Rugby standings: Ireland wins over New Zealand | sport

1 Ireland ▲ (1 place from September)

Steve Hansen knew what he was doing when he was named the world's number 1 player by Ireland, even though the official rankings have not been there yet. He said: "It's their turn now, so we'll see how they get out of it." they do not do a bad job and do not waste time to announce that Andy Farrell will replace Joe Schmidt after the World Cup next year, where a top spot among the last four is the least expected. A second victory over the All Blacks in three games is a tactical master clbad, organized by Schmidt and Farrell and led by their players with relentless intensity. And all without Conor Murray. They are favorites to defend the Six Nations title and, as Hansen and Eddie Jones have recently said, they have the ideal national setup for international success.

2 New Zealand ▼ (1 place)

It is far too early to say that they are in decline, but four defeats over the last 18 months demonstrate that they have lost their footing. In the absence of matches until next summer, the next six months will be crucial for Steve Hansen and his team of coaches. Adjustments rather than global changes are needed, but there is no doubt that the migration of players to the northern hemisphere hurts them. Perhaps it's time to accept the fact that Beauden Barrett, despite all his striker skills, is a misplaced back-back and that New Zealand needs a half-diner in Johnny Sexton's mold or Owen Farrell, able to guide them in tight games. . Kieran Read will enjoy a long rest because it was part of a back line that appeared under par this fall, let alone Sam Cane. They are still the team to beat, but Ireland and South Africa have shown how that could be done.

3 Wales ▲ (1 place)

Warren Gatland may have exaggerated by saying that four out of four victories in November were the same as a Six Nations grand slam, but Wales' progress can no longer be ignored. Their three-point victory over Australia was not a clbadic, but did not underestimate its significance after 13 successive Wallabies defeats. The development of the force in depth continues at the same pace as Gareth Anscombe, in particular, who is now looking for every square centimeter like a half-flyer. What a pity to see Ellis Jenkins badly injured after shining on the opposite side, but if Sam Warburton does not miss his flanker, his leadership may come from Japan. Alum Wyn Jones is totemic but needs support in this direction. Happy to see George North again dangerous.

4 England ▲ (1 place)

Reasons for optimism after three wins out of four, although significant staff changes still feel like they have arrived a little late. Jones says that he wants about 800 selections in his starting XV next year but without recalling Mike Brown, Chris Robshaw and Dan Cole, he is not going to get there and choose one. between them would be a step back now. Jones seems to be most satisfied with his team's performance against New Zealand in the first period, but the most informative 40 minutes are likely to have been against Australia in the second half. Yes, the Wallabies were lamentable, but it was England who took the initiative (they always seem more comfortable when they are reactionary) and who adopted a power game that will be stimulated only by the brothers Vunipola. That being said, it is an overwhelming indictment that none of the political parties rely on one man, unlike England on Owen Farrell. If their captain were to be injured – he officially shares the title with Dylan Hartley, but it's his team – the chances of success of England in Japan weaken it.

5 South Africa ▼ (2 places)

Four games this fall, all decided at less than 10 points, with two wins and two losses for the Springboks. There is no need to panic at this point, the curtain rises on the first year of Rbadie Erasmus, despite the defeats of England and Wales. Faf de Klerk has not played in either of the two matches for the first time, and Erasmus is starting the year 2019 safely, knowing that he has once again established his team as a contender. The next year's rugby championship must be eliminated first, but right now they can look forward to their first World Cup match against New Zealand, having beaten them once and be about to do it again this summer. . It's not their fault, but it's one of the hottest notes in the fall that De Klerk was in the crowd at Twickenham, not on the pitch, and overall, it's always felt that there is still room for a clearer selection policy. .

6 Scotland ▲ (2 places)

A close defeat against South Africa and another defeat in Cardiff ensure that optimism reigns in the camp. Scotland has unveiled new players in the intensity of the Test match, scoring an emphatic victory against an unprepared Fijian team ahead of Argentina. John Barclay was missed last, but what they would not give for a big scalp on the road – they go to Paris and Twickenham – during the Six Nations before heading to Japan. The bottom line is resolute and elegant. Huw Jones has a growing influence outside the center, while Finn Russell remains their No. 1 semifinal despite the emergence of Adam Hastings. Their World Cup match against Japan – the last match of Pool A – is decisive announcement.

