PNC: World Rugby Rankings permutations
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PNC: World Rugby Rankings permutations
The second round of the 2019 World Rugby Pacific Nations Cup could have a significant impact on the World Rugby Rankings as teams continue to prepare for Rugby World Cup 2019.
HEADLINES
- Tonga could achieve their highest position in six years with a win against Japan
- Samoa will jump above USA into 15 if they beat the Eagles
USA (15) v SAMOA (16)
- USA achieved their first win over Samoa in six attempts when they last met in 2018
- In five of the six previous meetings, the sides have been separated by one score
- USA will climb two places if they win and Tonga also lose to Japan
- The Eagles will still climb one place in victory even if Tonga beat Japan
- If Samoa win, the two sides will swap places
FIJI (9) v CANADA (21)
- Fiji enjoyed their biggest win over Canada the last time the sides met
- Canada’s last win in the fixture came in 2013, when they won 20-18
- Fiji cannot improve their rating or position in the rankings with victory
- However, they will fall out of the top 10 if they lose and Japan beat Tonga. Fiji could fall three places if they lose by more than 15 points and Japan also win
- A victorious Canada cannot catch Russia above them, although the gap will be down to 0.45 of a point if they win by more than 15 points
TONGA (14) v JAPAN (11)
- Tonga have won on their last two visits to Japan (27-17 in May 2013 and 24-20 in June 2012)
- Japan cannot improve their position with victory unless Fiji also lose to Canada
- Japan would drop two to 13th if beaten by more than 15 points
- Tonga will climb to 11th – their highest position since September 2015 – if they win by more than 15 points
- Tenth place is possible if Fiji lose by a similar margin, a position the ‘Ikale Tahi haven’t held since June 2013
- A smaller margin of victory would still be enough to lift Tonga above Italy
