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International

Record highs and lows as World Rugby Rankings get shaken up

By Jon Newcombe

34 days ago

KITAKYUSHU, JAPAN - JULY 05: Blair Murray of Wales shows dejection after the team's 19-24 defeat in the rugby international match between Japan and Wales at Mikuni World Stadium Kitakyushu on July 5, 2025 in Kitakyushu, Fukuoka, Japan. (Photo by Masterpress/Getty Images)

While Wales’ 24-19 defeat to Japan saw them slip to an all-time low of 14th in the World Rugby Rankings, two countries moved to their highest-ever positions after winning at the weekend.

Chile, who are hoping to make it to a second straight Rugby World Cup, having debuted in France in 2023, warmed up for their Sudamericano 2025 World Cup home-and-away qualifiers against Brazil with an impressive 40-16 victory against Romania in Santiago.

Los Condores’ first win against the Oaks at the third attempt has lifted them above their opponents and into the world’s top 20 for the first time in history, and in the process condemned the once-proud Oaks to their lowest-ever position of 21st.

Meanwhile, the United Arab Emirates continue to raise the bar as far as their ranking goes. Over the last 12 months, the UAE have steadily climbed the rankings, from 52nd this time last year, to their current best of 40th.

UAE went into their final match of the 2025 Asia Rugby Championship ranked 43rd, but they’ve moved up three places, on the back of a 29-21 win against Sri Lanka in Colombo.

The victory also keeps their hopes of appearing in the Final Qualification Tournament for RWC 2027 alive, as it secured them second place in Asia Rugby’s elite competition and a play-off against the Rugby Africa runners-up.

Chile and the UAE were not the only teams to climb the rankings this weekend; England and Argentina traded places, after Steve Borthwick’s side marked George Ford’s 100th cap with a statement 35-12 win in Buenos Aires. England have claimed fifth place off Los Pumas, who drop to sixth.

Japan moved up one place to 12th as a result of their win over Wales, and are now just 0.99 points behind Georgia in 11th.

There were no other significant changes to the rankings, with South Africa continuing to lead the way after their 42-24 win over Italy, followed by New Zealand and Ireland, who had wins against France, who remain in fourth, and Georgia.

The All Blacks did, however, manage to shave 0.62 points off the Springboks’ lead, which is now down to 1.8 points.

Australia strengthened their position in eighth, having snatched victory from the jaws of defeat against Fiji. The 21-18 win for the Wallabies boosted their rating by 0.55 points.

The World Rugby Rankings Top 20, as of noon (BST) on 7th July, 2025

South Africa – 92.78
New Zealand – 90.98
Ireland – 89.83
France -88.90
England – 86.72
Argentina – 82.98
Scotland – 82.36
Australia – 82.08
Fiji – 79.52
Italy – 77.77
Georgia – 74.69
Japan – 73.70
Samoa – 72.68
Wales – 72.65
USA – 70.02
Spain – 67.34
Uruguay – 67.06
Portugal – 66.44
Tonga – 65.46
Chile – 63.20

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Comments

9 Comments

Shihan 33 days ago

Will Argentina recover the fifth place in the World ranking if they defeat England this coming Saturday on their second test match in the Province of San Juan?

GM 34 days ago

Those rankings confirm that the Six Nations (3, 4, 6, 7, 10 and 14) have a lot more soft contests than the southern hemisphere championship (1, 2, 6 and 8) , particularly on the back of an understrength Argentina (6) recently beating the Lions. What if Oz beat the Lions? Would that mean #8 should be ranked higher than Ireland (3)? Does make the Six Nations claim to be the premier international tournament a bit suspect.

RedWarrior 33 days ago

The claim is based primarily on competitiveness, atmosphere and public interest. Obviously, matches have historically been of a higher standard down south.

That is levelling up though. The average ranking of Rugby Champs top 4 is (4.25) compared with (4.75) for 6N top 4. Scotland beat Australia well last Autumn, Last 4 Internationals FRA v NZ its 3-1 to France. Last 5 IRE v SA its 4-1 to IRE.

I think the highest standard match this year could well be NZ-SA in Eden Park. But I think overall the case for 6N being better tournament overall considering all the variables can be made and is not suspect.

Edit: since RWC::

SA have won 85% matches

Ireland 76%

France 74%

NZ 73%

MT 34 days ago

So we could have a group of Ireland, Scotland, Wales and Tonga at the world cup, and another group of New Zealand, Japan, USA and Chile. Wouldn’t that be interesting.

IkeaBoy 34 days ago

It would certainly level things up.

Potentially the 3 or 4 big dogs glide through their pools and round of 16 undercooked until a quarter final when they get tested for the first time.

Could actually be a very open tournament.

RedWarrior 34 days ago

If Wales lose the next match then, barring miracles, they will be in the third seeding pool for the RWC draw. Argentina’s big loss will be of interest to Scotland and Australia who are now both within a point of Argentina, 6th place and a first seeding group draw for the RWC. Argentina face England again on Saturday, Australia play Argentina home and away in the Rugby Championships, and Scotland play them in Murrayfield in the Autumn which could be for that 6th seeding place.

Mitch 34 days ago

Australia's matches against Argentina are both in Australia this year.

IkeaBoy 34 days ago

Exactly. Staring into the abyss.

Even they manage to get a win at the weekend, they then have Japan, Argentina, New Zealand & South Africa in November.

If they don’t win at the weekend, it’s likely a 23 game losing streak going into the next 6Nations. Not impossible that becomes 28 games.

Awful for the players and fans but I’ve zero sympathy for their union.

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