Possible IRB World Rankings changes this weekend

[Burgs]

Possible IRB World Rankings changes this weekend

17 NOVEMBER 2006

With eight of the top 10 teams playing in matches that count towards the IRB World Rankings this weekend, the results could bring about a number of changes, as detailed below.

New Zealand, currently 1st
Win or lose against France at the Stade de France, New Zealand will remain at the top of the IRB World Rankings.

France, currently 2nd
If France defeat New Zealand, they will remain in second behind the All Blacks. If they lose, they could end up as low as fourth, depending on the results of the matches between England and South Africa, and Ireland v Australia.

Australia, currently 3rd
If Australia defeat Ireland by more than 15 points at Lansdowne Road in Dublin on Sunday, they will move up to second, assuming New Zealand beat France. If Australia lose and South Africa defeat England, Australia will drop to fourth behind South Africa.

South Africa, currently 4th
If South Africa inflict England's eighth successive defeat at Twickenham on Saturday, they will go up to third in the IRB World Rankings. If they win by more than 15 points, they could go up to second, depending on results elsewhere. South Africa will remain in fourth, unless they lose by more than 15 points and Ireland defeat Australia.

Ireland, currently 5th
Ireland could move up to fourth, if they defeat Australia and England beat South Africa by more than 15 points.
Any other scenario, including an Irish loss in Dublin, will see them remain in fifth in the rankings.

Argentina, currently 6th
Argentina will remain in sixth place in the IRB World Rankings if they defeat Italy at the Stadio Flaminio. If they lose, they could end up as low as eighth, whilst Italy will move up to 11th.

England, currently 7th
England will remain in seventh if they defeat South Africa by less than 16 points. If they win by more than 15 points, they will go up to sixth. If England lose, they will go down to eighth in the rankings.

Scotland, currently 8th
As they are playing the Pacific Islanders, the result of this match will not count towards the IRB World Rankings.

Wales, currently 9th
Whatever the result in Cardiff, neither Wales nor Canada will change positions in the rankings. If Canada win, however, they will move to within one rating point of Italy in 12th. Wales will be less than one rating point ahead of Samoa.

The latest IRB World Rankings will be available on irb.com on Monday 20 November at 12 midday UK time.

[Blew Crew]

Why are Wales ranked so poor?

What does everyone think about the rankings system? Do you believe it is accurate?

[JediKnight]

As the ranking system changes in 'live' time then it is supposed to be a true reflection on current form. That'll be why Wales are so low as, despite their draw against Australia, they have had some poor results in 2006, notably in the 6 Nations.

[Blew Crew]

So you believe Wales should be ranked as low as 8th?

And how is Argentina in 6th? I know they just had a good win over England but what other quality oppoisition teams have they beaten?

[Moses]

Argies drew with the British and Irish Lions just before the lions headed to NZ..

[Shaun]

Don't forget Arg gave New Zealand a run for their money when thye played them this year in Argentina!

[luke_the_pom]

every1 beats the British Lions

all bias aside though lads do we think the Wallabies should be ranked 3rd?

[The InnFORCEr]

every1 beats the British Lions

all bias aside though lads do we think the Wallabies should be ranked 3rd?

Although they have not yet been updated on www.irb.com as yet, I believe it will show that 2,3,4,5 (France, Australia, South Africa and Ireland) will be on almost equal points when they do update it....that seem fair to me, there is very little seperating these teams. Perhaps France, Ireland Australia, South Africa will be the order.

[Burgs]

All biase aside Luke, as crap as we are, I think on current form only New Zealand and Ireland are better (or less bad maybe?) than us with Wales and South Africa nearby.
Having watched all of the Tests over the weekend and plenty in the last couple of weeks, for mine I would say that the state of the International game (except for the first pick All Blacks) is far worse than in 2003 and virtually all teams are under-performing &/or rebuilding.
Argentina are on a high though it is hard to gauge the code on their performances.
A couple of things in support for the Wallabies, since the RWC Final NZ have put 34 points on us twice (24-34 & 27-34) and only six teams have scored 30-34 points on us. So even though we lose, when we do we are usually in the hunt and have never (unless you are a journalist) been thrashed in that period.

Our losses since the RWC Final in a 20-1-16 record have been:

NZ 20
NZ 17
Ire 15
SA 13
Fra 13
Eng 10
Fra 10
NZ 10
NZ 9
SA 8
NZ 7
SA 6
NZ 4
SA 4
SA 3
Wal 2
Average 9.4 point loss.

Meanwhile our best wins against others in this RWC cycle have been:

NZ 23-18,
Ire 37-15 & 30-14,
Fra 37-31,
SA 49-0,
Eng 43-18, 34-3 & 51-15,
Sam 74-7,
Sco 31-17, 31-14, 34-13 & 35-15 and
Ita 69-21.

In fact Wales are the only top ten nation that we have played and not beaten since 2003.
So yes, I fully concede that the Wallabies are in a pretty poor state compared to the high standard that they are loved/hated/respected for around the world but overall they do continue to perform on a given day and probably do deserve their position.
When the Wallabies ineviatably do (eventually or rapidly) sort our issues out then we will be right back fighting with NZ for the top billing.

[Burgs]

For the record, here is the chnages panned out, Ireland jumped up two and Australia and South Africa slid one:

1(1) NEW ZEALAND 94.59
2(2) FRANCE 85.86
3(5) IRELAND 84.68
4(3) AUSTRALIA 84.63
5(4) SOUTH AFRICA 83.83
6(6) ARGENTINA 79.70
7(7) ENGLAND 79.55
8(8.) SCOTLAND 77.72
9(9) WALES 77.02
10(10) SAMOA 73.86

[The InnFORCEr]

Perhaps France, Ireland Australia, South Africa will be the order.

I've missed my calling, why am I still selling houses

[Happy]

houses??? plural??