After a few months of relative inactivity, the IRB World Rankings will see some movement as, most notably, the number one ranked team – the All Blacks – have their place under threat.
The French created a piece of history by becoming only the fourth team to win at Carisbrook, joining the British and Irish Lions (1930, 1971) the Wallabies (2001) and Springboks (2008) as the only sides to have won at the infamous “House of Pain.”
The 27-22 score line – according to the All Blacks themselves – flattered the home team, and realistically for most of the match the French dominated in all facets.
It was testament to the spirit shown in an inexperienced (with only 317 tests matches) All Blacks team that they trailed by only six points at halftime and were technically still in the game until full time.
The result sees the All Blacks remain on top of the world standings, but will now hold just a one point advantage over second placed South Africa.
Meanwhile, France, courtesy of the win, takes a full two ranking points off the All Blacks and jumps up three places.
In Canberra, the Wallabies prevailed over Italy 31-8, setting the early marker as the form team of the Tri Nations. Due to the gap between the two nations (3rd V 12th), there was no rating exchange.
However, if Italy could somehow pull off the upset of rugby history next week against Australia, they would move into the top ten, and the Wallabies would drop to within half ranking point of Ireland who are ranked below them on fourth.
In the America’s rugby theatre, England travelled to Argentina, where they would meet the Puma’s after smashing them 37-15 last week in Old Trafford.
At the Padre Martearena Stadium, a home team buttressed by forwards Mario Ledesma, Marcos Ayerza and Rimas Alvarez Kairelis, looked far more capable in the set piece, and caused an England team missing key players in the Lions tour countless problems.
It was probably the most impressive performance from the South American’s since their effort at the 2007 World Cup, as they have flattered to impress in the last 18 months.
The 24-22 victory to Argentina sees them leapfrog England in the rankings, after the English had briefly overtaken them in the rankings last week.
The Pacific Nations Cup, which after an impressive losing performance by Samoa to the Junior All Blacks (16-17), promises to be a thrilling tournament this year. The match had no affect on the world rankings.
In Tonga, the home team was overrun by the Fijians 36-22.
The ‘Ikale Tahi (the traditional name for the Tongan team) began the game more impressively, taking an 8-5 lead in the early stages of the game. But then Fijian flanker Semisi Saukawa scored, quickly followed by Timoci Nagusa.
Both tries were converted to take the score to 19-8 at halftime to Fiji.
A thrilling second half in front of a boisterous crowd saw the teams exchange tries, with the Tongans scoring twice with their last score being a penalty try.
But the Fijians exerted impressive pressure on the breakdown, and despite having Tonga dominate at some set pieces, Fiji’s victory leaves them in good stead before the tournament moves to their country for the bulk of the competition.
Although both teams gained and lost ranking points, their positions on the IRB table remained the same.
In other matches, Tunisia moved closer to their maiden World Cup appearance in defeating Uganda by an impressive 41-17. The away victory, played in Kampala RC in Uganda, will followed with a return match in Tunisia. If they win, they will progress to the African cup final, in which Ivory Coast and Namibia are fighting to decide the other berth.
The winner of the African Cup takes the Africa 1 World Cup berth, and will share a pool with the current World Champions.
The victory saw Tunisia shoot up the world rankings to 28th.
In the Nations Cup, Romania defeated Uruguay 17-11.
IRB rankings (ranking and position, before and after)
All Blacks – 1st 92.68 stay at 1st 90.68
Springboks – 2nd
Australia – 3rd 85.86 no change
Ireland – 4th
France – 8th 79.94 move to 5th 81.94
Argentina – 7th 80.42 move to 6th 81.72
England – 5th 82.10 drop to 7th 81.23
Wales – drop to 8th due to other results
Fiji – 9th 75.24 stay at 9th 76.02Italy – 12th 71.23 no change
Tonga – 14th 70.05 stay at 14th 69.27Romania – 18th 64.26 stay at 18th 64.85
Uruguay – 20th 63.16 stay at 20th 62.57Tunisia – 32nd 53.37 move to 28th 55.03
Uganda – 36th 51.42 move to 43rd 49.76
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