World rankings: All Blacks can close the gap on Springboks while Fiji target an equal all-time high
World Rugby rankings and an image of All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson.
With the Autumn Nations Series kicking off this weekend with England hosting the All Blacks and Scotland taking on Fiji, we take a look at how the Test matches could impact the World Rugby rankings.
Heading into the November internationals, Ireland are ranked as the best team in the world and are closely followed by the Springboks.
The All Blacks are a bit of a distance away in third place and are followed by France, England, Argentina, Scotland, Italy, Fiji and Australia, respectively, who make up the top ten.
With four of the top ten ranked teams in action this weekend, there is a possibility for a bit of movement in the World Rugby rankings. Here’s how.
World rankings permutations
England and New Zealand cannot improve on their ranking positions regardless of the margin of victory on Saturday but both nations can close the gap on those above them.
The All Blacks could move within 1.27 rating points of South Africa in second place if they defeat Steve Borthwick’s charges by a margin of more than 15 points. A smaller margin of victory for Scott Robertson’s men will see them sit 2.1 rating points behind the Boks.
If the All Blacks do beat England at Twickenham by more than 15 points, then the hosts will fall one place into sixth with Argentina the beneficiaries and will occupy their highest position in more than eight years. Los Pumas were last ranked fifth in June 2016 on the back of a home win against France.
Regardless of the result in Twickenham, New Zealand will remain in third place as a heavy defeat to the Red Rose will still leave them with a 0.19-point buffer over the fourth-ranked France.
As for England, they cannot improve their ranking either but a victory of more than 15 points over the All Blacks will leave them trailing France by just 0.01 rating points – a smaller margin will see them trail Les Bleus by 0.53 rating points.
Meanwhile, Fiji have the opportunity to equal their highest-ever position in the world rankings if they claim a third-ever win over Scotland.
A victory of any kind will see the Fijians move ahead of Scotland into seventh place in the rankings, their joint-highest-ever position and one they last occupied in October 2023 following their passage to the Rugby World Cup quarter-finals. A draw will also be enough for Fiji to climb above Italy into eighth.
As for Scotland, they cannot fall lower than eighth in defeat, regardless of the margin, as their rating will remain above 80 points to keep them above Italy.
Like England and New Zealand, Gregor Townsend’s men are unable to improve on their current ranking, seventh, in victory as they cannot gain enough points to catch either Argentina or a beaten England above them.
England (5) 85.40 v New Zealand (3) 88.70
England win by 15 points or less – England 86.43, New Zealand 87.67
England win by more than 15 points – England 86.95, New Zealand 87.15
Draw – England 85.43, New Zealand 88.67
New Zealand win by 15 points or less – England 84.43, New Zealand 89.67
New Zealand win by more than 15 points – England 83.95, New Zealand 90.15
How to watch England v All Blacks at Twickenham: TV channel, live stream, kick-off time
Scotland (7) 82.82 v Fiji (9) 79.64
Scotland win by 15 points or less – Scotland 83.20, Fiji 79.26
Scotland win by more than 15 points – Scotland 83.39, Fiji 79.07
Draw – Scotland 82.20, Fiji 80.26
Fiji win by 15 points or less – Scotland 81.20, Fiji 81.26
Fiji win by more than 15 points – Scotland 80.39, Fiji 82.07
Latest World Rankings as of 1/11/2024
1 Ireland 92.12
2 South Africa 91.77
3 New Zealand 88.70
4 France 86.96
5 England 85.40
6 Argentina 84.30
7 Scotland 82.82
8 Italy 79.98
9 Fiji 79.64
10 Australia 79.32
11 Wales 76.04
12 Georgia 74.10
13 Samoa 72.68
14 Japan 72.31
15 Portugal 70.61
16 Tonga 68.12
17 Uruguay 67.39
18 Spain 66.29
19 USA 65.70
20 Romania 62.62
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