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Records are made to be broken and Agustín Creevy broken a record in France on Sunday. Coming on as a replacement for Los Pumas against Japan, Creevy made his 19th career appearance in a Rugby World Cup match.
Argentina were 39-27 winners in the Pool D clash in Nantes. The 19th Rugby World Cup appearance for Creevy took him above the prior record of 18 held by former hooker Mario Ledesma. Creevy’s first Rugby World Cup was 2011 which was Ledesma’s last.
Creevy became Argentina’s first-choice hooker in between Rugby World Cups 2011 and 2015. He also became captain and led the team to the Semi Finals of Rugby World Cup 2015. Julián Montoya overtook Creevy during Rugby World Cup 2019 itself to become the starting hooker.
Rugby World Cup 2023 is Montoya’s third Rugby World Cup and Creevy’s fourth. The product of the San Luis club now stands on his own with 19 appearances in World Cups. It may grow as Argentina qualified for the Quarter Finals. Los Pumas face Wales in Marseille to determine who will advance to the final four.
Creevy made his test debut back in 2005. It was against Japan but it was not at hooker. Creevy’s natural position is flanker. His first three test caps were in the back-row. He converted to hooker in 2009. In 2003 he became the first-ever Puma to 100 test caps.
Rugby World Cup 2023 has seen Creevy playing as a replacement against England, Samoa and Japan in addition to starting against Chile. He was a try scorer in the win against the Andean neighbors.
In terms of all players at Rugby World Cups, the record appearance number stands at 23. It is held by New Zealander Sam Whitelock. He reached 23 appearances last week against Uruguay. Former New Zealand captain Richie McCaw earned 22 World Cup caps as did Jason Leonard who was a world champion with England in 2003.
Creevy is the 8th most capped player in World Cup history. He is tied with Adam Ashley Cooper (Australia), Mike Catt (England), Sonny Bill Williams (New Zealand) and Jonny Wilkinson (England).
If Creevy plays against Wales and if Argentina reach the Semi Finals then he will move up the all-time appearance standings. Schalk Burger (South Africa), George Gregan (Australia) and Keven Mealamu (New Zealand) all made 20 appearances while Alun Wyn Jones (Wales) made 21.
ARGENTINA – MOST APPEARANCES IN RUGBY WORLD CUPS
| PLAYER | POS | WORLD CUPS | CAPS |
| Agustín Creevy | HK | 2011, 2015, 2019, 2023 | 19 |
| Mario Ledesma | HK | 1999, 2003, 2007, 2011 | 18 |
| Felipe Contepomi | FH/CE | 1999, 2003, 2007, 2011 | 17 |
| Juan Martín Fernández Lobbe | FL | 2007, 2011, 2015 | 17 |
| Martín Scelzo | TH | 1999, 2003, 2007, 2011 | 16 |
| Horacio Agulla | WI | 2007, 2011, 2015 | 14 |
| Agustín Pichot | SH | 1995, 1999, 2003, 2007 | 14 |
| Patricio Albacete | LO | 2003, 2007, 2011 | 14 |
| Juan Manuel Leguizamón | FL | 2007, 2011, 2015, 2019 | 14 |
