Wallabies surpass Springboks in rankings

[Burgs]

Wallabies surpass Springboks in rankings

Tuesday, November 14, 2006

The Wallabies' scrappy defeat of Italy was enough to ensure the Australian team moved up to third place in the latest International Rugby Board (IRB) rankings.

Australia struggled to overcome the plucky Azzurri in Rome last weekend but the 25-18 win, coupled with South Africa's 32-15 defeat by Ireland, assured the Wallabies pushed the Springboks back to fourth.

New Zealand increased their lead in first place to more than seven points over France, who remain second despite their 47-3 mauling by the All Blacks in Lyon.

Argentina had another first when they climbed two places to sixth in after stunning England at Twickenham.

The Pumas, whose 25-18 win on Saturday was their first at Twickenham, leap-frogged England, whose seventh place is a new low for beleaguered coach Andy Robinson's side, and Scotland.

Argentina will be hoping their achievements jolt the IRB and the organisers of the game's top tournaments, the Tri Nations in the southern hemisphere and Europe's Six Nations, into finding a place for the Pumas at one of the top tables.

World champions England, meanwhile, must be more worried than ever that they could fall as early as the quarter-finals when they defend their title in the World Cup in France this time next year.

Further down the ranking, Namibia climbed three places to 23rd after they beat Morocco to qualify for the World Cup where they will meet hosts France, Ireland, Argentina and either Georgia or Portugal in Pool D.

Top 12:

1. New Zealand 94.06 points

2. France 86.39

3. Australia 85.50

4. South Africa 85.24

5. Ireland 83.81

6. Argentina 79.01

7. England 78.14

8. Scotland 77.72

9. Wales 77.02

10. Samoa 73.86

11. Fiji 73.15

12. Italy 72.89

Reuters

[Happy]

even our 3 word story says S.A. plays bad rugby ...

[Shaun]

I think it is b*&%%@#$ that Australia are ahead of S.A in the rankings if you look at their past couple of games. South Africa beat New Zealand then Australia and the lost to Ireland. Australia lost to South Africa, drew with Wales and just beat Italy!

So beating Australia and New Zealand earns less points than drawing with Wales and beating Italy???

IRB system seems to be screwed up...

[JediKnight]

I'm actually amazed that Australia have ever been behind South Africa in the IRB rankings.........!!!!!

[travelling_gerry]

well....when you get a couple of 40 odds against you...you have to expect to be dropped....

[Sagerian]

I think it's interesting that if the Irish win this weekend and France loses (pretty likely) that Ireland will be ranked second.

Pretty cool to see the Irish up so high.

[Shaun]

JK that comment is not very well thought out... The Springboks have been a top international rugby side for a century (this is the 100th years) and have reached number 1 ranking in the world numerous times. Anyways it is good to see the Irish standing strong; but for me I always love to see the Southern Hemisphere dominate.

[Happy]

Shaunmarn - before you gob off again go and read this

http://www.irb.com/EN/World+Rankings...g+Explanation/

people with a lot more experience in rugby than you have come up with this system!

[The InnFORCEr]

Shaunmarn - before you gob off again go and read this

http://www.irb.com/EN/World+Rankings...g+Explanation/

people with a lot more experience in rugby than you have come up with this system!

I think he's right young man