RWC top 10 Power Rankings week 1: Ford, and improved defence, fires England, Boks show impressive variety

The World Cup got underway with an excellent performance from the hosts, while England overcame the odds of going a man down against Argentina. Here’s how the teams rank based on their opening matches.

1. France

With all the pressure of a home crowd and opening the World Cup, France looked strong, structured and capable of accumulating points. Despite missing some of their usual starters and with their inspirational captain Antoine Dupont remaining fairly well guarded, Thomas Ramos was accurate off the boot collecting points and building scoreboard pressure, while stand in No.10 Matthieu Jalibert guided the team around the park. It was up front however, where the platform was set with the French pack setting the platform and powering the team home on a scorching Parisian night. This was the best possible start for the French. Magnifique!

2. South Africa

Put under pressure and still able to respond, the Springboks are looking strong. With Manie Libbok growing into his role as the conductor at 10, the Bokke pack once again set the platform with a dominating line out performance, restricting the Scots to just three points.

These 2023 Springboks are far from a one dimensional team, with a devastating running game, tactical kicking and attacking threats across the park backed up by an umbrella defence that suffocates opposition. Job one is done, beating Scotland. The first step in what should be a long tournament for the reigning champs.

Manie Libbok. (Photo by Michael Steele – World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images)

3. Ireland

An easier start to the World Cup for Ireland, but they didn’t miss a beat. Johnny Sexton returned to lead his team around the park, scoring two of his team’s 12 tries en route to a 24 point personal haul. Peter O’Mahony was back to his pulverising best up front, while Bundee Aki looked strong in the backs, cutting the Romanian defence to ribbons. There is more to come from the men in green as they look to get passed the quarter finals, but first a stronger proposition awaits with Tonga up next.

4. England

Under all sorts of pressure coming in, the English delivered with 14 men against a sub-par Argentinian side who’ll be regretting the one that got away. With Owen Farrell and Manu Tuilagi in the naughty boys chairs, it was George Ford’s turn to lead the team by bringing back the tried and true drop goal to take England into the break with a healthy lead. Where against Fiji there were holes, this week the defence looked much sterner. Discipline played its part once again with Tom Curry receiving a yellow card which was turned red by the Bunker. 

George Ford of England looks on during the Rugby World Cup France 2023 match between England and Argentina at Stade Velodrome on September 9, 2023 in Marseille, France. (Photo by Jean Catuffe/Getty Images)

5. Australia

A win’s a win for Eddie’s men. New recruits, new captain and a new mindset. From obscurity, Ben Donaldson turned on a Man of the Match performance with two tries and six successful kicks, helping shore up one spot in the outside backs. Will Skelton led from the front, the one man wrecking machine dominating at maul time and setting the scene for the Wallabies. Despite losing Tate McDermott to a head knock, the Australians remained composed and took down the much vaunted Georgian forwards. In one of the closest pools, Australia currently sits top.

6. New Zealand

The same issues remain for the All Blacks. Put under pressure up front and directionless in the backs. They’ll be better for this hit out, but need to find form quick. The holes left by Lomax, Frizell, Jordie Barrett, an under done Retallick and the late withdrawal of captain Sam Cane, left the side without much of its line bending prowess. At halftime, the men in black looked to be wearing down Les Bleus, but by the end of the game it was the men in black who had wilted. Once again, without a solid platform, Mo’unga looked lost and confused about whether it was him or Beauden Barrett with the keys. No doubt there will be more learnings, and with time on their side it’s not dire straits yet, but the ship will need to turn soon to avoid an early exit in the quarter finals.

7. Wales

Coming in under pressure, Wales held on with enough composure to beat the fast finishing Fijians. Dan Biggar set the tone for the Welshmen, who will be happy to have built a large enough lead to hold on at the death. In what was a free flowing, willing encounter, Wales showed they’re not to be written off yet. Warren Gatland’s experience in the big dance providing a template for his team of experience combined with youth to deliver. With one win under their belt, are Wales on their way to the quarterfinals?

8. Fiji

So close, yet so far. Three missed try opportunities and Fiji fell just short in their opener. With physical prowess across the park, the Fijians just kept hitting the Welsh hard. When the energy started to wane, on came the bench of even bigger, more powerful athletes. With tries from Josua Tuisova and Mesake Doge in the last five minutes, it was down to their biggest star of all, Semi Radradra, to put the icing on the cake…but it wasn’t to be. So much power, so much passion. The Fijians need to chalk up a W, but with Australia up next are already under pressure.

9. Scotland

With much talk before the World Cup began about the ‘pool of death’, Scotland needed to hit the ground running first up against the Springboks. Try as they might, and despite the constant threats offered by Finn Russell, their lineout wobbled at crucial times, the interplay wasn’t as sharp as it needed to be, and the opportunity to start the campaign strongly was lost. Scotland stood proud but ultimately weren’t strong enough for the Springboks. Scotland now need to beat Ireland to advance from the pool of death, but based on this performance it’s a big mountain to climb.

10. Italy

The Italians started their campaign with a rusty first half against one of the minnows of their pool in Namibia, but found the right balance in the second half to cruise home in the French sun. A sizzling try by Ange Capuozzo, with Tommaso Allan scoring 17 points off the boot were the highlights in lower-profile encounter. This was a solid win to begin the World Cup, but with stronger opposition in France and New Zealand to come, the Italians will need all the momentum they can muster heading into the end of pool play.