ABs still on top

NEW ZEALAND remains at the top of the International Rugby Board’s world rankings following the Rugby World Cup.

The All Blacks held on to the No 1 spot they held prior to the tournament following their tense 9-8 victory over the France in the final , with two other teams – bronze final winners Australia (second) and England (fifth) – the only other teams who ended the event in the same position as they had begun it.

Les Bleus is third and beaten quarter-finalists South Africa fourth.

Wales, which finished fourth at the tournament, are eighth, surprising given it performed better than quarter-finalists Ireland (sixth) and Argentina (seventh).

Tonga, who sensationally upset France in the pool stages, is ninth and Scotland is 10th.

IRB WORLD RANKINGS (as it October 31)

1 New Zealand 91.43
2 Australia 87.42
3 France 84.70
4 South Africa 84.34
5 England 81.58
6 Ireland 80.65
7 Argentina 80.28
8 Wales 80.18
9 Tonga 76.63
10 Scotland 76.20
11 Samoa 75.81
12 Italy 73.99
13 Canada 72.92
14 Georgia 71.09
15 Japan 70.45
16 Fiji 68.78
17 USA 65.63
18 Romania 63.98
19 Namibia 61.24
20 Portugal 60.67
21 Russia 60.54