IRB World Rankings

[simonokeeffe]

we dont Wales slipping to 9th as then we are guaranteed to get them as 3rd seeds

I'd say that is between France and Scotland. We really don't want France. They could pull it together just in time for WC. We could have them AND Wales if we are top seeds.

I'd say so too but Im a firm believer in bad luck

France sans Noves would be far stronger

[Oldschool]

So if lose the next test to NZ but beat Aus, we should go to third, so long as England beat Oz and RSA, which I think most of us expect to happen.

Raises the question of emphasis and does it even apply.
Should our emphasis be on winning the OZ game.
As an aside had our winning margin been greater than 15 points would our ranking points be higher.

[Oldschool]

we dont Wales slipping to 9th as then we are guaranteed to get them as 3rd seeds

I'd say that is between France and Scotland. We really don't want France. They could pull it together just in time for WC. We could have them AND Wales if we are top seeds.

I'd say so too but Im a firm believer in bad luck

France sans Noves would be far stronger

It's better to be neither an optimist nor a pessimist.
A realist would say that having run NZ close in our last two ganes we can expect something in the next meeting.

[neiliog93]

I think it's much more likely that Scotland are 9th come May after Cotter's last year in charge peters out. France and Wales in 7th and 8th in whatever order. I wouldn't worry too much. If we do get the first seed spot, one of those two would probably be preferable in a RWC pool as second seeds than Argentina or RSA.

[Xanthippe]

As an aside had our winning margin been greater than 15 points would our ranking points be higher.

Yes, it would have been worth a full extra point to us but would still have left us in 5th place.

[Xanthippe]

Latest top 10 following weekend games:

1. BNZ 94.57
2. ENG 89.84 (+0.35)
3. AUS 87.51 (+0.66)
4. RSA 84.49 (-0.35)
5. IRL 83.67
6. WAL 81.72 (+0.75)
7. FRA 80.75
8. ARG 80.71 (-0.75)
9. SCO 79.78 (-0.66)
10. FIJ 75.49

[neiliog93]

Thank God Scotland conceded that late try to lose to Australia. If Argentina were to slip to 9th in the rankings you just know we'd get drawn in group with them and New Zealand for RWC 2019.

[simonokeeffe]

Thank God Scotland conceded that late try to lose to Australia. If Argentina were to slip to 9th in the rankings you just know we'd get drawn in group with them and New Zealand for RWC 2019.

every chance France can fall out of top 8 too, though Aussies resting players for their game may help avoid that

rankings/fixtures looking good for us making top 4, as uninspiring as Wales look to be re beating the Boks let alone by 15 points

Question: do we pick up points even if we lose to NZ by less than 15 as theyre so far ahead of us?

[Xanthippe]

Question: do we pick up points even if we lose to NZ by less than 15 as theyre so far ahead of us?

Nope.

In fact for the first time in quite a long time we'll actually lose points if they beat us on Saturday. Because of last week's victory and our home advantage we are 'technically' less than 10 points behind them so would drop about 0.21 points for a <15 point loss and 0.31 points if they were to win by >15

[simonokeeffe]

Question: do we pick up points even if we lose to NZ by less than 15 as theyre so far ahead of us?

Nope.

In fact for the first time in quite a long time we'll actually lose points if they beat us on Saturday. Because of last week's victory and our home advantage we are 'technically' less than 10 points behind them so would drop about 0.21 points for a <15 point loss and 0.31 points if they were to win by >15

the system is rigged

chapeau as always

[Lar]

Question: do we pick up points even if we lose to NZ by less than 15 as theyre so far ahead of us?

Nope.

In fact for the first time in quite a long time we'll actually lose points if they beat us on Saturday. Because of last week's victory and our home advantage we are 'technically' less than 10 points behind them so would drop about 0.21 points for a <15 point loss and 0.31 points if they were to win by >15

Thanks Xan but please explain to me how we are 'technically' within ten points of them when they are on 94.57 and we are on 83.67?

[Xanthippe]

Question: do we pick up points even if we lose to NZ by less than 15 as theyre so far ahead of us?

Nope.

In fact for the first time in quite a long time we'll actually lose points if they beat us on Saturday. Because of last week's victory and our home advantage we are 'technically' less than 10 points behind them so would drop about 0.21 points for a <15 point loss and 0.31 points if they were to win by >15

Thanks Xan but please explain to me how we are 'technically' within ten points of them when they are on 94.57 and we are on 83.67?

It's one of the ranking rules that always seems strange. The home team have 3 points added to their total because this is the advantage the IRB believe is gained from playing at home so in our case it effectively puts us on 86.67 points this Saturday which then allows us to lose points if we're beaten

[Lar]

Thanks for explaining that. Three points seems rather a lot although I accept that even if it were only one this weekend we would still end up within 10 points of BNZ.

