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Power shift as Northern Hemisphere teams climb World Rugby rankings

By Online Editors
Ireland celebrates a 2-1 series win over Australia

In the latest World Rugby rankings, the Northern Hemisphere nations have ascended into the top 5, taking the majority of spots after the June international series.

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Ireland, Wales and England hold second, third and fourth as the Wallabies slide to fifth following their home series loss to Ireland. The Springboks are ranked sixth despite beating England 2-1 in South Africa.

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Not surprisingly, the All Blacks still hold the number one ranking after dispatching France 3-0 at home. They have retained the top spot every year since 2009 and sit on 93.99 points. Ireland edge ever so closer to New Zealand, reaching 90-point barrier for the first time after their historic 2-1 win in Austraila.

Argentina’s worrying slide continues, taking the tenth position behind a resurgent Fiji who sits just below France in ninth position.

World Rugby rankings
1 – All Blacks 93.99
2 – Ireland 90.12
3 – Wales 85.94
4 – England 85.68
5 – Australia 84.48
6 – South Africa 83.32
7 – Scotland 83.02
8 – France 79.10
9 – Fiji 76.54
10 – Argentina 75.55

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Bull Shark 2 hours ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

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