IRB Rankings (18.03.2019)

1. New Zealand - 95.54
   
2. Wales - 89.96
   
3. Ireland - 88.69
4. England - 86.27
5. South Africa - 84.58
6. Australia - 82.40
7. Scotland - 80.17
8. France - 79.42
9. Fiji - 77.95
10. Argentina - 77.05
11. Japan - 75.24
12. Georgia - 74.42
13. Tonga - 73.02
14. Italy - 72.04
15. USA - 71.71
16. Uruguay - 69.09
17. Samoa - 68.78
18. Romania - 65.84
19. Spain - 65.11
20. Russia - 63.72

At this stag e about as useless until SH countries have also played tests,   

Are you so desperate to be contrary? What we learn is that Ireland's hold on the NH has been broken, not because they are poor, but because Wales and England are stronger than this time last year. We also see the continuation of a gap emerging. After New Zealand, there is a new consolidated trio a cut above the rest of the next best teams. South Africa are not likely to break into that top 4 any time soon. The difference between 4 and 5, and then 5 and 6 is staggering. 

Ceradunce the non-thinking idiot.

If either the Springboks or the  Wallabies beat the All Blacks they could become no 2 on the log,  

Fact is the situation can only be really assessed at the end of the test rugby year of 2019 is really what is relevant.  After the6-Nations it can only really affect NH teams - nobody else.    

The world does not consist of NH rugby only - even some members think that it is the case.  Get real - please.

Ceradunce the non-thinking idiot.

If either the Springboks or the  Wallabies beat the All Blacks they could become no 2 on the log,  

Fact is the situation can only be really assessed at the end of the test rugby year of 2019 is really what is relevant.  After the6-Nations it can only really affect NH teams - nobody else.    

The world does not consist of NH rugby only - even some members think that it is the case.  Get real - please.

Eina ...... the gap between the ABs & the rest of us is huge.

If either the Springboks or the  Wallabies beat the All Blacks they could become no 2 on the log, 

In my fiddling with the rankings calculator (and I'm no expert with it), that seems to be likely only if both SA and Australia beat NZ twice, and even then only SA looks likely to have a shot at #2. Impossible to include all possible permutations, of course, but NZ will have to tank spectacularly for that to happen. If they beat the Boks even once, no chance.

The RC is abridged , just as it was in 2015. 

Ah! Forgot about that, cheers.

Ou Maaikie the Rugby Philosopher, could you explain to us why you are not prepared to offer a verdict on where we are as far as the rankings are concerned, before the completion of the EOYT. I think I know where you are going to go with this, but I would like to hear it in any case.