World Rankings: NZ's rise to No.1 confirmed
NEWS: The All Blacks are officially at the top of the World Rugby Men’s Rankings for the first time since October 2019.
The All Blacks’ 36-13 win over Argentina at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane combined with South Africa’s 17-30 defeat to Australia resulted in a 2.37-point swing, enabling them to swap positions with the Springboks.
New Zealand started the weekend 2.17 rating points behind the reigning world champions in second place but they now hold a slender lead worth just two-tenths of a point.
Ian Foster’s side also doubled their advantage at the top of the Rugby Championship to 10 points after maintaining their perfect start to the competition with a fourth straight bonus-point victory.
Meanwhile, Australia are up to third for the first time since June 2018 after completing back-to-back wins against South Africa.
In what was a fitting way to mark Michael Hooper’s record 60th appearance as captain, the Wallabies scored four tries, with Len Ikitau and Marika Koroibete getting two apiece.
The rest of the points came from Quade Cooper’s boot as Australia made it 10 wins in a row at the Suncorp.
England and Ireland have fallen to fourth and fifth in the rankings.
