World Rankings Permutations: Rugby Championship

The Rugby Championship returns this weekend with a pair of intriguing fixtures.

Here is how the rankings could be impacted by the weekend's fixtures.

• South Africa will not gain any rating points for victory due to the 11.05 rating points between themselves and Argentina before home weighting is factored in.
•  The Springboks are guaranteed to remain at the top of the rankings even if they are well beaten and New Zealand beat Australia by more than 15 points, although their lead could be cut to less than two points.
•  The All Blacks can only gain a maximum of 0.19 rating points in victory
• New Zealand cannot fall from their present position of second but they would only hold a fractional lead over Argentina and Australia, respectively, if Los Pumas beat South Africa by more than 15 points and the Wallabies beat the All Blacks by the same margin
•  Australia will move up to fourth if they win and could go as high as third if the margin is more than 15 points and Los Pumas fail to match that 
• Argentina will move up to third if they beat the Springboks by more than 15 points, equalling their best-ever position, which they last held in June 2008
• Los Pumas will climb to fourth if they win by a smaller margin and Australia fail to win
• Australia will be the lowest ranked of the four Rugby Championship sides if they lose by more than 15 points, irrespective of how Argentina fare

NEW ZEALAND (2) 89.10 v AUSTRALIA (6) 83.32

New Zealand win by 15 points or less – New Zealand 89.23, Australia 83.20

New Zealand win by more than 15 points – New Zealand 89.29, Australia 83.14

Draw – New Zealand 88.23, Australia 84.20

Australia win by 15 points or less – New Zealand 87.23, Australia 85.20

Australia win by more than 15 points – New Zealand 86.29, Australia 86.14

SOUTH AFRICA (1) 94.20 v ARGENTINA (7) 83.15

South Africa win by 15 points or less – South Africa 94.20, Argentina 83.15 (No change)

South Africa win by more than 15 points – South Africa 94.20, Argentina 83.15 (No change)

Draw – South Africa 93.20, Argentina 84.15

Argentina win by 15 points or less – South Africa 92.20, Argentina 85.15

Argentina win by more than 15 points – South Africa 91.20, Argentina 86.15

If Australia and Argentina are to win their respective fixtures by 15 points or more, the Southern Hemisphere sides will occupy all four of the top spots in the World Rankings: South Africa, New Zealand, Australia and Argentina. 

The World Rankings are now available on the Ultimate Rugby App, download the App here. 

VIA: WORLD RUGBY