On the rise: Wales
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Wales continued their climb back up the IRB World Rankings following last Saturday's victory in Rome and Ireland's loss to Scotland in the Six Nations.
The Welsh had slipped to 10th - equalling their lowest ever ranking - before ending an eight-match losing streak with victory over France a fortnight ago, but now sit just under half a rating point below fifth-placed France.
Had Ireland not slipped to defeat at Murrayfield - despite enjoying more than 70 per cent possession - then Wales would have remained seventh.
Ireland's second defeat of the Championship now leaves them just over half a rating point above Samoa and Argentina below them, while back-to-back wins for Scotland mean they are now within a point of the Irish now.
Scotland remain 10th and now have Tonga beneath them after Italy fell one place to 12th on the back of the Welsh defeat. The Azzurri, though, are still more than three rating points above Fiji below them.
England have also strengthened their position as the leading northern hemisphere nation in the rankings following the 23-13 win over France at Twickenham.
They now sit just over four points above France and are gradually closing the deficit to Australia above.
The biggest climbers of the week, though, were Portugal who rose two places to 21st after beating Belgium 18-12 in Lisbon for their first win of the European Nations Cup 2014 Division 1A, a competition which will determine the region's two qualifiers for Rugby World Cup 2015.
Defending champions Georgia have strengthened their position in 17th by beating hosts Russia 23-6 in Sochi, while 18th-ranked Romania increased the cushion over Spain below them after winning their encounter 25-15 in Gijon.
IRB World Rankings:
1 New Zealand 90.08
2 South Africa 86.94
3 Australia 86.87
4 England 85.30
5 France 81.20
6 Wales 80.74
7 Ireland 79.28
8 Samoa 78.71
9 Argentina 78.71
10 Scotland 78.19
11 Tonga 76.10
12 Italy 74.93
13 Fiji 71.52
14 Canada 71.41
15 Japan 70.09
16 USA 68.32
17 Georgia 67.41
18 Romania 64.94
19 Spain 61.13
20 Russia 60.92
21 Portugal 59.38
22 Uruguay 59.37
23 Belgium 58.82
24 Namibia 58.45
25 Chile 57.02
Comments
kybone says...
ABlack - It will be a record because the rankings have only been in use since 03', and i think NZ have been top for almost all of the 10years since then.
JamieTheProp - Of course they are relevent. They show how teams are performing over a period of time. Why would you not be interested in where you stand in the world rankings? Unless, of course, its because you're not doing very well.
On the point of having the WC draw so early- I have heard one suggestion that it was to allow teams to choose a suitable 'base' and to prebook hotels etc. Rubbish. In the Football version of the WC the final qualifiers aren't confirmed until less than 6 months before the event, and the draw is made after that! They manage fine, and with more teams participating. On a good note, i suppose it actually makes the WC a bit more interesting ( as if it needed to be) as the mixture of teams will be a bit more random rather than having all 4 pools made up of 2 heavyweights, a dark horse, and 2 also rans. Some good teams are going to exit at the pool stage, which may not be what you want, but i like it when someone unexpected makes the quarters.
Posted 18:15 26th February 2013
jontheref says...
I suspect they will not have the 2019 seedings as early as December 2016.
They have made a pigs ear of it being so early this time.
Interesting to note, no one has posted it was a good idea to have it so early?
Posted 13:52 26th February 2013
Facec says...
@ Artherfish
Quality.....
Posted 13:19 26th February 2013
rugby_rockstar says...
The world rankings? They won't matter again until November 2016, when presumably the Japan 2019 RWC seeding will take place.
Posted 12:58 26th February 2013
TVaddict says...
@ABlack
We all know the All Blacks are consistently amazing, what's your point?
@Artherfish
I imagine the meeting went like that but with them rolling in a pile of our money, while laughing in a slightly unhinged way.
Posted 12:33 26th February 2013
NHsaints says...
Stupid that the WC draw was made so early, now a resurgent England, a resurgent Wales or a no longer injury stricken Australia will have to contend with one another and one of those teams (3 of the top 6) will be knocked out before the quarter finals...ludicrous.
Posted 08:03 26th February 2013
Artherfish says...
I wonder how that IRB meeting went. "Time to decide when to do the draw for the next World Cup gentlemen. I suggest we wait until reasonably close to the competition so we know more clearly which teams should be seeded well. It will also maintain interest in the world rankings and keep them relevant." ... With respect Mr chairman I have an utterly stupid and incompetent sugestion to make. Would it not be better to do the draw soon after the most recent competition. You know the point in the cycle where the teams are rebuilding and the form is all mixed up. When teams are still working out how to progress after retiring players are still playing but due to leave and all the new players aren't up to speed yet. That way we get a ridiculous draw that won't reflect anything, will not be relevant at the time of the competition and continue to damage the reputation of world rugby. After all we have a history of complete incompetence to protect!" " Good point any inteligent members of the board wish to counter that..... None present ..... Good ! All in favour of being stupid idiots again say I...... I ..!!!!!!
Posted 07:37 26th February 2013
BDAUSSIE says...
The IRB rankings ATM just sprove how foolish it is to ahve the world cup draw so far off the tournament. You have 3 of the top 6 teams in one pool.. madness! it really is a nightmare draw for Australia because England (and probably Wales too) will have home ground advantage.
...sigh
Posted 23:09 25th February 2013
ABlack says...
How long has NZ been No1 ranked team in the world?? Is the current tenure a record? Can someone please enlighten
Posted 20:36 25th February 2013
JamieTheProp says...
Irrelevant now that the World Cup rankings are decided and the groups drawn.
Will be relevant again in 4 years I guess.
Posted 18:17 25th February 2013