Rugby World Cup power rankings: Week One's movers and shakers in Japan
The first week of action certainly delivered at the Rugby World Cup in Japan and there are a number of alterations needed to the initial RugbyPass power rankings from before the tournament opener.
All teams have now played at least one game at the tournament and from Uruguay’s shock win over Fiji to Ireland’s complete domination of Scotland, a number of teams are set to rise and fall in the rankings below.
One position which has not changed, however, is that of the team we had leading the way going into the competition.
- New Zealand (Previous rank: 1)
Only the one game for the All Blacks so far, although it was a relatively comfortable win over their biggest rivals in Pool B, South Africa. Unless Italy can muster something special, Steve Hansen and his side are now unlikely to be too sternly tested before the quarter-finals of the competition.
- Ireland (Previous rank: 4, up 2)
Ireland blew Scotland away in their tournament opener and although Joe Schmidt’s side have been favoured to top Pool A since the group draws were made, very few expected the comprehensive nature of the win. A potential banana skin against hosts Japan awaits this weekend, but if they can get through that unscathed, they should secure favourable seeding for the knockout rounds.
(Continue reading below…)
- England (Previous rank: 3)
Eddie Jones’ side are one of the few to have played two games already and they have dealt with both professionally. The crunch games are yet to come for England, though. Thus their lack of movement in these rankings with Argentina and France next up. That said, their defence and set-piece are both standing out.
- South Africa (Previous rank: 2, down 2)
The Springboks are a little unlucky to drop here, given that their only game has come against New Zealand. That said, while they were physical in defence and boasted a strong set-piece in that game with the All Blacks, their precision in their attacking phase play and kicking game left a little to be desired. It won’t prevent them making the quarter-finals, but it could be an issue beyond that.
- Wales (Previous rank: 5)
Wales and Warren Gatland got their World Cup underway with a win over Georgia, although they will refrain from too much enthusiasm with the Lelos enjoying a strong spell between the 30th and 70th minute. It was efficient and comfortable from Wales, without the killer edge that they may need to discover against Australia this weekend.
https://twitter.com/rugbyworldcup/status/1176915518596337664?s=20
- Australia (Previous rank: 6)
A similar story to Wales for Australia who did a solid job against Fiji but came away with a number of areas they need to work on if they want to progress in the knockout rounds. Australia and Wales are due to face each other in Tokyo on Sunday, a contest which should prove pivotal in deciding the final standings of Pool D, especially following Fiji’s shock loss to Uruguay.
- France (Previous rank: 7)
An extremely bright first half from France against Argentina had them initially pencilled in for a modest rise here, although an error-strewn second half was far more reminiscent of France’s performances over the last four years. Crucially, though, they got the win and are now in a good position to make the quarter-finals.
- Japan (Previous rank: 10, up 2)
Japan’s opener against Russia wasn’t without its errors and nervous moments for the hosts, even though they secured the bonus point win and there were moments of promise there for Jamie Joseph’s side. If they can knock off the rust further against Ireland in Shizuoka on Saturday, they will fancy their chances of beating Samoa and Scotland and making the knockout rounds.
https://twitter.com/RugbyPass/status/1177158711686524929?s=20
- Argentina (Previous rank: 9)
No alteration for Argentina who, true to the form books, fell to a narrow loss to France on Saturday. It now means that they will need to win against England to have any chance of making the quarter-finals. It’s an outcome their quality of player is capable of, although results in recent years for both sides show that it is unlikely.
- Italy (Previous rank: 12, up 2)
Slightly nervy in their opener against Namibia, before looking much more clinical against Canada. The two big games in Pool B still await Italy despite wrapping up a full 10 points from their opening two games. They have at least given themselves a puncher’s chance of qualification.
- Georgia (Previous rank: 13, up 2)
The Lelos had 40 minutes of very competitive rugby against Wales, which will buoy them ahead of taking on the rest of their Pool D opponents. Their slow start was too much to come back from, however, and their rise here is more to do with the falls of Scotland and Fiji than it is with their loss to Wales.
https://twitter.com/RugbyPass/status/1177186765528096768
- Scotland (Previous rank: 8, down 4)
It really was a woeful performance from Scotland in Yokohama against Ireland. As good as their Six Nations rivals were, Scotland were equally bad. The schedule now works against them, as they build to a potentially climactic contest with Japan at the end of the pool – assuming they can get passed Samoa first.
