Last updated: 3 October 2026
Reviewed by Jordan Morley, FA Level 2 Football Coach
A goal-kicker's success rate is goals kicked divided by attempts, expressed as a percentage. Each successful kick is worth two points, so a high percentage is hugely valuable over a season. Elite rugby league kickers convert around 80% or more. A kicker's rate depends partly on where their team scores tries — conversions from out wide are far harder than those in front of the posts.
- Goals kicked ÷ attempts
- Each goal is worth 2 points
- Elite kickers convert 80%+
- Wide conversions are much harder
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A goal-kicking percentage above 75% is considered reliable at the professional rugby level, and the best specialist kickers (like Dan Carter or Jonny Wilkinson at their peaks) consistently posted percentages above 80% across entire seasons — given how often matches are decided by single-digit margins, a kicker's conversion rate on penalties and conversions can directly decide results.
FAQ
What's considered a good goal-kicking percentage in rugby?
Above 75% is considered solid at professional level; elite specialist kickers often maintain percentages in the 80-85% range across a full season.
Does kicking percentage usually drop under pressure?
Individual kickers vary, but high-pressure, match-deciding kicks (last-minute penalties, conversions to tie or win) are widely recognised as mentally harder, and some statistical analyses show slightly lower conversion rates in these specific situations compared to routine kicks.