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Wales Online
Wales Online
Sport
Matthew Southcombe

World rugby rankings explained: New Zealand thrash Australia but Wales could still be No.1 today

New Zealand have bounced back after a week full of criticism, thumping Australia 36-0 to retain the Bledisloe Cup.

However, it does not cement their place at the top of the rugby world rankings and Wales can still go to the top of the world if they beat England today.

It's been a turbulent week for the All Blacks after their 47-26 drubbing at the hands of the Wallabies last week.

But they've turned it all around thanks to tries from Richie Mo'unga, Aaron Smith, Sonny Bill Williams, Sevu Reece and George Bridge.

It would be fair to assume that if the current world No.1 wins, then they stay top of the rankings regardless of what happens elsewhere. But that is not the case.

Should Wales beat England by any margin at the Principality Stadium today, they will become the No.1 team in the world.

But Eddie Jones' men can also top the rankings today, if they beat Wales by a 16-point margin.

That sort of victory would take England back to the top of the world for the first time in 15 years.

Ireland can no longer go top of the rankings today as they needed a draw in Auckland or an Australia win, as well as a draw in Cardiff this afternoon.

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