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World Rankings: All Blacks fall, Eagles soar
By Jon Newcombe
South Africa’s advantage at the top of the World Rugby Men’s Rankings has been increased to two points after Saturday’s 29-20 win over England, but their nearest rivals are now Ireland, not New Zealand.
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The Springboks increased their rating to 92.78 points, while Ireland beat Argentina 22-19, which puts them second on 90.78 points. Meanwhile, the All Blacks were edged out, 30-29 by France, and their new rating of 90.09 points drops them down to third,
Fourth-placed France have moved to within two points of breaking into the top three following their win in Paris, while the rest of the positions in the top 10 remain the same with Georgia unable to force their way in despite getting off to a promising start in their match against Italy.
The Lelos led 17-6 at half-time in Genoa but Italy reeled off 14 points in the second half to stave off defeat and win 20-17. Georgia would have moved into the top 10 for the first time in history had they avoided defeat because Wales were subsequently beaten 52-20 by Australia in the later of the two Sunday kick-offs.
While Wales’ record 11th straight loss did not lead to them dropping to an all-time rankings low of 12th, the gap between themselves and the Lelos is down to just 0.16 of a point.
The USA produced one of three best results outside of the top 10 and gained one place as a result of their 36-17 win against Tonga. The Eagles have replaced Portugal, who were well beaten by Scotland, in 15th, which is their highest position since Rugby World Cup 2019. Japan also claimed one place, to move to 13th, after beating Uruguay 36-20.
The biggest climbers were the Netherlands, whose steady progress under Lyn Jones continued with a 20-17 win against last year’s Rugby World Cup debutants Chile. The Dutch, who will be hoping to make their tournament debut in Australia in 2027, have surged up the rankings to 24th, a gain of three places.
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This is what the Top 10 of the World Rugby Men’s Rankings will look when they are officially updated at 12:00 GMT on Monday:
- South Africa 92.78 (+0.32)
- Ireland 90.78 (+0.20)
- New Zealand 90.09 (-1.13)
- France 88.08 (+1.13)
- Argentina 85.40 (-0.20)
- Scotland 82.70 (-)
- England 82.31 (-0.32)
- Australia 82.17 (+1.04)
- Fiji 80.07 (+0.01)
- Italy 78.92 (+0.24)
It is Official that Ireland are the most overrated team in World Rugby right now! 😁
In seriousness, from a NZ perspective:
1 South Africa
2 France
3 New Zealand
4 Ireland
5 Argentina
6 Scotland
7 Australia
8 England
9 Fiji
10 Italy
In terms of trends Australia are on the way up and Ireland on the way down. The rankings don’t yet bear this out, but Australia’s next two matches might make it real. Notably, Ireland have an ageing side but Australia a young side.
I think, from a NZ perspective again, that we have the potential to go top again, but South Africa and France are clearly in the way currently. We do get to play both teams in series in 2025 though, so well worth aiming for that.
Ireland won in France by 21 points, NZ lost by 1 point. Ireland have won last 2 versus France. NZ have lost last 3. NZ lost x 2 in SA and Ireland was 1-1. NZ lost to Argentina, Ireland beat Argentina.
If you guys could just quote the Ranking calculation rule that you think is conspiring with the TMOs against poor old NZ, that would be helpful. You lot do need to get over the '22 series annihilation by Ireland. I am sure you 'Global Superstars' and 'Humble Heroes' will get the reassurance your confused ego needs soon. Thoughts and prayers!
The ranking system suck. I can never agree with this antiquated system. It's not reflecting the real rankings. It's been a contentious point for at least a decade or more. It's why with every WC everyone is angry by where they are sorted.
Unfortunately, how to implement a new points system and what type of system will not be easy.
Shame that the rankings don't reflect that 100% of the wins France has had against NZ have been home games. However I think top 4 rankings will be in a state of flux for some time, such is the closeness of the top sides. The next 4 can trouble anyone on a good day, but their results have been too erratic to rank them higher.
JESUS: THEY DO REFLECT THE HOME/AWAY ADVANTAGE BY ADDING 3 RANKING POINTS TO THE HOME TEAMS RANKING TOTAL FOR THE PURPOSE OF THAT MATCH CALCULATION.
Can you NZ 'Supporters' please read how the rankings are calculated before posting such nonsense?
NZ should certainly be above Ireland now
No they certainly shouldn't. They lost to SA x 2, Argentina and to France. Although Ireland lost to NZ in Dublin (and lost a LOT of points over it) the last match we played was an away win in SA and during the year beat France away by 21 points.
Can you guys please go to the rankings and quote the calculation rule you actually disagree with? This is starting to look very very stupid. Surely genuine NZ supporters are smarter than this?
How bizarre is it that NZ have an extremely narrow loss to a fine French team and end up ranked below an Irish team they convincingly beat just a week earlier. Ireland were lucky to scrape home over Argentina. PREDICTION Ireland will be third in 6 nations behind France & England. NZ will win Southern championship ahead of SA, OZ & Argies
Re Bizarre: If you actually look at how the rankings are calculated your befuddledness might disappear. You get awarded points for winning and deducted points for losing.
The points total is the culmination of the history of these win/losses. You will recall that NZ lost this year to SA x 2 and to ARG x 1.
Can you guys just look at how the calculations happen before the conspiracy implications start getting farted out?
NZ do not get overcredited for one game albeit a convincing win against Ireland. Likewise Ireland don't get overpunished. The same rules apply to them as everyone else.
Ireland lost narrowly to NZ in the RWC but the points total was doubled and the loss was worth 4-5 points. Ireland came back from being well back in third to get ahead of the rankings again even with the PREDICTION that we would be 3rd in 6 nations.
Ireland got a total of 0.2 points for beating a good Argentina team.
England and France have to play in Dublin. Wait and see. The NZ result could have been a blessing in disguise for Ireland. Farrell chose to play the team that lost on Pretoria rather than the younger team that won in Durban.
Trying to be clairvoyant now? Wishful thinking
Counter Prediction:
England will be third in the 6N behind France and Ireland. The RC will be a lot closer than you think. Don’t be surprised if Australia pulls ahead of NZ.