It’s official, the Wallabies are better than Ireland
The latest World Rugby rankings are out – and, if nothing else, have shown why releasing them at this time of the year is a somewhat futile exercise.
However, they have provided good news if you’re an Australian rugby fan: despite suffering through a couple of horrible seasons by the Wallabies, your team has moved up to third. Irish fans will probably be scratching their heads at how the Aussies, even by virtue of a decimal place, have leaped ahead of them given their two latest respective test seasons.
Current World Rugby rankings:
- New Zealand — 95.52
- England — 90.14
- Australia — 85.59
- Ireland — 85.39
- South Africa — 85.03
- Scotland — 82.47
- Wales — 81.73
- France — 79.63
- Fiji — 79.48
- Argentina — 76.93
On the surface, it makes little sense – the Wallabies have been crushed by the All Blacks once this season and failed to put away, up until last weekend anyway, a weak Springbok team. They were also beaten at home by Scotland, a remarkable result given that the Scots were missing their best players due to the British & Irish Lions tour.
Ireland’s last season saw them famously beat the All Blacks and halt England’s march to a world test rugby record. Even though it doesn’t count towards the rankings, it’s worth remembering that they provided a glut of players to the Lions squad that went within a whisker of upsetting the All Blacks.
It seems that the only reason that the Wallabies have squeezed ahead of Ireland is simply because they’ve actually been playing over the last few months rather than actually being any good. Remember, this is the same Australian rugby set up that has just had to cut one of its teams from a Super Rugby competition in which they went winless against New Zealand sides in 2017.
The only somewhat legitimate reasoning as to why the Aussies are ahead would be to assess them on their performance at the last World Cup, where they made the final. But that completely contradicts England’s current position of second, after they famously bombed out of the tournament in the pool stage.
The All Blacks comfortably sit atop the standings, which comes as no surprise after yet another Rugby Championship victory. They’ve occupied the number one spot every year since they were established, dropping to a low of third following the 2003 World Cup.
If anything useful can be read into the list, it’s Argentina’s staggering fall to 10th. This was their position the last time the rankings came out, and shows that a malaise has truly set in to the South American game. The Jaguares entry into Super Rugby seems to have been completely counterproductive, and the national side is about as fun to watch as a field of turnips growing. They now sit behind the likes of Fiji, Scotland and Wales – all sides Los Pumas should go in as comfortable favourites against, given their charge to a World Cup semi final only two seasons ago.
Of course, what this all shows is that releasing the rankings before the November tests means nothing. It doesn’t even do anything to promote interest in the upcoming fixtures, given that Ireland and the Wallabies aren’t even crossing paths to settle the score as to who should be higher on the ladder.
So if it’s not even serving to contrive any sort of intrigue, you’d have to ask why World Rugby bothered releasing this list at all.
Comments on RugbyPass
Kinda strange that he wasn’t with a premiership team or a higher level of rugby? Start playing late or something? With that kind of size and athleticism you’d think someone would have picked him up?
2 Go to commentsShows how much attitude matters. Last week the Brumbies got done, this week they dominated the tournament leaders, who were likely thinking they could cruise to victory.
4 Go to commentsA Turtle has more pace and leg drive than Owen Franks, so it’s a good thing he only had to run 90 metres for that try.
2 Go to commentsOh Tamati Tua was in the vastly over-rated Leon MacDonalds Blues system? Well, no wonder he was wasted, much like Emoni Narawa and Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens under MacDonald. now look at them. Good thing Tua isn’t eligible, the Aussies latch on to any player who isn’t tied down.
4 Go to commentsMark Telea is a lot of things, but a defensive juggernaut has never been one of them. There will be far bigger tests in that regard for the youngster.
10 Go to commentsLove and respect to Fiji but not a chance outside of 7s
4 Go to commentsGood summation Ned. Agree the Canes were out-muscled for once (except at the scrum!) by a focused Brumbies outfit. Tua deserves consideration for higher honors after the way he humbled Jordie and the Canes defense. Thankfully, his lack of eligibility for Oz keeps him from Joe’s plans. While I also agree the injuries affected the Canes performance, some players seemed to lack focus and intensity for this match. Perhaps after the Blues demolished the Brumbies, they thought it was going to be easy? A good reminder that any slip up in preparation can have a big affect on the result. Brumbies deserved that win.
4 Go to commentsKarl Dixon should never have been appointed this fixture, absolute disgrace, He’s not much of a referee anyway, didn't have the balls to send his mate care off
5 Go to commentsBrilliant article! Harry of 8/9
2 Go to comments‘UK athletes' have been in the NFL from the start.
2 Go to commentsIt’s going to be Scott Barrett. He’s the coaches mate and captain of a previously elite team. Ardie a great option but scooter has worked with the coach and Ardie still as big a leader as needed.
23 Go to commentsI commend Colin Scotts bio All Balls. He was the first Aussie to make it to NFL. But he was poached and did a full apprenticeship at the University of Hawaii. He was 130kgs surfed played 1st grade cricket etc. big guy by normal but not NFL standards and a top athlete. Even then the nfl were picking up Tongans and Samoans for their natural size and explosive power. They want explosive power not cardio from the big boys so a guy like Taniela Tupou would have been good if picked up young enough. He has fast twitch and they’d bulk the little lad up and give him something to do. soccer teams set up academies and look for Over Sara’s talent eg Messi was at Barcelona since a teenager and harry kewell went to Leeds as a teenager like 16 or something.
11 Go to commentsThe article alludes to the fact that this isn’t about picking a captain. But picking a great captain. So who would make for a great All Black captain - not just an obvious or safe shoo-in? I’m not sure Ardie’s the guy and Barret doesn’t stand out either.
23 Go to commentsI guess we may all agree on the fact, that the ABs and Boks are the two in contest for No 1 in rugby history (the triple-A sort of) …. the Wallabies, England and France are the next tier, with Ireland being the new kid in town (AA) …. in my view it makes little sense creating imaginary competitions (unless you have too much time to waste)
45 Go to commentsWhat a joke. Total joke and the pundits commentating, all of whom know a bit about the game, could barely disguise their contempt. Reaching for the card then pulling back when he realised a red card would carry further match suspensions is simply not his decision to make. A clear and obvious influence on the outcome of this match and indeed, the championship path.
5 Go to commentsI like the idea, in NZ the Ranfurly Shield and NPC coexist, both having their own bragging rights. The World Cup would be the pinnacle, but the competition and travels of these trophies would be interesting.
45 Go to commentsDon’t worry Sonny bill Williams leave that awkward situation about the curfew in the pass whoever it was it doesn’t matter its no big deal we back our All Blacks through the storm and the thunder until we see the Sun light again.
42 Go to commentsWho listens to this retard? He was a massive liability as a player but obviously a media sensation
42 Go to commentsI’m not surprised by such ‘virtue signalling’ by Sonny Boy. Butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth. He’s such a pious Islamic muppet, imo.
42 Go to commentsI’ve actually never heard of the guy (then I don’t watch League as it is boring). But if he is good enough.. then good luck to him. If not, well, he can always return to league.
2 Go to comments