Rugby World Cup power rankings: Week three's movers and shakers
The pool stages of the 2019 Rugby World Cup are beginning to wrap up and there has been further movement in RugbyPass’ power rankings from week two, as a number of sides have now concluded their group stage campaigns.
Both South Africa and England have maintained their early form, putting pressure on New Zealand at the top, whilst Argentina were the first of the tier one nations to have their exit from the tournament confirmed, following their 39-10 loss to England.
Check out the latest movement below, as we gear up for the final weekend of the pool stages from Japan and the beginning of the knockout rounds.
- New Zealand (Previous rank: 1)
The All Blacks’ final game of the group comes against Italy on Saturday, in what should prove to be a step up in competition from their games against Canada and Namibia. Steve Hansen’s side are chugging along nicely and should cruise into the quarter-finals, where they could meet Ireland.
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- England (Previous rank: 2)
A red card to Tomas Lavanini didn’t help Los Pumas test England and Eddie Jones and his charges ended up cruising to a comfortable 39-10 win over the South American side. England are yet to be really challenged in the tournament, although they have looked professional and not short of firepower in all three wins so far.
- South Africa (Previous rank: 3)
The Springboks looked as though they might put 100 points on Canada on Tuesday, only for the North Americans to tighten up in the second half. Nevertheless, South Africa look in a good place going into the quarter-finals and they have an extended rest period before they take on their knockout round opponents which, in a potentially salivating Rugby World Cup rematch, could be Japan.
https://twitter.com/RugbyPass/status/1181569112511848449?s=20
- Wales (Previous rank: 4)
Warren Gatland’s side just hold on to fourth spot following their 29-17 win over Fiji, although it was a performance arguably short of the standards they would be looking to impose at this point in time. Fiji were unlucky not to take more from the game, although Wales are now in complete control of Pool D going into their final game with Uruguay.
- Japan (Previous rank: 5)
The hosts might not be the most talented team on paper or have the most extensive depth in their player pool, but they are showing good handling skills, an all-round game and an unsurprising ability to deal with the weather conditions. It could be winner takes all when they play Scotland on Sunday, should Ireland not slip up before then.
- Ireland (Previous rank: 6)
Ireland haven’t played since the last power rankings and there has been little opportunity for them to move up or down. Their quarter-final hopes are in their own hands, they just have to avoid the banana skin that Samoa represent in Fukuoka on Saturday.
- Australia (Previous rank: 7)
The Wallabies were professional in their defeat of Uruguay on Saturday, although there were a number of chances that went spurned and they were on the fortuitous end of the referee’s whistle. Their final pool game comes against Georgia on Friday
- France (Previous rank: 8)
France are winning, which you could argue is all that matters, though their performances have left a lot to be desired. They were pushed right to the brink by Tonga at the weekend and although their place in the quarter-finals is already secured, they do not currently look like a team that can make it to the semi-finals. Of course, with captain Guilhem Guirado reportedly at the heart of a player mutiny in Japan, anything is possible for Les Bleus.
https://twitter.com/RugbyPass/status/1181336242748678144?s=20
- Scotland (Previous rank: 11, up 2)
Consummately saw off Russia with a heavily rotated side on Wednesday, backing up the retaliation their first XV showed against Samoa the week before. Though there are still plenty of areas that Gregor Townsend’s side need to improve if they are to make the knockout rounds, they at least head towards their game against Japan with renewed confidence and some measure of momentum.
- Fiji (Previous rank: 12, up 2)
The Flying Fijians move up two spots despite losing to Wales thanks to the ability they showed in that contest, as well as how competitive they made the game. It was a truer reflection of where Fiji are currently in their development than the losses to Uruguay or Australia showed.
https://twitter.com/RugbyPass/status/1181707069361012737?s=20
- Argentina (Previous rank: 9, down 2)
The first tier one nation to be knocked out of the tournament, this has been a campaign to forget for Argentina. After losing the crunch match with France at the beginning of the Rugby World Cup, they laboured against Tonga and were well beaten by England. They finally fired some shots against the USA, though they were still short of convincing.
- Tonga (Previous rank: 14, up 2)
The Sea Eagles have really done themselves proud in this Rugby World Cup and after coming closer to an upset against Argentina than the scoreline illustrated, they gave France a mighty scare on Sunday. Although they have yet to win, they have exceeded pre-tournament expectations and should go into their final game with the USA as favourites based on form over the past few weeks.
- Italy (Previous rank: 10, down 3)
The 49-3 loss to South Africa was a wake-up moment for the Azzurri, who had looked comfortable previously against the tier two opposition in their pool. They were comfortably outplayed by the Springboks and now have one last shot at coming away from the tournament with a major scalp, as they play the All Blacks on Saturday.
