Rankings
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The big picture
The rankings affect the ceding’s for the RWC Finals draw coming up.
Have not looked at the draw extra close, but I’d say only cedes 1 and 2 are really important, assuming those two will be on opposite sides of the draw and stay apart until the final if they keep winning.South Africa did not earn any points for the win against Japan, they are too far apart on the rankings.
The All Blacks earnt 0.98 points for the win over Ireland, and now have a 2.15 point buffer to third place.
They would have got even more points had Fainga’anuku’s last-minute try not been ruled out by a forward pass call. You get extra ranking points for a win by more than 15.
This would have meant the ABs would have been very, very close to SA at No 1, and an AB win v Scotland, and an SA loss v France would have sent NZ back to the top this weekend.
Be interesting to see if that Fainga’anuku no try has any importance in the final wash.
Just shows while the rankings are very, very big picture, and points can stay in the system for years; one call/no-call can have an effect.England moved ahead of France into fourth position after the win over the Aussies.
Ireland, England and France are now very close together.
The Wallabies loss meant they are now even further away from Argentina.
Scotland, earned no ranking points despite hammering the Yanks, too far apart.
All teams can earn points this weekend, except Ireland.
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Ceding's competition.
Even though the Boks and Blacks won, Boks have extended their lead, with the away win over a big opponent. Scotland was a lesser opponent.
Blacks increased their margin on Ireland and should be safe in 2nd now, even if they lose to England (having Wales next up). Would have been nice to have extra padding with a couple of 15+ point wins.
Ireland got nothing for the win (Japan too far down the rankings), and won’t get a lot of points for a win over Aus.
England could go third this weekend, any win will see them move ahead of Ireland, even if Ireland win.
France remain 5th, and wont get much for a home win over Fiji.
Argentina should be safe in 6th now, with their win and Aus loss. Although 6th is still technically open.
It is still possible for Australia to claim 6th, but would need to beat the Irish by more than 15 points and have Scotland beat Argentina.
A win over Argentina could see Scotland move up into seventh, and even higher, depending on other results.
Remember:
Away wins count more; SH teams will move further in the rankings with wins, than will NH teams.
Wins by 15 plus also get extra.
Wins against higher ranked opponents also count more.
Beating up on someone down the rankings doesn’t get you much, if anything.
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Had a look.
This is how I see it.I think all pools are drawn randomly per band.
Except Australia are in Pool A no matter what band.For Pool winners; A, B and E are on one side of the of the knock-out draw; C, D and F on other.
The actual draw is important; and could tell you a lot about how the comp will pan out.For example; if Boks and Blacks win pools A and B; and win thru R16; they will meet in a Quarter-final.
Not sure I like that.When the draw is made that is what to watch for.
You want to see cede 1 in A, B or E pool, and cede 2 C, D or F.
That sets up the possibilty of cedes 1 and 2 meeting in the final.
Otherwise there will be a big collision early in the comp.
As it stands rn.I think.
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I had forgotten about Wales.
Gone right of my radar.
If they lose to Japan on the weekend, they drop to 13th.
That will put them in a RWC "group of death."
And with NZ and SA the next two opponents . . . not looking good.A loss to either of us won't bother them much: differential is too big.
A win however ...
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Springboks will hold onto the number one ranking, no matter what happens against Ireland.
The gap at the top widened when England beat the Blacks.New Zealand could have closed it to 0.25 with a big win.
NZ will be unable to close the gap as they are against a low Wales.England moved above Ireland to third, but cannot go any higher next week if the ABs win v Wales.
Ireland dropped below England with no points against the Wallabies, but they can return to third v SA.
France cannot lose big to Australia. The Fiji win was not enough to completely secure their top-six place.
Argentina are in the six, and could go 4th with a big win over England (2.52).
Amazingly Australia can still make the six. A big win against France will give them huge points (2.56).
Scotland are out of the six, having a lower Tonga in their last Test.
Wales are guaranteed second seeds after the win over Japan.
Georgia can drop out of the 12 if they lose to Japan.
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Geez, Canada have done a sneaky free fall in the last few years or were not as highly ranked as I thought.
......and Scotland are only two ahead of Wales. Imagine if the Leek eaters beat the sweatie socks in the six nations. @MiketheSnow won't shut up aboot it.
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Geez, Canada have done a sneaky free fall in the last few years or were not as highly ranked as I thought.
Canada have been on a slide since the early 90s.
Jamie Cudmore was always great fun to watch though
Enjoyed him joining the opposition huddle at, I think, the 2003 RWC.
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Geez, Canada have done a sneaky free fall in the last few years or were not as highly ranked as I thought.
Canada have been on a slide since the early 90s.
Jamie Cudmore was always great fun to watch though
Enjoyed him joining the opposition huddle at, I think, the 2003 RWC.
Has his own wine label too. Legend.
