World rankings

[wasps]

We all know that unless you're #1 the world rankings don't mean a lot.

However, when was the last time that 3 Northern hemisphere teams were ranked higher than both Australia and South Africa?


While we're obviously very concerned about our chances in the world cup, if the rankings are anything to go by at all, Australia and South Africa are really in the mire

[westwaleswasp]

Australia and the boks have beaten the ABs in recent times. Wales haven't since 53 or whatever, England haven't since 2012.

Wales, - grand slam champions - are celebrating as if they had won the WC. All you hear is grand slam every thirty seconds all over Welsh media, who are doing a good impression of English football media. It isn't just the fair weather fans
, you know the who think that Wales are the team England love to beat and that Wales/The lions are the same and only watch the 6n, it is beyond that, amongst genuine rugby people there is a genuine confidence they can do it. Prior to the England game they were talking down their chances.
I am not sure, they have the defence and pool of players, sure but they have only been doing *enough*, they don't look like scoring that many. I would be less confident against the Aussies and All Blacks if I were them. Beating Wales and Australia prior to the WC didn't do England much good last time, I don't think you can read too much into it. Like England were towards the end of their big run, there are some cracks in Wales' winning performances - they don't score many, they look vulnerable at the lineout sometimes, and their away performances against the weaker teams did not inspire confidence, whilst at home they are 6 inches taller. Maybe they will do it at the WC, they seem to be talking about the ABs in the final and they are very confident about Australia.


As for Ireland, they truly were so bad against Wales and England I do wonder. It seems to me they took their eye off the 6n ball, focussing on the Autumn, where they looked mighty. I have no idea what that will do to them, they historically have let themselves down, surely that cannot happen again. I will bet they fancy meeting Wales again, some revenge in the offing perhaps. I think they have scaled heights in inter-hemisphere terms that Wales have yet to reach, their SH victories being more numerous and sustained over a longer period, including away matches against full strength teams.

The boks actually had a reasonably good tour to the north- they should have beaten England for a start- and they seem to have come far from the shambles that saw them sink down the rankings. I would not put it past them to go all the way, but they too look vulnerable at times.

The Aussies have plumbed some depths, but they often do between cups, and play the ABs a hell of a lot, leading to some miserable win rates. They normally turn up at the cup, but who knows this time given their recent performances. They have been losing regularly at home to NH teams after the last cup, something unheard of, and their away tours did not suggest form was returning. I am still glad they are not in our group.

By and large numbers two to five are really, really close for my money, nothing much between them and lots of question marks.

[jamestaylor002]

Australia and the boks have beaten the ABs in recent times. Wales haven't since 53 or whatever, England haven't since 2012.

Wales, - grand slam champions - are celebrating as if they had won the WC. All you hear is grand slam every thirty seconds all over Welsh media, who are doing a good impression of English football media. It isn't just the fair weather fans
, you know the who think that Wales are the team England love to beat and that Wales/The lions are the same and only watch the 6n, it is beyond that, amongst genuine rugby people there is a genuine confidence they can do it. Prior to the England game they were talking down their chances.
I am not sure, they have the defence and pool of players, sure but they have only been doing *enough*, they don't look like scoring that many. I would be less confident against the Aussies and All Blacks if I were them. Beating Wales and Australia prior to the WC didn't do England much good last time, I don't think you can read too much into it. Like England were towards the end of their big run, there are some cracks in Wales' winning performances - they don't score many, they look vulnerable at the lineout sometimes, and their away performances against the weaker teams did not inspire confidence, whilst at home they are 6 inches taller. Maybe they will do it at the WC, they seem to be talking about the ABs in the final and they are very confident about Australia.


As for Ireland, they truly were so bad against Wales and England I do wonder. It seems to me they took their eye off the 6n ball, focussing on the Autumn, where they looked mighty. I have no idea what that will do to them, they historically have let themselves down, surely that cannot happen again. I will bet they fancy meeting Wales again, some revenge in the offing perhaps. I think they have scaled heights in inter-hemisphere terms that Wales have yet to reach, their SH victories being more numerous and sustained over a longer period, including away matches against full strength teams.

The boks actually had a reasonably good tour to the north- they should have beaten England for a start- and they seem to have come far from the shambles that saw them sink down the rankings. I would not put it past them to go all the way, but they too look vulnerable at times.

The Aussies have plumbed some depths, but they often do between cups, and play the ABs a hell of a lot, leading to some miserable win rates. They normally turn up at the cup, but who knows this time given their recent performances. They have been losing regularly at home to NH teams after the last cup, something unheard of, and their away tours did not suggest form was returning. I am still glad they are not in our group.

By and large numbers two to five are really, really close for my money, nothing much between them and lots of question marks.

I agree with you about Wales. Often capitalised on opponent's mistakes rather than creating their own chances (although had England won the GS that way, I'd hardly have complained). Had England not imploded as they did, I think they would've won their game versus Wales.