The top 10 teams in Test rugby according to ex-All Black Todd Blackadder

The Quilter Nations Series has reshaped the international rugby standings, both in the official World Rugby rankings and in the unofficial rankings of rugby fans worldwide. All Black-turned-coach Todd Blackadder has, this week, submitted his rankings of the best 10 teams in the world as it stands following the November Test window.

Blackadder’s sentiment echoed that of many pundits weighing in on the state of the game in 2025, expressing excitement at the competitiveness of Test rugby, while recognising South Africa as the team to beat.

The Toshiba Brave Lupus coach shared broad views on a handful of national teams, recognising some teams trending upwards and some struggling to generate momentum.

Reigning Six Nations champions France were said to be suffering from a lack of continuity in the Test arena due to their extended Top 14 season. Blackadder pointed to the understrength squad selected for the July Series in New Zealand as a reason why the team weren’t able to hit the ground running in November.

Likewise, Ireland’s efforts in November gave Blackadder the impression that the team were lacking preparation, with a Lions tour in July disrupting the team’s continuity. He said Andy Farrell’s men looked “out of sorts” against Japan, and “too fired up” against South Africa.

On Australia, Blackadder was of the opinion that a lot of good would come from the 2025 season, which consisted of one of the toughest schedules Test rugby can offer.

Blackader provided a more comprehensive view of Rassie Erasmus’ Springboks.

“I think they’ve just started their curve up, unfortunately,” he explained, speaking with D’Arcy Waldegrave on Newstalk ZB. “He’s basically got two teams, and he’s building so much depth. If you simply want to get better, you’ve got to be competing against the best. Obviously, the way they train and compete is only creating more quality players and more quality depth.

“I think what they’ve got is a really successful formula, and I can’t see them getting any weaker. If anything, there are some good young guys you just see now and again, and he slowly drip-feeds them back into the team when they’re ready, while keeping his experienced players fresh.

“I think they’re going to be right at the top for a long time.”

He also touched on Steve Borthwick’s England, who are making their way up the World Rugby rankings, currently sitting third.

“I think England is one of the biggest movers in the way that they’ve changed their game a little bit. They’re playing a lot more expansively than they have, and they look like they’ve got a younger side. They’ve adopted the 6/2 bench.

“They’re shaping as one of those teams that could really compete with South Africa up front…

“When they played us, they looked confident, they looked like they were really clear, even when they were under pressure. If you look at the best teams when they’re under pressure, use South Africa as an example; they’ve won two games with 14 men with two red cards. They just go back to their DNA, don’t they? And I thought England, against us, really went back to their DNA. Under pressure, they looked strong, and George Ford kicked a few goals.”

Blackadder’s highest praise was saved for Felipe Contepomi’s Argentina, who are flirting with a spot in the top five of World Rugby’s rankings, currently sitting sixth.

“I think they’re the big movers for me. They spend the whole season on the road, don’t they? It’s been a long year for them. They’ve beaten nearly all the top teams, and with another five minutes against England, they probably would’ve won that game at the death there.

“They’re well-coached, they’ve got big players, and they’re probably tagged a little bit like us as being a little bit inconsistent.

“They’ve always been in the top four, top five at every World Cup, and that’s for a good reason; they’re big men, and they’re really, really physical. So, on any given day, they can beat anyone.

“They’re also building a lot of depth; there’s been a lot of young players, I don’t know their names, but I’ve watched them come through, and they’ve played really well.”

Finally, turning his attention to his homeland, New Zealand, Blackadder looked to 2026 as a decisive year for Scott Robertson’s team, following an underwhelming two-year period.

“I think it’s like a cycle. Obviously, it’s frustrating when you watch the boys play, but I think, too, some good has to come out of this season when they’ve had two inconsistent seasons in a row.

“I’m sure they’ll go back to the drawing board, but next year has to be one of those seasons where they really have to start stamping their mark. And maybe that’s just taking one game at a time, getting those boys really playing well, and restoring the confidence back in the jersey, because it’s obviously been quite a learning curve…

“They will be dissatisfied with their season, and they’ll be looking for a lot more continuity in the way that they play next season.”

Todd Blackadder’s Top 10 teams in 2025

1. South Africa
2. England
3. New Zealand
4. Ireland
5. Argentina
6. France
7. Australia
8. Scotland
9. Italy
10. Fiji