There Could Be Some Major Movement In The World Rankings This Weekend
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Battle at the top.
The Rugby Championship returns after its break this weekend with Australia hosting New Zealand in the first Bledisloe Cup match of 2019, and Argentina hosting table-toppers South Africa.
And on this side of the hemisphere, four Six Nations teams will ramp up their World Cup preparations with the first of the warm-ups. Ireland host Italy on Saturday and Wales take on England at Twickenham on Sunday.
But what do these games mean for the World Rugby Rankings? Quite a lot actually. A defeat for the All Blacks on Saturday would see Grand Slam winners Wales become the number one team in the world – but perhaps only briefly.
While it’s a bit of a stretch hoping for an All Blacks loss on Saturday, even if they do Wales will surrender top spot just over 24 hours later if they lose to England. Either way it’s going to be a belter of a weekend.
Things get interesting at the top of the table as well. If New Zealand lose to Australia then Wales will take the top spot.
However, Wales also play, and need to AT MINIMUM draw with England to take the top spot. A loss to England will see New Zealand stay 1.#rugby #rankings pic.twitter.com/xMeybhvi4W
— Rugby4Cast (@Rugby4Cast) August 6, 2019
