Rankings: The rise of Argentina

Editor

Argentina have moved up to fourth in the world rankings to make it an all-southern hemisphere top four for the first time in more than six years.

The Pumas climbed two places following their resounding Rugby World Cup quarter-final victory over Ireland at the Millennium Stadium on Sunday.

Argentina's 43-20 win against the Irish, combined with last-eight victories for New Zealand, South Africa and Australia against northern hemisphere sides, means the semi-finals will be an all-southern hemisphere affair for the first time in RWC history.

The Pumas leapfrogged Wales and Ireland in the rankings, which are published by World Rugby every Monday.

South Africa also climbed two places – from fifth to third – after their 23-19 win against Wales in Saturday's quarter-final at Twickenham.

Ireland were the biggest movers in the rankings overall, dropping from third to sixth as they were eliminated from the tournament, while Wales fell one place to fifth.

Under the points exchange system used to calculate rankings, sides take points off each other based on the match result; whatever one side gains, the other loses. Such points exchanges are doubled during the Rugby World Cup to recognise the unique importance of the event.

Away from Rugby World Cup 2015, Ukraine remained 30th in the rankings after a 30-14 win over Poland in Division 1B of the European Nations Cup, while the Poles fell one place to 35th.

Bosnia and Herzegovina edged Turkey 24-21 in Division 2D but this result did not impact the rankings as Turkey are not a World Rugby member union.

World Rankings:

1. New Zealand – 92.89
2. Australia – 90.93
3. South Africa – 86.80
4. Argentina – 85.07
5. Wales – 83.49
6. Ireland – 81.17
7. France – 79.77
8. England – 79.77
9. Scotland – 77.94
10. Japan – 77.05
11. Fiji – 76.96
12. Italy – 72.74
13. Tonga -71.60
14. Georgia – 71.45
15. Samoa – 70.36  
16 USA – 68.66       
17 Romania – 66.59    
18 Canada – 62.65     
19 Uruguay – 62.11 
20 Namibia – 61.75