All Blacks edge closer to Boks, Wales at all-time low in World Rankings
NEWS: World Rugby has published the latest rankings following the first weekend of international action, and while there are no dramatic changes, with South Africa still firmly in the frontrunners’ seat, Wales’ nightmare continues.
South Africa’s 42-24 victory over Italy kept them in a steady first place, but they are closely followed by New Zealand (second) and Ireland (third), who had wins against France (fourth) and Georgia.
The All Blacks did, however, manage to shave 0.62 points off the Springboks’ lead, which is now down to 1.8 points.
England hammered Argentina 35-12 in La Plata and moved up to fifth position. They scored four tries in the second period to earn themselves an impressive 1.99 points and open up a gap between them and Los Pumas.
Wales’ shock 19-24 defeat to Japan (their 18th in a row) in Tokyo sees them plummet down to 14th place – their lowest position in recent memory.
France dropped out of the top three after their narrow defeat to New Zealand, losing 0.62 points and holding on to the fourth spot by the skin of their teeth.
Having previously satat 12th, Matt Sherratt’s Welsh side has been overtaken by Japan and Samoa, plummeting them to unprecedented depths that will only serve to underline the feeling of accelerating decline within the Welsh game.
It’s a record losing streak for a Tier One nation, with this defeat also representing Japan’s first against top opposition for six years.
They are now just above the USA in 15th.
Scotland remain seventh, while Australia, who are gearing up to face the British and Irish Lions, hold firm in eighth.
Fiji and Italy round off the top 10, while Georgia sits in eleventh.
World Rankings:
1(1) South Africa 92.78
2(2) New Zealand 90.98
3(3) Ireland 89.83
4(4) France 88.90
5(6) England 86.72
6(5) Argentina 82.98
7(7) Scotland 82.36
8(8) Australia 82.08
9(9) Fiji 79.52
10(10) Italy 77.77
11(11) Georgia 74.69
12(13) Japan 73.70
13(14) Samoa 72.68
14(12) Wales 72.65
15(15) USA 70.02
