Wallabies leapfrog England in World Rugby rankings

Mon, Jun 11, 2018, 12:21 PM
Beth Newman
by Beth Newman
The Wallabies have moved up in the world. Photo: RUGBY.com.au/Stuart Walmsley
The Wallabies have moved up in the world. Photo: RUGBY.com.au/Stuart Walmsley

The Wallabies have jumped past England in the latest World Rugby rankings, moving up to third in the world.

A win over Ireland, combined with England's fifth-straight loss, to South Africa, put the Wallabies up a spot for the first time since November.

The Wallabies had slipped to fourth in last year's Spring Tour, after a record defeat to Scotland, and the Brisbane June Test was their first chance to change that.

With their victory, the Wallabies moved up 1.07 points in the rankings, to sit behind New Zealand and Ireland this week.

The All Blacks ran away with a win in Auckland. Photo: Getty ImagesThe All Blacks are still comfortably clear of all comers, with Ireland just 1.49 points ahead of the Wallabies, leaving them vulnerable to a possible slip in the rankings, depending on the June Series results.

Fourth is a two-year low for Eddie Jones's England, whose tenure began with 18 straight victories back in 2016.

Wales sits in fifth behind England, with Scotland, South Africa and France all staying put in their top eight spots.

Fiji has equalled its highest-ever ranking, after beating Samoa 24-22 in the opening round of the Pacific Nations Cup, moving ahead of Argentina, after the South Americans lost to Wales.

RANKINGS

World Rugby rankings, June 11 2018

1. New Zealand - 93.99 

2. Ireland - 88.05

3. Australia - 86.56

4. England - 85.19

5. Wales - 85.13

6. Scotland - 83.83

7. South Africa - 83.81

8. France - 79.10

9.  Fiji - 77.93

10. Argentina - 77.54

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