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World Rankings: How Ireland can become number one
By Jon Newcombe
Ireland could return to the top of the world rankings just under a year since they last held the position without hitting a ruck in anger this weekend.
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Ireland’s team’s 14-month reign as the world’s number one team came to an end last October when they were knocked out in the Rugby World Cup 2023 quarter-finals by New Zealand, to be replaced by South Africa.
The world champions have remained there ever since but the Springboks could be knocked off their perch if things go badly wrong against New Zealand in the third round of The Rugby Championship.
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Ellis Park has been a happy hunting ground for the All Blacks in recent years, and they won 35-23 on their last visit there in August 2022.
A slight improvement on that margin of victory by the four-time defending champions would result in the Springboks losing their number one status to Ireland, with the All Blacks also climbing above them into second place.
The All Blacks would gain 2.60 points and increase their rating to 91.32 points if this scenario pans out. But that would still leave them 0.80 points adrift of Ireland’s rating of 92.12 points. South Africa’s rating, meanwhile, would drop from 93.11 points to 90.50.
There could be further changes to the rankings elsewhere, especially if a big away win in Johannesburg is repeated in the other three Test matches taking place this weekend.
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Australia, for instance, will move up two places to seventh if they also win by more than 15 points against Argentina in Saturday’s other Rugby Championship fixture in Buenos Aires. Any form of victory would be enough for them to leapfrog Italy into eighth. Argentina cannot improve on their present position of sixth.
Tonga have never won at Apia in the professional era but if they are able to do that, and win well in their opening match in the Asahi Super Dry Pacific Nations Cup, they will overtake Samoa in the rankings. Samoa could fall by as many as three places to 16th in defeat.
Meanwhile, Canada will become the highest-ranked North American team for the first time in nearly eight years if they go and do something that they haven’t done since 2013 – beat the USA on American soil, as long as it is by a margin of more than 15 points.
A smaller margin of victory in Carson, California would still be enough to lift Canada above Romania into the top 20, a position they have not occupied since February 2019. But yet another defeat would see them drop below Chile into 22nd.
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Of the home teams, only USA can improve their position in victory. A win by more than 15 points would take the Men’s Eagles above Spain and into 18th place.
Both Pacific Nations Cup matches are being shown live and for free on RugbyPass TV.
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🤣 I stand corrected!
It's only humour when I'm on the receiving end I guess?
And humour's not your forté either ...
Amazed you were even able to turn the clue-o-meter on son, if you're that dim. 😉
OK. You're blocked for trolling.
I can yes. You lost to one of the worst AB teams in ages in a Wc quarter in a Wc you were suppose to win.🤣 10 in a row is 100%. Actually 8 in a row as 2 were pool exits🤭 Don't lose heart! Ireland will get there one day. Caillteanas tinn?
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The clue-o-meter reads zero.
So were you trolling? Or can you substantiate your claim that we choked in RWC 2023?
Ireland always rely on permutations to become number 1.
The Boks and All Blacks WIN to get their spot.
False, idiotic, dishonest comment. Ireland WON 17 games in a row between world cup. We beat NZ (twice), SA (twice), France (twice), England (twice), Australia (twice), Scotland (twice), etc, etc in that period.
Ireland are going to win the world CUP 🥤.
You may be on to something.
I mean they have never lost a semi-final or a final in a World Cup. So they have to be a favourite...
Ireland can become no.1 by doing nothing.
Great article.
Maybe IRL could sit out the entire season...perma-no 1
I will be happy with 2-0 to SA in the next two weeks. For a few reasons.
this was sarcasm. Enjoy the match on Saturday
That would apply more to SA as they lead, if you think it should apply to Ireland you must be factoring in an SA loss this weekend. I believe the ranking reduces or you disappear off the rankings after a period of time or avoid competing with peer nations.
that doesn't make sense!