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World rankings gap widens as top four breakaway
By Jon Newcombe
With each of the world’s leading men’s teams playing at least 11 Tests and others such as Fiji and Japan getting more fixtures thanks to the reimagined Asahi Super Dry Pacific Nations Cup, it has been a full-on year of international rugby.
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The twelve-month period following a Rugby World Cup tournament can sometimes feel anti-climatic but with so much rugby played and a host of new stars emerging, 2024 has felt different.
One thing, however, that has largely stayed the same is the top 10 of the world rankings, with nine of those who started the busiest of years amongst the elite maintaining their status.
South Africa, Ireland, New Zealand and France occupied the top four then, as they do now, and in the same order. But the gap between Les Bleus and the chasing pack has widened from 2.35 to 3.54 points. England were the closest to the top four at the turn of the year but as things stand, it is Argentina who are leading the charge.
The Springboks’ lead over Ireland at the top of the rankings over the last twelve months has actually been cut from 3.97 points to just two, with their rating falling from 94.54 points on January 1st to just two in the end-of-year standings, despite losing only two games by a point, winning their first Rugby Championship since 2019 and producing a clean sweep of wins on an end-of-year European tour for the first time in 11 years.
Six Nations Grand Slam winners Ireland managed to marginally increase their rating, by two-tenths of a point, while New Zealand and France also experienced sub-one-point gains.
England fell from fifth to seventh, losing 3,15 points along the way, Scotland stayed rock solid in sixth – but with a fractionally worse rating, while Argentina climbed two places to fifth after gaining 4.29 points on the back of their best-ever Rugby Championship campaign.
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Revitalised by the Joe Schmidt effect as the year wore on, Australia have moved up one place to eighth and have 4.04 points more than they did when they kicked off the year licking their wounds from a disastrous showing at Rugby World Cup 2023.
In what has been their annus horribilis, Wales are the only team to drop out of the top 10, on the back of a loss of 6.63 rating points, and their place has been taken by Italy, who kicked off 2024 in 11th.
In winning the Pacific Nations Cup and beating Wales away for the first time in history – and with a new coaching group – Fiji can look back on 2024 with a few more positives than negatives in 2024.
While the heavy defeats at the hands of New Zealand, Scotland and Ireland were disappointing, they still did enough over the course of the year to move up from 10th to ninth, with an improved rating of 80.07 points.
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World Rugby Men’s Rankings Top 10 (as of Monday, December 2nd)
- South Africa 92.78 (94.54)
- Ireland 90.78 (90.57)
- New Zealand 90.36 (89.80)
- France 88.51 (87.81)
- Argentina 84.97 (80.68)
- Scotland 83.34 (83.43)
- England 82.31 (85.46)
- Australia 81.52 (77.48)
- Fiji 80.07 (76.38)
- Italy 78.64 (75.93)
*January 1st, 2024 rating in brackets)
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The key ranking for Tier1 s is the top 6.
You are in top 6 at end of 2025 then you are Seed 1 in your world cup Pool and likely avoiding big boys until at least the QTR.
Key movements there are the slide of England out of the top 6, the return of Scotland to it and Australia closing. The key result was the head to head Scotland Australia. A major blow for Aussie as winning it would have put them in the top 6 and in driving seat ahead of the long Lions sabbatical. Australia have the RC and next years Novembers to gain the top6. If they fail and Scotland prevail, remember the Scotland match.
Ireland wanted to consolidate a top 2 and after the bad start, toughing out two tough matches will please them. Are Ireland a team on decline or a team in transition about to improve again? We will soon find out.
LOL my bad how did everyone get his birth wrong?
Sounds like another Akira Ioane being Japanese myth!
Ahh, wee Edward. Don’t take things so personal. That wasn’t an insult, just merely an observation. Though to say you’ve won an argument, which was a discussion, without giving a proper reply or retort is quite childish and narcissistic. I’m sure we’ll cross paths again and get more out of you. Chin up!
Always the sign of an argument won when the insults start to fly…😉😂
Fair reflection of the pecking order, can’t complain.
