International power rankings

Stephen Samuelson | November 17, 2009

France pulled off the biggest upset since, well, they downed the All Blacks in June. Are they the growing power of world rugby?

1. (1) South Africa - Current IRB ranking: 2 (1)
Matches against Leicester don't count but losses to France do. The IRB rankings have demoted the Springboks, but RugbyHeaven believes they have enough credit in the bank to hold top spot. (Wonder if a loss against Saracens counts then?)

2. (2) New Zealand - Current IRB ranking: 1 (2)
What did the win against Italy prove? The Azzuri do not know how to score points and the All Blacks's depth is not as great as it once was. (Wonder if a Wallaby win would have seen a reshuffle then?)

3. (4) Australia - Current IRB ranking: 3 (3)
It's a close run thing between third and fifth place, but the Wallabies just snare it after having the better of the draw at Croke Park.

4. (6) France - Current IRB ranking: 4 (5)
The French are the only team to beat the Springboks and the All Blacks in 2009. They would be ranked higher but have not beaten the Wallabies in their last four starts.

5. (3) Ireland - Current IRB ranking: 5 (4)
Ireland reached third spot on suspsicion, but they did not quite live up to those heights at Croke Park. The match in a fortnight against South Africa will show the rugby world where they are really at.

6. (5) Wales - Current IRB ranking: 8 (7)
The Grand Slam from 2008 looks a long way off at the moment. Wales stuttered against Samoa and will have to play better to keep Argentina at bay.

7. (8) England - Current IRB ranking: 6 (8)
What was that jumper they were wearing. If it was supposed to signal a purple patch for English rugby, than they got the meaning entirely wroing

8. (7) Argentina - Current IRB ranking: 7 (6)
The Pumas were underdone and had injuries, but they are going to have to fire up and play a more expansive game if they once again want to compete with the big boys.

9. (10) Scotland - Current IRB ranking: 9 (10)
Look what one jump in the place on the power rankings has done to Scotland's confidence. Chris Cusiter says they will "absolutely" beat Australia this weekend. We'll see. (Buckley's)

10. (9) Fiji - Current IRB ranking: 10 (9)
Dropped a spot after losing to Scotland at Murrayfield and now have the rapidly improving Samoans on their tail. (GO MANU SAMOA!!!)