All Blacks legend Sir John Kirwan has shaken up the rugby world with his latest international power rankings, fresh off the heels of a nail-biting Six Nations Championship. While France danced their way to the title with a heart-stopping 48-46 win against England, the rankings have sparked as much debate as the matches themselves.
Despite their Six Nations triumph, France didn't manage to leapfrog Ireland in the World Rugby rankings, who remain steadfast in third place, just ahead of the French squad. However, Kirwan, always one to stir the pot, places the All Blacks at the pinnacle, above even the top-ranked Springboks, suggesting a cheeky nudge towards newly appointed All Blacks coach Dave Rennie.
"Super Rugby has been really good. I don’t know from the New Zealand teams whether it’s because we’ve got a new coach, which always motivates you,"
Kirwan commented, hinting at a resurgence in New Zealand rugby following their lackluster 2025.
In Kirwan's eyes, the pecking order places New Zealand and South Africa at the top, followed by France and Ireland, with the final spot a toss-up between Australia and Scotland. England, shockingly, doesn't make the cut despite their previous winning streak, a testament to their recent dismal performances.
On the northern front, Kirwan expressed concerns about inconsistency, despite acknowledging the high quality of rugby. The shifting powers in the North were also highlighted by Springboks legend Victor Matfield, who weighed in on the ongoing tussle between France and Ireland.
"France is the team to beat, but at the moment I’m not quite getting that feeling. I think Ireland has probably gone past them in the Six Nations,"
Matfield observed, pointing out the rising form of the Irish, bolstered by players like Stuart McCloskey and Jack Crowley.
As the dust settles on one of the most thrilling Six Nations tournaments to date, the debates will undoubtedly continue in pubs and living rooms around the rugby-loving world. Kirwan's rankings, whether you agree with them or not, add an extra layer of spice to the ongoing international rugby narrative, setting the stage for an intriguing build-up to the 2027 Rugby World Cup.
2,100 posts
All Blacks legend Sir John Kirwan has shaken up the rugby world with his latest international power rankings, fresh off the heels of a nail-biting Six Nations Championship. While France danced their way to the title with a heart-stopping 48-46 win against England, the rankings have sparked as much debate as the matches themselves.
Despite their Six Nations triumph, France didn't manage to leapfrog Ireland in the World Rugby rankings, who remain steadfast in third place, just ahead of the French squad. However, Kirwan, always one to stir the pot, places the All Blacks at the pinnacle, above even the top-ranked Springboks, suggesting a cheeky nudge towards newly appointed All Blacks coach Dave Rennie.
"Super Rugby has been really good. I don’t know from the New Zealand teams whether it’s because we’ve got a new coach, which always motivates you,"
Kirwan commented, hinting at a resurgence in New Zealand rugby following their lackluster 2025.In Kirwan's eyes, the pecking order places New Zealand and South Africa at the top, followed by France and Ireland, with the final spot a toss-up between Australia and Scotland. England, shockingly, doesn't make the cut despite their previous winning streak, a testament to their recent dismal performances.
On the northern front, Kirwan expressed concerns about inconsistency, despite acknowledging the high quality of rugby. The shifting powers in the North were also highlighted by Springboks legend Victor Matfield, who weighed in on the ongoing tussle between France and Ireland.
"France is the team to beat, but at the moment I’m not quite getting that feeling. I think Ireland has probably gone past them in the Six Nations,"
Matfield observed, pointing out the rising form of the Irish, bolstered by players like Stuart McCloskey and Jack Crowley.As the dust settles on one of the most thrilling Six Nations tournaments to date, the debates will undoubtedly continue in pubs and living rooms around the rugby-loving world. Kirwan's rankings, whether you agree with them or not, add an extra layer of spice to the ongoing international rugby narrative, setting the stage for an intriguing build-up to the 2027 Rugby World Cup.