2018 International Season - State of the Nations - Top 10

2018 Season Wins/Losses in the Top 10:

New Zealand 12 wins 2 losses
Ireland 11 wins 1 loss
Wales 10 wins 2 losses
England 6 wins 6 losses
South Africa 7 wins 7 losses
Australia 4 wins 9 losses
Scotland 7 wins 5 losses
Fiji 4 wins 2 losses
France 3 wins 11 losses
Argentina 2 wins 12 losses

World Rankings:



Congratulations to Fiji on their historic victory over France last night, it sees them break into the Top 10.  For some historical context, they beat Wales in 2007 so it's up there as their biggest victory in the professional era and not far off their victory over Australia in the 1950s.  As far as France are concerned, I think Brunel may go before the WC.

Ireland and Wales both having very strong showing throughout the season.  New Zealand by their own standards will be disappointed to have lost two tests.  The rest looking indifferent or poor but with plenty of time to get it right before Japan.

New Zealand have been experimenting tactically, but the gap from them to their closest rivals has rarely looked narrower. Expect them to address that in 2019, but other nations can improve as well.

Ireland are looking in great form, the question for them as ever will be whether they have the squad depth to survive the attrition of the RWC, and whether they can sustain this level of performance for another 12 months.

Wales finally delivered on their promise and completed a clean sweep of AIs. The win over South Africa was pretty convincing, too. The big question they have to solve is whether they can do it away from home.

England looked like the inexperienced combination they actually are, but nevertheless were within the length of Courtney Lawes's boot of completing a clean sweep over the SH big three. Still clearly a work in progress, but the defence and breakdown issues look to have been addressed, and the performances, considering who was out and the greenness of their replacements, were very encouraging. Still a lot of questions over selection and tactics, but they now look to have the squad depth they will need, so it's down to building understanding and evolving their tactics as they build. England have a tough 6N schedule, with Ireland and Wales away from home, so I wouldn't be surprised to see them lose both games. I don't think it matters particularly, as long as we continue to see an evolution in the team's style of play.

Scotland will be disappointed with their showing, I think. The talent is there, but the consistency is not. They will cause trouble for their opponents but I think they will struggle to get through to the later stages of the tournament.

South Africa are a team rebuilding. Good enough to beat the All Blacks, but will be unhappy that a tour where they were competitive throughout saw them lose games they might have won.

Australia and France both look to be in free fall. This, of course, is when they are at their most dangerous. Australia always seem to rally for the RWC, and France have at least one big game in them.

Don't wish to be too judgemental, but surely that was one of the poorest SH triumvirate to compete in the AIs for some considerable time. All to play for.

Barney McGrew did it wrote:Don't wish to be too judgemental, but surely that was one of the poorest SH triumvirate to compete in the AIs for some considerable time. All to play for.

Maybe they're all just the smartest basterdes in the class.  Maybe the ambush has been set beautifully and pants are going to be pulled from NH bums when they turn up in Japan.  

Just remember the last WC.  New Zealand were misfiring and questions were being asked all over the place.  And Australia's pool was supposedly between the two titans of England and Wales (that's where all the media fed anyway).  Australia killed off Ireland killers, Argentina, to get to the final and SA only lost by two points to the ABs for the other final spot.  Not a bloody NH side in the reckoning.
Each of those four sides disintegrated so badly in three years?  Or have they been simply taking a breather?
It'll be a dumb NH side that turns up expecting no lethal surprises from one or two of that SH bunch.

To tell the truth, I think NH sides indulge too much in heavy hitting warm up contests. Six Nations is warm up enough. True warm ups should then be against 'lesser sides' to get air in the lungs and no more.

Barney McGrew did it wrote:Don't wish to be too judgemental, but surely that was one of the poorest SH triumvirate to compete in the AIs for some considerable time. All to play for.

Well given they provided players in all NH sides, bar France (including Italy ( a distinct kiwi accent in blue in the after match speech there)?) and in the coaching boxes perhaps they could be given a break this round huh?

Check out the top three elite;
1. New Zealand
2. Ireland
3. Wales and ref’s

Check out the revised rankings would be more accurate:

1. New Zealand 92.54
2. Ireland 91.17
——————————-
3. Wales 87.24
4. England 86.22
5. South Africa 84.58
—————————
6. Australia 82.40
7. Scotland 81.84

Yes who'd have thought...Ireland and Wales 2 and 3...say whaaaaaat??

Barney McGrew did it wrote:Don't wish to be too judgemental, but surely that was one of the poorest SH triumvirate to compete in the AIs for some considerable time. All to play for.

Or, the 'home' nations have traditionally been poorer during the AI series so it's been much easier for the SH teams in previous years.


Probably a bit if both, in truth.

The Oracle wrote:


Probably a bit if both, in truth.

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