Americas Rugby News Rugby news from across the Americas!
Following international matches this weekend the Final World Rankings have been posted before the Rugby World Cup. Confirmed as the world’s top four are New Zealand, Australia, South Africa and England in that order. This means that only Pool D lacks a side ranked among the best heading into the World Cup. Participants Ireland and France are 6th and 7th respectively.
Argentina enters the World Cup as the top ranked side from the Americas. This has been the status quo since World Rankings began in 2003. The remaining teams from the Americas now enter the World Cup ranked 15th, 18th and 19th in the world.
Unlike in previous World Cups the USA enter as the top ranked North American country while Canada sit lowly compared to what has traditionally been the country’s standing in the international order. Uruguay are 19th, ahead of Namibia and Rugby World Cup 1999 and 2011 competitors Spain and Russia.
The USA go ahead of Georgia and remain just below Italy after the Lelos suffered losses against Canada and Japan in England this past week.
Uruguay’s win against Basque Country in Spain did not count towards World Rankings while Canada remain in check, but behind World Cup opponents Romania. Their Pool match in Milton Keynes will determine who is ranked higher.
