IRB World Rankings
Welcome back!
South Africa have reclaimed the second spot on the IRB World Rankings after their win over Australia 53-8 in Johannesburg. Australia can reclaim second spot with a win against New Zealand in Brisbane.
No other changes occured in the Top 10 due to a lack of international rugby matches.
The list of the top 10 are below;
New Zealand
Australia
South Africa
Argentina
England
Wales
France
Ireland
Scotland
Italy
IRB World Rugby Rankings
The IRB latest world ranking’s have been a major blow to the South African Springboks as they have dropped from No 1. at ths start of the year to No 3. behind the New Zealand All Blacks and Australian Wallabies.
South Africa have had a horror Rugby Tri-Nations series while Australia have improved dramatically after being fourth at the start of the Rugby Tri-Nations series.
The list of the top 10 are below;
New Zealand
Australia
South Africa
Argentina
England
Wales
France
Ireland
Scotland
Italy
IRB World Cup bids confirmed
The IRB have confirmed bids for the Rugby World Cup in 2015 and 2019. 10 unions have expressed an interest and including exotic Rugby nations like Russia and Jamaica alongside stalwarts such as Australia, England, South Africa and Ireland.
Australia, England, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Scotland, South Africa and Wales have submitted an interest in 2015.
While Australia, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Russia, Scotland, South Africa and Wales are looking towards 2019.
The next Rugby World Cup will be held in New Zealand in 2011. The 2015 and 2019 World Cup’s will be announced in July 2009.
If the IRB is serious about expanding the game which I believe they are then they need to award at least one of the World Cup’s to a developing Rugby nation like Italy or Japan. Japan was overlooked for the 2011 World Cup after getting pipped by New Zealand for hosting rights. In July 2009 the IRB will be able to undo the mistake of not selecting them for 2007.
Who do you think should be awarded the 2015 and 2019 Rugby World Cup?
Argentina test a waste of time?
Was the Argentina test against the World Cup champions South Africa a waste of time? Well that is the question being asked after a team that is mostly in pre-season training were smashed off the park by South Africa at the height of the southern hemisphere rugby calender.
The test seems to have been a waste of time judging from the result and few expert commentators expected the match to be close. It was looking quite the opposite when Argentina lead 9-0 after 30 minutes but it soon turned into a bloodbath.
The result will damage Argentina’s hopes of playing in a future four team southern hemisphere competition much like the European Six Nations. The Pumas are rebuilding but a result like this will not further their credentials at a time when a good result would have provided further impetus to their southern hemisphere push to join the South African’s, Australia and New Zealand.
ELVs Divide Hemisphere’s
The new Experimental Law Variations (ELVs) due to be incorporated in world rugby has experienced major changes even before introduced. The Northern Hemisphere heavyweights of England, Ireland and Wales have gone against the IRB rule changes to introduce the ELVs on a trial basis for one year by rejecting them totally. The three countries will continue to play under the existing rules which has ignited a heated war of words from Southern Hemisphere nations that have been playing under the ELVs through the Super 14 and the Tri-Nations series.
This is a potentially damaging move as it will also cause conflict unless resolved soon with the Six Nations tourament to be played early in 2009 as other nations such as Scotland, France and Italy have not shown any discourse towards the proposed IRB changes. In my opinion the introduction of the ELVs have been an outstanding success and have made a huge difference to the game with the Super 14 rewarding more aggressive play at the breakdown and team fitness. The days of slow drawn out matches dominated by kicking and penalties was a distant memory and for teams like England, Wales and Ireland refusing to move forward I fear they are voting with an outdated logic and one that is not about improving the game we love but stopping it’s natural progression.
Do you have an opinion on ELVs? Share your thoughts in the comments section.
IRB World Rankings - All Blacks No. 1
The IRB have updated the latest rankings for all Rugby nations. After the win by the All Blacks against the Springboks the All Blacks have stolen the top spot followed by South Africa. Australia have also replaced Argentina in third place after the recent poor performance of the Pumas against Scotland and the shock loss to Italy.
The top 10 teams are;
1. New Zealand
2. South Africa
3. Australia
4. Argentina
5. England
6. Wales
7. France
8. Ireland
9. Scotland
10. Italy
Click here to see a complete list of all rankings.
Rugby World Cup 2015 & 2019
The International Rugby Board will announce next summer the successful holders of the 2015 and 2019 World Cup’s at the same time. This is a first for the IRB to allocate the World Cup holders at the same time and seems to be following a similar path to the FIFA who will name the 2018 and 2022 World Cup holders at the same time.
The Rugby World Cup is regarded as one of the top five global sporting competitions and is a huge television drawcard around the world.
IRB World Rankings
The International Rugby Board (IRB) announced the latest rankings of all Rugby playing nations on 16 June 2008.
The only movement within the top 10 from last week is Scotland moving up one place after their surprise victory against Argentina and Fiji dropping back one spot as a result of the Scottish win. Among other major top 20 nations Samoa has moved from 13th to 12th spot and Japan from 16th to 15th after recent performances in the Pacific Nations Cup.
The top 10 are;
South Africa
New Zealand
Argentina
Australia
England
Wales
France
Ireland
Scotland
Fiji
A full list can be viewed at the Official IRB Rugby site.
IRB World Rankings
The International Rugby Board (IRB) announced the latest rankings of all Rugby playing nations on 9 June 2008.
The Top 10 are pretty much as expected and will depending on results in the current rugby season show some movements. South Africa are still ranked No. 1 after winning the 2007 World Cup. New Zealand are ranked No. 2 and will be keen to win the Tri-Nations to return to the No. 1 spot they have held for many years but failed to deliver at World Cup level. Argentina have pipped Australia for the third spot after a sensational World Cup campaign that surprised the rugby world. Australia will also been keen for a strong Tri-Nations to move back up the world rankings.
The top 10 are;
South Africa
New Zealand
Argentina
Australia
England
Wales
France
Ireland
Fiji
Scotland
A full list can be viewed at the Official IRB Rugby site.
Argentina 21 - Scotland 15
Argentina were dominant in their 21-15 victory against Scotland scoring a two tries to nil victory. Scotland lead early though a Paterson penalty goal but Argentina lead at half time 10-9 after a try to Tejeda and a successful conversion helped Argentina to a narrow half time lead.
The second half again provided Scotland with a chance to take the lead and Paterson did not disappoint taking the penalty goal. It was not till the second try to Argentina through their centre Tiesi that Argentina were able to cement a decent lead which they were successful in maintaining a match winning lead till the full time whistle sounded.
Scotland will have another chance to beat Argentina in the second test match but will have to improve from this performance and show more attacking flair to be a chance.
Argentina 21
Tries: Tejeda, Tiesi
Goals: Todeschini, 3 penalties, 1 conversion
Scotland 15
Goals: Paterson, 5 penalties