New Zealand were top of the world rankings just over five weeks ago
New Zealand could plummet to a record low in the global rugby rankings this weekend, just weeks after they topped the pile as the highest-ranked team in the world.
The All Blacks spent four weeks in the number one spot during The Rugby Championship, having stolen the crown from South Africa by beating Argentina at the start of the tournament last month. However, after suffering a record defeat to the Springboks, they have slipped back down the table and now sit in third position.
Now, this weekend could see them drop as low as seventh in the world, as they prepare to face Australia in their latest Bledisloe Cup encounter in Auckland. Join WalesOnline Rugby’s WhatsApp Channel here to get the breaking news sent straight to your phone for free
If they fall to defeat against the Wallabies for the first time in 10 matches, Scott Robertson’s side will slip to fifth in the world, below France and England who would move into third and fourth respectively. That would mark New Zealand’s lowest position in over three years, having last been fifth in August 2022.
But it could get even worse for Robertson’s men, as a defeat by more than 15 points on Saturday would see Australia move above them into fifth in the world, with the All Blacks dropping to a lowest-ever position of sixth.
The Wallabies have not won by such a margin since August 2019, when they recorded a 47-26 victory over their rivals at that year’s Rugby Championship.
However, if it were to happen again, it would spell disaster for New Zealand, particularly if Argentina’s meeting with South Africa also doesn’t go their way. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby.
Robertson’s side could slip as low as seventh in the world this weekend
If they lose to Australia and Los Pumas stun South Africa in their meeting in Durban on Saturday, then the All Blacks will fall all the way down to the unthinkable position of seventh.
Incredibly, that would put them outside the first pot of seeds for the 2027 Rugby World Cup, the draw for which is being made in December and will be based on the global rankings at the end of the autumn internationals.
While they would have another meeting with Australia, as well as autumn clashes with Ireland, Scotland, England and Wales to climb back up into the top seeds, dropping to seventh would mark a disastrous collapse for New Zealand rugby, just weeks after being quite literally on top of the world.
Of course, it would require an unprecedented set of circumstances to actually happen, but what is for certain is that Robertson’s side won’t be able to move up the standings at all, even if they beat the Wallabies.
The most they stand to gain is 0.26 ranking points, which would see them close the gap on Ireland in second, but wouldn’t be enough to overtake them.
It could be a good weekend for the Irish, however, as an Argentina win against the Springboks would see Rassie Erasmus’ men slip to second, with Andy Farrell’s side moving up to top spot. It would be the first time that Ireland have occupied the number one position since November last year.
It comes after Fiji cemented their place in the top 10 with victory over Japan, who have now fallen further adrift of Wales in 12th. Other movers further down the table include Tonga, who have moved up to 17th ahead of Uruguay and Portugal, while Chile also received a boost to their ranking points after drawing with Samoa.
The current World Rugby rankings (as of September 26)