The race for the top spots in the World Rugby Rankings is heating up as the 2027 Rugby World Cup draw approaches, and the upcoming matches will have significant implications. But who will climb the ladder and who will slip down?
The battle for supremacy:
With the pool draw on the horizon, every point matters. South Africa, currently at the summit, cannot increase their rating by defeating Italy, despite the large rating gap between the teams. However, they're safe at the top this weekend as New Zealand can't close the 1.70-point gap by beating England.
A close call:
The All Blacks can get within 0.25 rating points of the Springboks, but only if South Africa stumble. A South African loss would see them drop to second, but they're safe in the top two due to Ireland's inability to surpass Australia, who they lead by 7.16 points before home advantage is considered.
The chase for third:
England, Ireland, and France are all in the mix for third place. A win for England over the All Blacks would see them climb to third, but they can't overtake New Zealand even with a substantial victory. France, on the other hand, needs a big win over Fiji to have a chance at third, but it's a slim one.
The scramble for the top six:
Australia has a shot at breaking into the top six and Band 1 for the RWC 2027 Draw if they defeat Ireland and Argentina loses to Scotland. The Wallabies could even climb to fifth with a big win and a French loss to Fiji. But it's not just Australia; Fiji, too, has an outside chance at the top six if they beat France and both Argentina and Australia lose.
The middle-tier battles:
Scotland aims to overtake Australia, but a win over Argentina won't be enough to catch Los Pumas this weekend. Italy could climb a spot if they upset South Africa and Scotland loses to Argentina. Meanwhile, Georgia remains stagnant in 11th, unable to improve despite a potential win over Canada. Japan can leapfrog Wales with a big win, but Wales is safe from dropping too low due to the opposition below them.
The lower-ranked teams:
USA has a chance to reclaim 15th place with a big win over Romania, but a loss could see them drop several spots. Portugal and Canada have opportunities to move up with wins, while Hong Kong China could enter the top 20 for the first time with a victory over Portugal and favorable results elsewhere.
The rankings are set to change, and the upcoming matches will be crucial in determining the fate of these teams. Will the favorites hold their ground, or will we see some surprising upsets? The rugby world awaits with bated breath. And this is where the real drama unfolds!
