Ranking permutations for Round Three of Rugby Champs
RANKINGS PREVIEW: There is a lot to play for in Round Three of the 2022 Rugby Championship.
New Zealand will climb above South Africa into third place in World Rugby’s rankings if they avoid defeat against Argentina and the Springboks lose to Australia.
However, New Zealand will drop to fifth for the second time this month in defeat, equalling their lowest-ever position since the rankings were introduced in October 2003.
South Africa will drop two places if they lose by more than 15 points and New Zealand also beat Argentina.
The Springboks cannot improve on third with victory as they would still trail France above them by at least 0.60 rating points.
Australia will climb above Scotland into sixth place if they avoid defeat against South Africa and Argentina fail to beat New Zealand.
If both Australia and Argentina win then Los Pumas’ winning margin must be less than 15 points for Australia to climb to sixth. However, the Wallabies could drop to a new low of ninth in defeat.
Argentina cannot fall from ninth place as they will lose only 0.03 rating points with a defeat by more than 15 points in New Zealand.
Michael Cheika’s side will jump two places – above Wales and Scotland – if they draw with New Zealand.
A win by more than 15 points will lift Argentina to sixth, a position they have not occupied since September 2021. A smaller margin would be sufficient if Australia lose at home.
