WORLD RANKINGS: So close...yet so far
The 23-all Rugby Championship draw in Perth meant that Australia failed to move back into the top four.
The Wallabies were 20-10 up with just over half an hour left to play and looked on course to achieve the margin of victory needed to replace the Springboks in third place.
But, as they did against the All Blacks a fortnight ago, Michael Cheika’s men surrendered the lead and had to settle for the first stalemate between the sides in 16 years.
South Africa, ranked third, picked up 0.16 of a point for the draw, taking their total on to 85.81 points, while Australia are marginally worse off than before kick-off in Perth, in fifth on 84.05.
New Zealand's hard-fought 39-22 over Argentina meant that neither teams' ranking was affected.
New Zealand stay top on 95.21 points, over five clear of second-placed England, while Los Pumas are 10th on 78.00 points exactly.
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