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New World Rugby rankings don't make for pretty reading for England

By Online Editors
(Photo by Getty Images)

The new World Rugby rankings have been released and it’s not good news for England.

Eddie Jones’ stated goal for the England was to be the number one Test side by the time the 2019 World Cup came along, instead they’ve dropped to fourth, for the first time in two years.

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Things looked promising when England raced to an early 24-3 lead in Johannesburg against the Springboks, but they ended up losing 42-39 to slip to their fourth Test defeat in a row (the loss to the Barbarians is not counted).

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Australia are the team to leapfrog England, into third following their 18-9 win over Grand Slam champions Ireland, who remain in second despite the defeat in Brisbane.

In ending Ireland’s 12-match winning run the Wallabies earned 1.07 points and the difference between Joe Schmidt’s side and Australia is now down to one and a half points.

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And England will have to look over their shoulders as Wales are breathing down their necks too, a win of greater than 20-10 over Argentina in San Juan would have seen Warren Gatland’s side go ahead of England, but instead they trail by a mere six-hundredths of a point.

Despite South Africa’s win over England they stay seventh, behind Gregor Townsend’s Scotland, who beat Canada 48-10 in Edmonton.

Fiji have equalled their best ever World Rugby ranking, they’re up to ninth thanks to their narrow 24-22 win over Samoa in the World Rugby Pacific Nations Cup. Argentina’s loss to Wales see them slip to 10th.

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New Zealand sit top of standings, they trailed France 11-8 at half-time in Auckland, but responded with 44 unanswered points to seal an emphatic victory.

World Cup hosts Japan remain in 11th thanks to their 34-17 win over Italy. Conor O’Shea’s side remain 14th behind Georgia and Tonga.

World Rugby Rankings:

1.(1) NEW ZEALAND 93.99
2.(2) IRELAND 88.05
3.(4) AUSTRALIA 86.56
4.(3) ENGLAND 85.19
5.(5) WALES 85.13
6.(6) SCOTLAND 83.83
7.(7) SOUTH AFRICA 83.81
8.(8) FRANCE 79.10
9.(10) FIJI 77.93
10.(9) ARGENTINA 77.54

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Roger 3 hours ago
Why the Wallabies won't be following the Springboks' rush defence under Schmidt

You forget this is Rassie Erasmus who is still holding the Springbok keys. Even with Felix Jones orchestrating a really tight RWC SF last year. It still wasn't enough to get England past their particular Springbok Monkey in world cups. The reason is FJ was going off of what they did in 2019 not necessarily adapting to current Springboks. So yes, Australia can get passed England because let's be honest, England have a one track strategy, Springboks do not. Even with rush defense I wouldn't be surprised if Rassie continually tweaks it. Also bear in mind Rassie is happy to sacrifice a few mid year and inter World Cup matches to pin point how opposition plays and how to again tweak strategies to get his Springboks in peak performance for the next World Cup. As much as most teams like to win games in front of them and try to win everything, Rassie always makes sure to learn and train for the greatest showdown International Rugby has to offer. Tbh, most people remember World Cup wins and ignore intermediate losses as a result but will remember also WC losses, Ireland, even if they won games in the interim. So even if games are won against the Springboks, it's likely Rassie is just getting a feel for how opposition is moving and adapt accordingly…in time. For Rassie, a loss is never a loss because he uses it as a chance to learn and improve. Sometimes during a game, again like the England match in last year's Semi Final.

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