[simonokeeffe]

It's one of the ranking rules that always seems strange. The home team have 3 points added to their total because this is the advantage the IRB believe is gained from playing at home so in our case it effectively puts us on 86.67 points this Saturday which then allows us to lose points if we're beaten

removes my theory that Scotland ARgentina game is a shoot out for top 8, Argies look safe unless France and Scotland both have good 6n and that aint happening for neither

[Xanthippe]

It's one of the ranking rules that always seems strange. The home team have 3 points added to their total because this is the advantage the IRB believe is gained from playing at home so in our case it effectively puts us on 86.67 points this Saturday which then allows us to lose points if we're beaten

removes my theory that Scotland ARgentina game is a shoot out for top 8, Argies look safe unless France and Scotland both have good 6n and that aint happening for neither

No you were right - if France and Scotland win this weekend then Argentina will drop to 9th (actually, they'll drop even if France lose - so long as it's by less than 15 points). Their final AI is against England and let's be honest they're unlikely to win that!!

Between the AIs and the seeding cut off point they will play USA, Canada, Uruguay, Chile and Brazil so there's no possibility of them increasing their standing therefore will need to rely on Scotland and or France having a dismal 6 Nations if they want to be 2nd seeds

[Oldschool]

It's one of the ranking rules that always seems strange. The home team have 3 points added to their total because this is the advantage the IRB believe is gained from playing at home so in our case it effectively puts us on 86.67 points this Saturday which then allows us to lose points if we're beaten

removes my theory that Scotland ARgentina game is a shoot out for top 8, Argies look safe unless France and Scotland both have good 6n and that aint happening for neither

No you were right - if France and Scotland win this weekend then Argentina will drop to 9th (actually, they'll drop even if France lose - so long as it's by less than 15 points). Their final AI is against England and let's be honest they're unlikely to win that!!

Between the AIs and the seeding cut off point they will play USA, Canada, Uruguay, Chile and Brazil so there's no possibility of them increasing their standing therefore will need to rely on Scotland and or France having a dismal 6 Nations if they want to be 2nd seeds

And from what you've said before if each of them win their last game in the 6N it might be all they need.
No idea who their opponents are, ironic if was against each other. Wales and Italy would be their preferred opposition.

[simonokeeffe]

It's one of the ranking rules that always seems strange. The home team have 3 points added to their total because this is the advantage the IRB believe is gained from playing at home so in our case it effectively puts us on 86.67 points this Saturday which then allows us to lose points if we're beaten

removes my theory that Scotland ARgentina game is a shoot out for top 8, Argies look safe unless France and Scotland both have good 6n and that aint happening for neither

No you were right - if France and Scotland win this weekend then Argentina will drop to 9th (actually, they'll drop even if France lose - so long as it's by less than 15 points). Their final AI is against England and let's be honest they're unlikely to win that!!

Between the AIs and the seeding cut off point they will play USA, Canada, Uruguay, Chile and Brazil so there's no possibility of them increasing their standing therefore will need to rely on Scotland and or France having a dismal 6 Nations if they want to be 2nd seeds

yarrrr
side note how are Australia still that high? 3 more defeats and they may be in trouble too?

Scotland 6n: Ireland (H) France (A) Wales (H) England (A) Italy (H) would have to say Italy the only game theyre favourites for, France a shootout then
France 6n: England (A) Scotland (H) Ireland (A) Italy (A) Wales (H) they could realistically do anything from 0 to 3 wins

Update: good news is Boks not resting anyone for Italy game so will be wrecked for Wales game, 4th game/weekend in a row for most of the team

[Xanthippe]

Latest top 15 following weekend games:

1. BNZ 94.78 (+0.21)
2. ENG 89.84
3. AUS 88.14 (+0.62)
4. IRL 83.46 (-0.21)
5. RSA 82.57 (-1.93)
6. WAL 81.77 (+0.05)
7. SCO 80.57 (+0.79)
8. FRA 80.13 (-0.62)
9. ARG 79.91 (-0.79)
10. FIJ 75.49
11. JPN 75.20 (-0.05)
12. GEO 74.24 (+0.46)
13. ITA 74.16 (+1.93)
14. SAM 70.91 (-0.46)
15. TON 70.55 (+0.85)

Big weekend for us despite the loss - thanks Conor

[Degz]

We'll get SA and Argentina in the World Cup group.

You heard it here first.

[Oldschool]

I think this might be first time ever that two teams from the NH are in the top four at the same time.