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South Africa can jump Ireland in World Rugby rankings over weekend
There are just two weeks of tests to be played before the Rugby World Cup kicks off in France and still plenty of changes can be made in the World Rugby international men’s rankings.
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The weekend’s slate of games sees tier-one nations from the southern and northern hemispheres clash for the first time since last year’s End of Year tours, amongst other mouth-watering fixtures.
South Africa will face Wales in Cardiff, while France host Fiji, Italy host Romania and England travel to Dublin to square off with World No 1 ranked Ireland.
That top spot on the rankings is not guaranteed for Andy Farrell’s men though with no points on offer for a win but the potential to drop as low as fourth with a loss.
Head-to-Head
Last 5 Meetings
Wins
1
Draws
0
Wins
4
Average Points scored
18
29
First try wins
40%
Home team wins
40%
13 months atop the World Rugby rankings reflects the unbeaten run for Ireland but a loss would guarantee the team surrender their world-best rating to New Zealand while results elsewhere will determine whether France and/or South Africa also overtake the Irish.
Despite the potential jump in the standings, don’t expect many South African or New Zealand fans to be cheering the England side on in Dublin. The odds will also be against Steve Borthwick’s men as Ireland enjoy a 15-match winning record at their home fortress and have lost just two of their past 38 matches there.
England can only hope to get as high as fifth with a win.
France are in a similar position to Ireland in the sense they have no points reward on offer for a win but if the Springboks are to prevail in Cardiff, Siya Kolisi’s side will assume the position of third place, relegating the French to fourth.
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Wales face no consequence as far as the rankings are concerned for a loss to South Africa but can improve from tenth to eighth with a win or ninth if Fiji also claims victory.
The biggest winners from the coming weekend may just be the Flying Fijians.
A winning start to the year and to new head coach Simon Raiwalui’s tenure has Fiji sitting ninth on the rankings, with the potential to jump Australia to be the highest-ranked team in Pool C come World Cup time.
To achieve this, the Semi Radradra-led team would have to topple France, no mean feat but one the Fijians did accomplish the last time the two nations met in 2018.
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Les Bleus currently enjoy a record home-winning streak but the World Cup hosts have lost the services of the influential Romain Ntamack due to a knee injury in their latest win against Scotland.
An Italy win on its own won’t see Ange Capuozzo’s return rewarded on the rankings but a loss for Georgia would help the Italians move up to 12th.
Georgia play the USA who can overtake Uruguay and potentially Portugal with a win.
A Romanian win over Italy would only benefit the team’s rankings if the USA loses.
Comments on RugbyPass
Tamati Tua. …the Taniwha NPC midfielder.
1 Go to commentsFiji deserve to be in the rugby championship, fans love seeing the Fijian national team play, the Fijian Drua is a wonderful idea but the players can still be stolen to play for NZ and AUS…
1 Go to commentsThe first concern for this afternoon are wheather forecast…
1 Go to commentsWhy cant I watch Rugby games please?
1 Go to commentsBeautiful shot from Finau, end of story. Gutted for Shaun Stevenson though.
4 Go to commentsThe Chiefs definitely didn’t win ugly. They had the superior scrum, a dominant lineout, and their defence was excellent once the Waratahs scored their two tries (thanks to some lucky refereeing calls mind you). They put pressure on the Waratahs lineout throughout the game, and the mind boggles as to why the referee did not award a yellow card or a penalty try against the Waratahs for repeated scrum infringements on their own try line before Narawa’s first try. And the Chiefs were slick with their passing and running angles on attack. It was a dominant performance all round, even with many questionable refereeing decisions.
1 Go to commentsWasnt late. Ref 2 assistants andTMO all saw it so who are you to say it was?
4 Go to commentsAre the Brumbies playing the Blues twice in a row?
4 Go to commentsBig difference from the Saders. Forwards really muscled up and laid a solid platform. Scooter brought some steel and I liked the loosie combination. Newell has been rather disappointing this season but stepped up big time - happy also to see Franks dot down. He should do that more often! Reihana had a good game and there seems to be more flair and invention with him in the saddle. McNicoll plays well from the back and is reliable plus inventive when he joins the line. Keep it up chaps!
3 Go to comments🤦♂️🤣 who cares who’s the best . All I know is the All Blacks have the star coach but have few star players now …
33 Go to commentsJe suis sûr que Farrell est impatient de jouer avec Lopez et Machenaud et d’être entraîné par Collazo… 🤭
1 Go to commentsAn on field red (aka a full red) in SRP must surely carry a bigger suspension than a red card given by the bunker as that carries a 20 minute team punishment. Had Damon Murphy abdicated his responsibility as a ref and issued both Drua players a yellow, which would have been upgraded to a 20 minute red by the bunker, that would have killed Australia and New Zealand’s push for the 20 minute red to be trialled globally from July this year.
11 Go to commentsEver so often you all post a Danny Care story that isn’t the announcement that he has finally re-signed for one more, victory tour season at Quins and I’m just like, “well you fooled me again!” My absolute favorite player ever, we need to make his final year at the Stoop (and Twickers) official already. I know he supposedly snubbed France but I won’t feel better until he signs.
1 Go to commentslate hit what late hit it wasn’t at all late and can clearly see he was committed before the tackle
4 Go to commentsChristian Lio -Willies 2 try perfomance was a standout. As was captain Scott Barrett. Up front was where the boys won it.They are a great team and players. Fantastic Crusaders , you can keep going.
3 Go to commentsI don't know how the locals feel about that? I guess if you call yourselves the Worcester Wasps that might be appease. But really we need more teams in the Premiership in my view so they are not padding it out as they are at the moment. It might curtail so many players going abroad as well
5 Go to commentsNZ 😭😭😭is certainly rivaling England for best whingers cup!😭😭😭 !!!
33 Go to commentsYup. New Zealand won 3 out of 10 world cups played. SA 4 out of 8 attempts 30 Vs 50 per cent.🤔🤔
33 Go to commentsShould've done this years ago. Change Saturday kick off times to around 11am. Up and off and back home before 3pm, limit travel time too. Allows players to actually do something else with their Saturday that's family oriented or being rugby fans they could ‘watch’ pro rugby. Increases crowds etc. How can anyone that enjoys grassroots and pro rugby have to choose between the two on Saturdays?
9 Go to commentsI bet he inspired those supporters just as much.
1 Go to comments