World Rankings: All Blacks miss out on higher position
SPOTLIGHT: The All Blacks just missed out on moving to second spot in World Rugby’s rankings.
All Blacks looked set to replace France in second place and cut the gap on Ireland to just 1.19 points when they led the Springboks 35-15 with seconds to go.
However, Albertus Smith scored a try to deny Ian Foster’s the more than 15-point margin they needed.
New Zealand’s rating increased to 90.32 points with the win, leaving them just 0.15 points behind Les Bleus, while South Africa remain in fourth place, still well clear of Scotland in fifth.
Meanwhile, Argentina moved above the Wallabies in the rankings after their 34-31 win in Paramatta.
Los Pumas have moved up to seventh with an improved rating of 81.49 points, while Australia’s rating has been cut to 80.32 points, resulting in them falling to eighth.