7 Australia ◀ ▶ (no moving)

Australia has had its worst year since 1958, with nine losses and four wins. The persistent feeling, however, is that they have the talent and the competitive nature they need in Japan. If a moment in the fall has brought to light one of their long-term problems, it's the tackle on Farrell's arm on Izack Rodda. Farrell is one of the toughest players, but it's hard to imagine that he would have been more than a retarder if Nathan Sharpe or John Eales had attacked him, and that the Wallabies were so in need of a craze. , granite lock or two for years. Will Skelton, currently in Saracens, would be back in the fold if the eligibility rules were relaxed and Sean McMahon, currently in Japan, returned to the team. Michael Cheika moved heaven and earth to get the team he wanted in 2015 and he should do it again next year.

8 France ▼ (2 places)

Another step back for France this fall, and it is certainly godly to think that they will be preparing for the moment, in order to mount a serious challenge in Japan. Losing home against Fiji, after drawing a draw with Japan last fall, is the kind of result that might have cost Jacques Brunel his job if the World Cup was not not so tight. Among the few positive points, it seems at least that their team is at the center of the action: Louis Picamoles, Baptiste Serin and Camille Lopez. If Gaël Fickou did not start against South Africa, he must do it from now on. Still, the tactic of throwing the ball inside their own match against Fiji 22 demonstrates the lack of leadership from the opposing team, and the omission of Sekou Macalou continues to confusing.

9 Fiji ▲ (1 place)

This is the time of the month when the entire team has come together to sing the evangelistic anthem We Have Overcome after a first win against France. This victory was another stark reminder of what Pacific Island countries are able to prepare over time. Ben Ryan, who orchestrated the Fiji Olympic gold medal in 2016, noted after the victory that the team would not meet again in more than six months, demonstrating the obstacles it still had to overcome. But they will have more time together before the World Cup and, as a result, Wales, and especially Australia, will look over their shoulder in Pool D.

10 Argentina ▼ (1 place)

They never seem to be doing well in the fall and, although they are competitive, the defeats of Ireland, France and Scotland are not one thing to tell and get caught after losing a 31-7 lead against Australia. There have been improvements under Mario Ledesma, of course, and they have a habit of recovering in the World Cup, but although they can finish their year on a summit against the Barbarians at Twickenham on Saturday, they remain outsiders behind England and France to get out. of their world cup pool.

11 Japan ◀ ▶ (no removal)

If only everyone was playing like in Japan. To see them give England a fright, then a few hours later, watching Ireland's victory over the All Blacks, was almost like watching two different sports and you can only marvel at Japan's skill level when you move the ball at a steady pace. Likewise, you can only sit back and applaud their captain Michael Leitch and his inspiring qualities. In terms of results, however, the fall was not great: losing to a World XV, being beaten by a New Zealander on the second rope, running out of steam against England and beating Russia on the weekend. last end. However, they have shown enough to believe that they can come out of their World Cup pool – and they will certainly not die.

12 United States ▲ (2 places)

They may have been denied a 10th consecutive and undefeated victory in 2018 by Ireland, but the United States continues to play under Gary Gold, as evidenced by their spectacular victory over Samoa in San Sebastián. This will cause discomfort in England, France and Argentina in Japan.

13 Italy ◀ ▶ (no moving)

Blitzed by New Zealand and Ireland and beaten comfortably by an Australian team this fall, they at least defeated Georgia in a game where the defeat would have been unthinkable for the team Conor O'Shea. Hard to see anything but five defeats in the Six Nations.

14 Georgia ▲ (1 place)

After a loss to Italy with victories over Tonga and Samoa, the situation is mixed. They are back with Australia, Wales and Fiji next year. It is therefore difficult to finish third in their group, even if none of the three players will want to play with them.

15 Tonga ▼ (3 places)

Their 50-point loss to Wales was a case study of the current challenges faced by category two countries. They were tied after 45 minutes but conceded half a century unanswered thereafter, in their third game only against a third-place team in three years.

The rest

Canada won last place in next year's World Cup with victories over Kenya, Germany and Hong Kong in the repechage, thus taking its place in Pool B alongside New Zealand, South Africa, Italy and Namibia. Elsewhere, these are troubled times for samoa, who suffered the defeats of the USA and Georgia before defeating Spain. UruguayThe most striking result is a 27-20 victory over Romania, while Russia beats Namibia completely.