- Georgia (Previous rank: 13, down 1)
In all honesty, Georgia have struggled to live up to expectations as potential giant killers out in Japan. They were comfortably beaten by Wales and Fiji and their last shot at taking something tangible away from the tournament comes when they meet Australia in Shizuoka on Friday. Anything short of a win should see them miss out on automatic qualification for the 2023 tournament, too.
- Uruguay (Previous rank: 16, up 1)
Los Teros were unlucky to rack up a 35-point deficit against Australia, as the South Americans caused the Wallabies a number of issues and were unfortunately on the wrong end of some questionable calls from the officials in Oita. They have shown they do not lack for individual ability in this tournament and have one last shot against Wales to leave a mark.
- Samoa (Previous rank: 15, down 1)
Japan started slowly against Samoa on Saturday and the door was ajar for the Pacific Island nation to potentially trouble the hosts. The challenge didn’t come, however, and Samoa’s last chance of springing an upset victory comes against Ireland in Fukuoka. In contrast to a young Uruguayan group that looks to be on the up, the ageing Samoan side will need to go into a rebuild post-Rugby World Cup.
- USA (Previous rank: 17)
The USA finally offered some incision in attack when they played Argentina on Wednesday, although they were still comfortably beaten. Their final game of the tournament looms and beating Tonga would put a silver lining on a campaign where the USA Eagles have looked, unsurprisingly, significantly short of the tier one teams.
- Russia (Previous rank: 18)
After coming into the tournament as the widely regarded 20th ranked team, Russia have shown their teeth at times over the last few weeks. Their loss to Scotland on Wednesday consigned them to a clean sweep of defeats in the pool stage, though they had their moments against Japan, Ireland and Scotland, not to mention some very valid grumbles with the officiating from their game with Samoa.
- Namibia (Previous rank: 19)
The Namibians were on the wrong end of a heavy loss to New Zealand on Sunday, though they have shown flashes of their ability over their first two games. Their crunch game comes against Canada in Kamaishi on Sunday, in what should prove to be the definitive answer over who avoids bottom spot in the final rankings.
- Canada (Previous rank: 20)
It’s been a tough Rugby World Cup for Canada, who are yet to register a point and their points difference of -163 is comfortably the worst at the tournament. They put in an impressive 14-man shift in the second half of their game with South Africa, holding them to a 19-7 loss after the interval, although it has to be mitigated by the 47 unanswered points they shipped in the first 40 minutes.
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Comments on RugbyPass
Thanks Nick The loss of players to OS, injury and retirement is certainly not helping the Crusaders. Ditto the coach. IMO Penny is there to hold the fort and cop the flak until new players and a new coach come through,…and that's understood and accepted by Penny and the Crusaders hierarchy. I think though that what is happening with the Crusaders is an indicator of what is happening with the other NZ SRP teams…..and the other SRP teams for that matter. Not enough money. The money has come via the SR competition and it’s not there anymore. It's in France, Japan and England. Unless or until something is done to make SR more SELLABLE to the NZ/Australia Rugby market AND the world rugby market the $s to keep both the very best players and the next rung down won't be there. They will play away from NZ more and more. I think though that NZ will continue to produce the players and the coaches of sufficient strength for NZ to have the capacity to stay at the top. Whether they do stay at the top as an international team will depend upon whether the money flowing to SRP is somehow restored, or NZ teams play in the Japan comp, or NZ opts to pick from anywhere. As a follower of many sports I’d have to say that the organisation and promotion of Super Rugby has been for the last 20 years closest to the worst I’ve ever seen. This hasn't necessarily been caused by NZ, but it’s happened. Perhaps it can be fixed, perhaps not. The Crusaders are I think a symptom of this, not the cause
8 Go to commentsNo way. If you are trying to picture New Zealand rugby with an All Blacks mindset, there have been two factors instrumental to the decline of NZ rugby to date. Those are the horror that the Blues have become and, probably more so, the fixture that the Crusaders became. I don’t think it was healthy to have one team so dominant for so long, both for lack of proper representation of players from outside that environment and on the over reliance on players from within it. If you are another international side, like Ireland for example, sure. You can copy paste something succinct from one level to the next and experience a huge increase in standards, but ultimately you will not be maximizing it, which is what you need to perform to the level the ABs do. Added to that is the apathy that develops in the whole game as a result of one sides dominance. NZ, Super, and Championship rugby should all experience a boom as a result of things balancing out. That said, there is a lot of bad news happening in NZ rugby recently, and I’m not sure the game can be handled well enough here to postpone the always-there feeling of inevitable decline of rugby.
8 Go to commentsNo SA supporter miss Super Rugby - a product that is experiencing significant head wind in ANZ - the competition from rival codes are intense, match attendance figures are at a historical low and the negativity of commentators such as Kirwan and Wilson have accelerated the downward spiral in NZ. After the next RWC in 2027 sponsors will follow Qantas and start leaving in droves.
