The RLIF Rankings have been updated following the mid-season tests with Australia retaining their world No.1 ranking following their 30-12 ANZAC test victory over New Zealand.
The Kiwis remain behind them in second followed by England who are coming off a 30-10 victory over Samoa. There is only one change inside the top 10 with Ireland overtaking Fiji into seventh place.
Tonga have improved three places to 11th, moving past Serbia after Leilani Latu’s try on the siren that saw them knock off Fiji 26-24.
Meanwhile, Malta go ahead of Spain into 19th while Lebanon did not move from their ranking of 21st despite defeating Malta 24-4.
Following their strong showing against the PNG Kumuls, the Cook Islands have pipped Czech Republic to sit at world No.24.
In other changes, Niue have moved into world No.31 ahead of South Africa while Hungary were big movers increasing by five places to 33rd.
Thailand’s inclusion in the rankings sees them into 35th while El Salvador have jumped past Latvia and Solomon Islands into world No.38 and Uruguay join the rankings at 41st ahead of Morocco.
The updated rankings come just days after the King’s Cup was confirmed to be held in Pattaya Beach, Thailand in October.
The tournament will see Philippines, Malta and Hungary compete alongside Thailand and serve as an exciting tournament ahead of next year’s Emerging Nations World Championship to be held in Sydney.
In Istanbul, Dorcol proved themselves defeating Kadikoy Bulls 62-0 in the Balkan Super League while Novi Belgrade were knocked off by rivals Partizan 48-10 in a second-half blitz.
RLIF Rankings
1. Australia
2. New Zealand
3. England
4. Scotland
5. Samoa
6. France
7. Ireland
8. Fiji
9. Wales
10. United States
11. Tonga
12. Serbia
13. Canada
14. Italy
15. Papua New Guinea
16. Russia
17. Jamaica
18. Belgium
19. Malta
20. Spain
21. Lebanon
22. Ukraine
23. Germany
24. Cook Islands
25. Czech Republic
26. Norway
27. Denmark
28. Greece
29. Sweden
30. Netherlands
31. Niue
32. South Africa
33. Hungary
34. Philippines
35. Thailand
36. Chile
37. Vanuatu
38. El Salvador
39. Latvia
40. Solomon Islands
41. Uruguay
42. Morocco
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