- Samoa (Previous rank: 14, up 1)
Samoa were lucky against Russia in terms of two of their players not seeing red cards for high tackles, although the difference in class did begin to show in the second half. They could end Scotland’s World Cup ambitions on Monday when the two sides meet in Kobe, although the Europeans will still be the favourites going in.
- Uruguay (Previous rank: 17, up 3)
Uruguay put in a wonderfully composed and ambitious performance against Fiji and were rewarded with four points in what is only the third World Cup win in their history. Context says Fiji rotated their squad and were on a short turnaround and that Uruguay are not going to qualify from Pool D, but their performance in Kamaishi warrants them this bump up the rankings.
https://twitter.com/rugbyworldcup/status/1176908738072109056?s=20
- Fiji (Previous: 11, down 4)
Fiji were competitive with Australia initially before the Wallabies tightened up their game. Then a heavily rotated side were part of a surprising loss to Uruguay on Wednesday. They still have the players to beat Georgia and at least worry Wales, but the two losses so far have realistically ended any hopes they may have had of reaching the knockout rounds.
- Tonga (Previous rank: 16)
Expectations were, more or less, met in Tonga’s opening game of the World Cup. They kept the scoreline respectable against England and were able to disrupt some of the European side’s phase play, but they never really looked like troubling England’s try line, let alone the result.
- USA (Previous rank: 15, down 2)
The USA really didn’t offer any sort of threat to England on Thursday in Kobe. They struggled to maintain possession, breach the English defence and live with their opponent’s set-piece. They will need to offer more when they play France next Wednesday.
- Namibia (Previous rank: 18)
They had moments of real quality against Italy where they looked as though they could cause problems for the tier one teams, although they were isolated and the Azzurri never really had to go any further than third gear to see off the challenge. The African nation will have their game with Canada well and truly circled.
- Russia (Previous rank: 20, up 1)
Russia may have lost both their games so far in the tournament, but they have shown an abundance of heart and no lack of ability in the process, thus their minor jump up the rankings. They rattled Japan in the opener and then were extremely unlucky not to get something from their game with Samoa where the Islanders were fortunate not to see red cards for two of their players, both of whom have since been cited.
- Canada (Previous rank: 19, down 1)
Comfortably beaten by an Italian team on a short turnaround, it was far from the most encouraging of World Cup openers for Canada. On that form, they will be hard-pressed to keep New Zealand and South Africa to less than a point a minute in their upcoming match-ups. What chances Canada did create were prematurely ended by a litany of handling errors.
WATCH: The latest RugbyPass World Cup documentary, Tonga: Road to Japan
Comments on RugbyPass
Lets compare apples with apples. Lyon sent weak team the week before, but nobody raised an eyebrow. Give the South African teams a few years to build their depth, then you will be moaning that the teams are too strong.
41 Go to commentsDid footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
10 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
9 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
10 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
4 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
22 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
4 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
9 Go to commentsWell that’s the contracts for RG and Jordie bought and paid for. Now, what are the chances we can persuade Antoine to hop over with all the extra dosh we’ll have from living at the Aviva & Croke next season…??? 🤑🤑🤑
35 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
35 Go to commentsYou probably read that parling is going to coach the wallaby lineout but if not before now you have.
14 Go to commentsIf someone like Leo Cullen was in O’Gara’s place I don’t hear Boo-ing. It’s not just that La Rochelle has hurt Leinster and O’Gara is their Irish boss. It’s the needle that he brings and the pantomime activity before the game around pretending that Munster were supporting LaRochelle just because O’Gara is from Cork. That’s dividing Irish provinces just to get an advantage for his French Team. He can F*ck right off with that. BOOOOO! (but not while someone is lying injured)
4 Go to commentsDid the highlanders party too hard before the game? They were the pits.
1 Go to commentsWhat a player! Not long until he’s in the England side, surely?
5 Go to commentsHe seems to have the same aura as Marcus Smith - by which I mean he’s consistently judged as if he’s several years younger than he actually is. Mngomezulu has played 24 times for the Stormers. When Pollard was his age he had played 24 times for South Africa! He has more time to develop, but he has also had time to do some developing already, and he hasn’t demonstrated nearly as much talent in that time as one would expect. If he is a generational talent, then it must be a pretty poor generation.
6 Go to commentsThe greatest Springbok coach of all time is entirely on the money. Rassie and Jacques have given the south african public a great few years, but the success of the springbok selection policy will need to be judged in light of what comes next. The poor condition that the provincial system is currently in doesn’t bode well for the next few years of international rugby, and the insane 2026 schedule that the Boks have lined up could also really harm both provincial and international consistency.
22 Go to comments