Americas Rankings – November 20 2016

Following the completion of international competition this weekend there have been changes to the Americas Rankings. The updated Americas Rankings – November 20 2016 show changes.

The Top 8 from the Americas all played this weekend. Six of these teams competed in Europe with Paraguay vs Colombia being the only regional fixture. Paraguay’s 39-27 home win sees them benefiting in the Americas Rankings. Paraguay has improved from 48.77 to a new ranking of 49.46 points. Los Tucanes have slipped from 48.96 to 47.97 points. Neither side will be effected in Americas Rankings overall but in the World Rankings they will. Paraguay will rise above Senegal and Colombia will fall below both Tunisia and Kazakhstan.

Brazil’s loss in the first of two tests to Germany was by 10 points. With the margin being below 15 and the teams rankings being distant the result sees no change to Brazil’s points. It means Brazil retains its spot in 6th position though Paraguay is very close.

Uruguay’s quest to retain its new status as a Tier 2 nation is under threat. For the second week in-a-row Uruguay has lost points. Los Teros’ losses to the lower ranked Germany and now Spain see it paying the price in World Rankings. In losing by more than 15 points Uruguay’s ranking has taken a tumble. The new ranking of 61.20 is a significant fall from 62.27 points. It means Russia is now back in the world’s top 20 and Uruguay is 21st, just above Spain.

Another to fall in the world rankings is Argentina. Los Pumas last-gasp defeat to Scotland has cost them dearly. Argentina and Scotland have traded places with Argentina now 9th in the world. With an eye to the draw for Japan 2019 it is nothing short of a complete disaster. Argentina can rise by defeating England next Saturday. A failure to do so will require one of France, Scotland or Wales to have a poor Six Nations to fall out of 5th-8th in the world.

The USA has finished the year ranked second in the Americas. The Eagles may yet fall, depending on how Canada performs against Samoa next weekend. The USA’s narrow loss against Tonga sees them drop from 65.21 to 64.66 points. Canada’s defeat at the hands of Romania sees the Maple Leafs slightly falling from 64.53 points to 64.29.

The country to be taking the biggest fall of all is Chile. Los Cóndores unthinkable defeat against South Korea sees them crashing from 56.65 to 55.08 points. Both South Korea and Portugal rise above Chile in World Rankings as a result. Chile remains comfortably ahead of Brazil in the Americas Rankings.

More rugby will be played next weekend. It will be the final match of the year for Argentina, Canada and Uruguay. Chile, Colombia, Paraguay and the USA all played their final matches on Saturday. Next month will see more test rugby with the South American C Championship.