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All Blacks No.1 ranking on the line once again
By RugbyPass
The All Blacks could lose their number one ranking this weekend, if results don’t go their way in Perth and Twickenham.
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New Zealand have been number one since 16 November, 2009, but Wales could end the weekend as the number one team for the first time.
The All Blacks’ fate is still in their own hands, as they would need lose to Australia in Perth, while Wales would have to topple England in Twickenham.
They could, though, more than double their cushion at the top of the rankings depending on results in Perth, Dublin and London.
Australia can only improve their ranking if they win by more than 15 points and South Africa lose by the same margin in Argentina.
England and South Africa are the only other teams to occupy top spot.
South Africa could climb to third for first time since September 2017. The USA can reach a new high of 11th, while Japan could equal their best of ninth.
South Africa will drop below England again if both sides win this weekend. South Africa can drop to sixth if they lose by more than 15 points and Australia beat New Zealand by the same margin.
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Argentina will climb above Fiji into ninth with victory, even if Fiji also beat Samoa.
Argentina will slip out of the top 10 if they lose and Fiji and Japan both win.
Japan can equal their highest ever ranking of ninth if the above happens and Argentina also lose at home to South Africa.
USA will drop below Italy in defeat, even if the Azzurri also lose to Ireland in Dublin
The Eagles could also drop one in victory if Italy beat Ireland – unless they win by more than 15 points
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USA will climb two places to a new high of 11th if win by more than 15 points and would be higher ranked of the nations with Japan dropping to 12th in this scenario.