2 Go to commentsLike others, I am not seeing the connection between this edition of the Crusaders and the All Blacks future prospects under Razor. I think the analysis of the Crusaders attack recently is helpful because Razor and his coaching team used to be able to slot new guys in to their systems and see them succeed. Several of Razor’s coaches are still there so it would be surprising if the current attack and set piece has been overhauled to a great extent - but based on that analysis, it may have been. Whether it is too many new guys due to injuries or retirement or a failure of current Crusaders systems is the main question to be answered imo. It doesn’t seem relevant for the ABs.
8 Go to commentsharry potter is set in stone. he creates stability and finishes well. exactly what schmidt likes. he’s the ben smith of australian rugby. i think it could quite easily be potter toole and kellaway for the foreseeable future.
5 Go to commentsThis is short sighted from Clayton if you ask me, smacks of too much preseason planning and no adaptability. What if DMac is out for a must win match, are they still only going to bring their best first five and playmaker on late in the game? Trusting the game to someone who wasn’t even part of planning (they would have had Trask pinned in as Jacomb preseason). Perhaps if the Crusaders were better they would not have done this, but either way imo you take this opportunity to play a guy you might need starting in a final rather than having their 12th game getting comfortable coming off the bench.
1 Go to commentsThanks Brett.. At last a positive article on the potential of Wallaby candidates, great to read. Schmidt’s record as an international rugby coach speaks for itself, I’m somewhat confident he will turn the Wallaby’s fortunes around …. on the field. It will be up to others to steady the ship off the paddock. But is there a flaw in my optimism? We have known all along that Australia has the players to be very competitive with their international rivals. We know that because everyone keeps telling us. So why the poor results? A question that requires a definitive answer before the turn around can occur. Joe Schmidt signed on for 2 years, time to encompass the Lions tour of 2025. By all accounts he puts family first and that’s fair enough, but I would wager that his 2 year contract will be extended if the next 18 months or so shows the statement “Australia has the players” proves to be correct. The new coach does not have a lot of time to meld together an outfit that will be competitive in the Rugby Championship - it will be interesting to see what happens. It will be interesting to see what happens with Giteau law, the new Wallaby coach has already verbalised that he would to prefer to select from those who play their rugby in Australia. His first test in charge is in July just over 3 months away .. not a long time. I for one wish him well .. heaven knows Australia needs some positive vibes.
21 Go to commentsWhat a load of bollocks. The author has forgotten to mention the fact that the Crusaders have a huge injury toll with top world class players out. Not to mention the fact that they are obviously in a transition period. No this will not spark a slow death for NZ rugby, but it does mean there will be a new Super Rugby champion. Anyone who knows anything about NZ rugby knows that there is some serious talent here, it just isn’t all at the Crusaders.
8 Go to commentsI wouldn’t spend the time on Nawaqanitawase! No point in having him filling in a jersey when he’s committed to leave Union. Give the jersey to a young prospect who will be here in the future.
5 Go to commentsIt was a pleasure to watch those guys playing with such confidence. That trio can all be infuriating for different reasons and I can see why Jones might have decided against them. No way to justify leaving Ikitau out though. Jorgensen and him were both scheduled to return at the same time. Only one of them plays for Randwick and has a dad who is great mates with the national coach though.
53 Go to commentsBrayden Iose and Peter Lakai are very exciting Super Rugby players but are too short and too light to ever be a Test 8 vs South Africa, France, Ireland, and England, Lakai could potentially be a Test player at 7 if he is allowed to focus on 7 for Hurricanes.
7 Go to commentsPencils “Thomas du Toit” into possible 2027 Bok squad.
1 Go to commentsDon’t see why Harrison makes the bench. Jones can play at 10 if needed, and there is a good case for starting her there to begin with if testing combinations. That would leave room for Sing on the bench
1 Go to commentsWhat a load of old bull!
1 Go to commentsOf 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.
29 Go to commentsIrish Rugby CEO be texting Andy Farrell “Andy, i found our next Kiwi Irishman”
5 Go to commentsI certainly don’t miss drinking beers at 8am in the morning watching rugby games being played in NZ.
2 Go to commentsThis looks like a damage limitation exercise for Wales, keeping back some of their more effective players for the last 20/25 minutes to try and counter England’s fresh legs so the Red Roses don’t rack up a big score.
2 Go to commentsVery unlikely the Bulls will beat Leinster in Dublin. It would be different in Pretoria.
1 Go to commentsI think it is a dangerous path to go down to ban a player for the same period that a player they injured takes to recover. Players would be afraid to tackle anyone. I once tackled my best friend at school in a practice match and sprained his ankle. I paid for it by having to play fly-half instead of full-back for the rest of that season’s fixtures.
5 Go to comments