Ireland, aside from a last gasp finish against SA in the Republic, seemed to struggle. A lot of drop ball and more going backwards than forwards at times. It appears as if teams have looked closely at Ireland and started unpicking their attack. And Ireland do appear to be playing the same style as over the last couple of years (while struggling at 10)
The attack has deteriorated. That's the red light. New attack coach in Ireland and Lancaster gone from Leinster. This has impacted. Paul O'Connell must go as Forwards coach. The line out has been a disaster since before the RWC. Lost out first 5 in the pool vs SA. Lost a load against New Zealand in the QF.
The dominant Ireland display in Durban shows the potential i the upcoming players.
Ireland should have been out the door and gone in that match. Good character to win in the end, but it wasn't a last gasp lucky win.
If Ireland get the lineout platform sorted it will make a major difference. We may need a couple of new coaches.
I think people are starting to realize what a great great no 10 Sexton was. Crowley and Casey made a clear difference when introduced. JGP seems to have lost a second at rucks.
Must admit, never saw that 10 point victory for NZ over Ireland in Dublin coming. Nz have lost 4 times this year, ireland 3. So the rankings are what they are.
Very tight for second, all considered, and then 5th.
It's like there's only three positions up for grabs in the top 10 currently.
1st, 2nd, 5th? I think 7-10 are up for grabs too.
Scotland are slightly ahead of England in the rankings, they lost only 1 of their autumn test matches while England struggled even during the 6 nations ???
England scored very valuable (ranking wise speaking) wins in 2 of 3 RWC knockout games.
Ireland's ranking is really skewed as they proved in the match against the Aussies, only just winning......the French and ABs are better than Ireland right now.
Ireland got Zero ranking points for beating Australia. Ireland's position is exactly where it should be.
Yeah, Ireland really didn't look good this Nov, losing to NZ, and then only just beating Arg and Aus.
We'll see if it was just a bad month or a trend in the 6N
CF can you please elaborate, or at least subjectively define what you mean regarding Irelands rankings being skewed. I'm not even going to bother asking DP'S discombobulating claim that Ireland is NOWHERE NEAR being in 2nd spot. Everyone knows exactly why Ireland are there as it is quite simply attributed to the simple fact that they went 17 unbeaten number 1. They went to NZ and won a series. Lost a quarter final to NZ by 1 score. Won a GS and then a Six nations and went to the best team in the world and drew a series. Although NZ beat them by 10 four weeks ago deservedly, They were missing four massively important players. They got back on the horse and beat a fast improving Pumas, destroyed Fiji and beat an Australian team that has a manager who knows them inside out and beat England. To say that they are nowhere near is a mixture of hyperbolic madness mixed with stupidity. They are trying some new players, but let's be clear when I say that they are a darn good side who have already answered insinuations that are grounded in quick sand
The fact the July tests are a closed shop between NZ, Aus, SA, Arg, Wales, Ire, Eng and France means teams like Scotland and Italy have no chance to close these gaps. Resigned to tier 2 development tours where if we rotate our squads and lose we risk losing a ton of points. but hardly gain anything for winning.
Scotland have been continually shafted.
Because RWC 2013 draw was based on 2019 rankings Scotland were ranked 9th, and landed the nightmare scenario of 2 top 4 teams in the pool and having to play another top 4 in the quarter (even though Scotland were then ranked 5th). The great Scottish play between 2019 and 2023 counted for ZERO. Disgraceful.
This they did not progress from the pool in 2023, got stung in the rankings.
Scotland must be in the Top 6 in Dec 2025 to be in the seeding band 1. The victory over Australia was huge in this regard.
i think Italy is in South Africa in July 2025
The July tours involving the home nations in a Lions year have always been nothing but development tours for those nations as their best players are unavailable for their country.
Fascinating how Ireland are clinging on to 2nd spot.. clearly nowhere near the 2nd best side in the world. The 6N will show this I guess.
NZ lost 4 times this year. Ireland won in Durban. The rankings reflect all the results. Ireland got zero points for beating Australia. Are you arguing they should be deducted points for beating Australia?
That's thanks to the long unbeaten streak now doubt, and of course some lucky recent wins.
Ireland trashed France in Marseille in the 6N .... the ranking is not a representation of the shape of the day ....