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All Blacks' No.1 ranking slashed
From correspondents in Paris
October 09, 2007
WORLD Cup flop New Zealand has maintained its No.1 spot in the latest IRB world rankings but it has seen its lead over France slashed.
The All Blacks were knocked out of the World Cup 20-18 by the French in Saturday's quarter-finals and their lead over Bernard Laporte's side is now just 1.25 points.
France leapt from fifth to second place in the rankings while Australia slipped to fifth after its 12-10 quarter-final defeat by England.
South Africa remains third and Argentina fourth after their respective quarter-finals wins over Fiji and Scotland.
England remains sixth but trails Australia by less than a point heading into its semi-final against France on Saturday.
Ireland, Scotland, Fiji and Wales complete the top 10, their positions unchanged.
Agence France-Presse
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IRB World Rankings - 08 October 2007