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Updated world rankings show big divide ahead of Rugby World Cup draw
By Jon Newcombe
After this weekend’s breathless set of Quilter Nations Series matches, it will now take something special from the sides outside of the top six in the rankings to break into Band 1 for the Rugby World Cup 2027 draw on 3 December.
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The World Rugby Rankings will show a widening gap between those teams and the chasing pack when they are officially updated at noon on Monday.
Argentina’s record 52-28 win over Wales at the Principality Stadium has cemented their place in sixth, with their nearest challengers Australia even further off the pace. The top six teams at the conclusion of the Quilter Nations Series will be in Band 1, with sides ranked seventh to 12th in Band 2.
Los Pumas’ victory combined with the Wallabies’ loss to Italy in Udine sees the sides separated by 2.61 points, while Scotland, who are eighth, are nearly half a point further in arrears.
As Australia have the uneviable task of travelling to Ireland and France in their remaining two November fixtures, Scotland probably have the better chance of stealing their way into the top six at Argentina’s expense.
Scotland are at home to the Pumas next weekend in a game that could see a big momentum shift towards Gregor Townsend’s team if they win. Even then, though, the points reward might not be enough, as Scotland won’t get any points if they beat Tonga in their fourth and final November fixture to improve their rating further, while Argentina head to Allianz Stadium to take on England.
At the top, South Africa’s lead over the All Blacks has increased to 1.71 points, with their epic 14-man win over France in Paris worth half a point more than the All Blacks’ hard-fought 25-17 victory against Scotland.
Ireland and England remain in third and fourth, after wins over Japan and Fiji, and France are still fifth.
Wales hold on to 12th, the last of the places in Band 2, but their position is under threat from Japan, who they meet in another winner-takes-all contest in Cardiff next weekend.
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With 0.48 points knocked off their rating for Sunday’s defeat at the hands of Argentina, they are now just 0.32 points above Brave Blossoms in 13th.
Outside of the race to get into the top two bands, Uruguay were the biggest movers in the rankings, with Los Teros projected to climb four places to 15th as a result of their 26-8 victory against Portugal.
How the updated World Rugby Rankings will look on Monday:
1 South Africa 93.06 (+0.86)
2 New Zealand 91.35 (+0.36)
3 Ireland 88.85 (no change)
4 England 88.06 (+0.02)
5 France 86.95 (-0.86)
6 Argentina 84.30 (+0.48)
—–
7 Australia 81.69 (-1.21)
8 Scotland 81.21 (-0.36)
9 Fiji 81.15 (-0.02)
10 Italy 78.98 (+1.21)
11 Georgia 73.69 (no change)
12 Wales 73.57 (-0.48)
—–
13 Japan 73.25 (no change)
