Ireland could have finished the day as world number one, had they not conceded a late try in Dunedin.
The latest round of Test matches, this weekend, has seen a big shift in the top 10 of the World Rugby rankings, and a new No.1.
After a weekend that saw the northern hemisphere nations bounce back, the big climbers are Wales, England, Ireland and France. Indeed, Les Bleus will top the World Rugby rankings – when they are released on Monday – for the first time since the rankings were introduced, in 1993.
Fabien Galthie’s side made a minimal gain by beating Japan over the last two weekends, but the big switch in the rankings comes after South Africa lost 13-12 to Wales. That first ever Welsh Test win on South African soil sees the reigning World Cup winners lose two ranking points and drop to third.
Ireland are up to second in the world after their first ever win over the All Blacks in New Zealand. Andy Farrell’s side won 23-12 in Dunedin and picked up 1.55 ranking points, lifting them up to just shy of 89 points. New Zealand have dropped from second to fourth.
Although it will not matter a jot to Ireland, given they are chasing a historic Test Series win over the All Blacks, they would have climbed to No.1 in the rankings had they not conceded a 78th minute try to Will Jordan.
Wales win key in World Rugby rankings shift
South Africa coach Jacques Nienaber did take a risk by changing 14 players from the XV that beat Wales with a last-minute penalty, last weekend.
They were 12-3 clear but Wales staged a comeback that was topped off with a Josh Adams try that Gareth Anscombe converted, with just over a minute to play. Wales are up to eighth, one ahead of Scotland.
🎙️ "ITS JOSH ADAMS IN THE CORNER!"
Wales get the first TRY of the game and they are on the brink of creating HISTORY! 😱
🏉 #SAvWAL pic.twitter.com/2TdSPzbN8t
— Sky Sports Rugby Union (@SkySportsRugby) July 9, 2022
Elsewhere, England leapfrogged Australia, from sixth to fifth, after they beat Dave Rennie’s men 25-17 in Brisbane. Samoa beat Tonga in the Pacific Nations and are up to 12th in the world.
World Rugby will officially confirm the full, updated rankings on Monday afternoon. Scotland are away to Argentina and USA are playing Chile in a World Cup qualification encounter.
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