World Rankings Update

[Puja]

I'm mostly resurrecting this thread to note that Australia are now officially worse than Italy after the weekend, and have reached a new low of 10th in the world. I don't think they'll stay there for long, as I think Schmidt is going to do a massive rebuilding job (and their Super Rugby results are looking good so far!), but it's amusing to laugh at their pain.

Actually, a quick check with the calculator says that they're unlikely to stay in 10th for more than a week - the loser of Wales vs Italy drop behind them (unless there's a draw). Anything other than a Wales win means Italy are no longer the lowest ranked 6N side.

From other perspectives, we're now safe in 5th (barring Ireland and us both losing by >16), but can overtake France with a win on Saturday. Scotland can neither rise nor fall (barring the above outre scenario), but Ireland need to win to hold onto 2nd ahead of NZ.

Puja

[Which Tyler]

So, you're saying, Lynagh chose the stronger of his non-England options?

[Banquo]

So, you're saying, Lynagh chose the stronger of his non-England options?

On a serious note, there has to be a serious risk of Aussie RU disappearing, despite Super Rugby results- participation has apparently dropped off an even steeper cliff than ours in the men's game

[Puja]

So, you're saying, Lynagh chose the stronger of his non-England options?

On a serious note, there has to be a serious risk of Aussie RU disappearing, despite Super Rugby results- participation has apparently dropped off an even steeper cliff than ours in the men's game

True - amusing though this is for the short term, for the long term the next few years are make-or-break for the game there. They need to get a win against New Zealand somehow, cause that's the game the casual Aussie fan knows about and cares about. If the Wallabies start to win again, the fans will come flocking back - they've just been drained by years of defeat after defeat and getting to the stage where losing to Portugal became a real risk.

I think they'll be my second team to cheer for over the next few years - rugby needs a strong Australia to survive.

Puja

[Banquo]

So, you're saying, Lynagh chose the stronger of his non-England options?

On a serious note, there has to be a serious risk of Aussie RU disappearing, despite Super Rugby results- participation has apparently dropped off an even steeper cliff than ours in the men's game

True - amusing though this is for the short term, for the long term the next few years are make-or-break for the game there. They need to get a win against New Zealand somehow, cause that's the game the casual Aussie fan knows about and cares about. If the Wallabies start to win again, the fans will come flocking back - they've just been drained by years of defeat after defeat and getting to the stage where losing to Portugal became a real risk.

I think they'll be my second team to cheer for over the next few years - rugby needs a strong Australia to survive.

Puja

There was an emergency IRB meeting there last month I hear.

[Oakboy]

When do we play Australia next? I read that our next three fixtures after the 6N are all against NZ - two away on tour and the first AI. Can anyone confirm that? The only other AI fixture I've seen mentioned is Japan (and Jones!).

[Puja]

When do we play Australia next? I read that our next three fixtures after the 6N are all against NZ - two away on tour and the first AI. Can anyone confirm that? The only other AI fixture I've seen mentioned is Japan (and Jones!).

We're playing Japan first (in Japan), then 2 tests in NZ, then AIs are NZ, Australia, South Africa, Japan.

Puja

[Oakboy]

When do we play Australia next? I read that our next three fixtures after the 6N are all against NZ - two away on tour and the first AI. Can anyone confirm that? The only other AI fixture I've seen mentioned is Japan (and Jones!).

We're playing Japan first (in Japan), then 2 tests in NZ, then AIs are NZ, Australia, South Africa, Japan.

Puja

Cheers.

[Puja]

Two interesting notes from the rankings movements today: England are officially a better team than Scotland again, at least until tomorrow, and Wales are now officially worse than Georgia.

Puja

[Slater582]

Two interesting notes from the rankings movements today: England are officially a better team than Scotland again, at least until tomorrow, and Wales are now officially worse than Georgia.

Puja

Does the current low ranking for Wales mean a loss to them is more damaging to World Ranking than usual?

[Puja]

Two interesting notes from the rankings movements today: England are officially a better team than Scotland again, at least until tomorrow, and Wales are now officially worse than Georgia.

Puja

Does the current low ranking for Wales mean a loss to them is more damaging to World Ranking than usual?

It does, but with the game being away from home, it's not quite at the maximum that the points transfer can cap out at. We will only drop a position if we lose and Scotland win against France though (which would cap out at the highest points transfer possible in the system).

To emphasise, we are currently in 6th position and it is critical that we stay in the top 6 by the end of the year, as that is when the RWC seedings and draw are being done, so the team that finishes 7th could be in a pool with one of NZ/SA/Fra/Ire.

Puja