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The name Marcos Kremer can now appear in the book of Guinness World Records. Rugby World Cup 2023 saw Kremer making more tackles than any other player at any other Rugby World Cup. The Pumas flanker smashed the world record for most tackles, setting a new mark of nine more than the previous record.
Kremer made 92 tackles for Argentina at Rugby World Cup 2023. Thus surpassed the previous record held by Welsh N8 Toby Faletau who made 83 tackles at Rugby World Cup 2011. Faletau is now the second highest tackler at a World Cup tournament ahead of England’s Ben Earl who made 80 tackles at Rugby World Cup 2023.
While Kremer is first and Falteau is second, Earl is now joint third on the all-time list. Earl’s 80 tackles matches that of Colin Charvis for Wales at Rugby World Cup 2003. Two players round out the top five with another tie. Alun Wyn Jones made 79 tackles for Wales at Rugby World Cup 2019 and Thierry Dusautoir did so for France at Rugby World Cup 2011.
France 2023 was the second World Cup for Marcos Kremer. The 26-year-old made a low of 10 tackles and a high of 19 tackles in Los Pumas’ matches at the World Cup in France. His age combined with his abilities mean he may well have two further full cycles left in the tank. He ended Rugby World Cup 2023 with 64 caps.
The giant from Concordia in Enter Ríos province is well-known for his defense. Yet, he did more than set a new mark for most completed tackles in a Rugby World Cup; Kremer stepped-up when his country needed him most.
Argentina lost Santiago Grondona ahead of the World Cup. Grondona was injured in Los Pumas’ final warm-up match which was against Spain in Madrid. Grondona was Argentina’s regular understudy to Kremer in 2022-2023. Grondona’s spot on the World Cup roster went to Joaquín Oviedo who previously had just one test cap.
The situation became more critical against Japan. Kremer’s flanker partner Pablo Matera was forced off injured in the first-half. This saw the Rugby World Cup ended for the 98 time capped Matera who is a Super Rugby champion with the Crusaders. Kremer stepped-up to lead the defense with distinction.
Kremer played in Argentina’s seven games in the tournament in France. Los Pumas started with a heavy loss against England in Marseille. The team rebounded to defeat Samoa in St Etienne and then claim wins over both Chile and Japan in Nantes.
Los Pumas finished the pool stage in second position in Pool D. This saw them book a Quarter Finals against Pool C winners, Wales in Marseille. The South Americans defeated Wales to advance to the Semi Finals for the third time in their history. New Zealand hammered Argentina in the Semi Final in Paris while England edged Los Pumas in the Bronze Final.
| DATE | FIXTURE | MARCOS KREMER TACKLES |
| Sep 09 | England vs Argentina (Marseille) | 10 |
| Sep 22 | Samoa vs Argentina (St Etienne) | 11 |
| Sep 30 | Chile vs Argentina (Nantes) | 10 |
| Oct 08 | Japan vs Argentina (Nantes) | 13 |
| Oct 14 | Wales vs Argentina (Marseille) | 11 |
| Oct 20 | New Zealand vs Argentina (Paris) | 19 |
| Oct 27 | England vs Argentina (Paris) | 18 |
