Historical IRB world rankings.

It seems there are a number of you that like the rankings system, so I thought you would liketo know what your team's average ranking has been since the inception.

So what i did, not to create too much work was use the first weeks' rating from the IRB and average them out over the period.

Ranking no 1. New Zealand ( What a surprise, would never have thought that)
Average ranking points: 92.01
Lowest ranking points: 89.59
Highest ranking points: 94.59

Ranking no 2. South Africa
Average ranking points: 86.97
Lowest ranking points: 81.23
Highest ranking points: 90.81

Ranking no 3. Australia
Average ranking points 85.96
Lowest ranking points 83.93
Highest ranking points 88.58

Ranking no 4. England
Average ranking points: 84.01
Lowest ranking points: 78.61
Highest ranking points: 93.99

Ranking no 5. France
Average ranking points: 82.78
Lowest ranking points: 79.49
Highest ranking points: 85.87

Ranking no 6. Ireland
Average ranking points: 81.40
Lowest ranking points: 78.45
Highest ranking points: 84.67

Ranking no 7. Argentina
Average ranking points: 79.69
Lowest ranking points: 74.26
Highest ranking points: 87.42

Ranking 8. Wales
Average ranking points: 78.17
Lowest ranking points: 74.17
highest ranking points: 82.54

Ranking 9. Scotland
Average ranking points: 76.57
Lowest ranking points: 73.52
Highest ranking points: 81.20


There you have it folks.

so what you can do is check your current ranking and compare it to your average ranking and you will know where your team stands relative to the standard set in the past.

Scary fact - only England (at the end of RWC 03) have attained a higher (maximum) number of points than the ABs average points since the inception of the rankings.

Well done England on their highest ranking points score. Very impressive.

The rankings were introduced just at England's peak weren't they?

Starting with the 2000 6 nations they lost to Scotland (2000), South Africa (2000), Ireland (2001), France (2002) and France (2003).


Another interesting point is that England's lowest ranking points is more than the average for Wales, Ireland, Argentina and Scotland

I think planet rugby actually put out a couple of articles tracking world rankings if it was extended back in time. Can't find the link though.

Good effort Biltog. No real suprises here except that Wales being so low after a couple of GS's in the naughties.

eirebilly wrote:Good effort Biltog. No real suprises here except that Wales being so low after a couple of GS's in the naughties.

Yes - unfortunately 2 GS's and a pile of pooh the rest of the time. Over the last 10 years, 8th feels about right.

Another interesting stat would be how long the relevant teams were number 1 IRB.[other than All Blacks who seem to be always number one]

Alan, because of how much importance you have for the world rankings I did this especially for you.

Thank you very much Biltong !!!

I am sure that if the pacific island nations and Argentina were given more home games and more games in general they would sit much higher than their current ranking.

maestegmafia wrote:I am sure that if the pacific island nations and Argentina were given more home games and more games in general they would sit much higher than their current ranking.

I don't agree.

I do think they should be given more games but I don't think this would affect the rankings much at all. Argentina should improve (and have been 3rd before) but I can't see Fiji, Tonga of Samoa getting in the top 6 regardless of being given more games (home or otherwise).

IF all these teams could play 6Ns sides at FULL STRENGTH[RWCS are usually the only time they are].
You could bet on them being regularly top10