Japan has moved up to sixth in the World Rugby rankings following Australia’s 40-16 quarter-final defeat by England on Saturday.
England’s 24-point demolition of the Wallabies had them climb to second in the rankings, above Wales who are now third. However, Wales still have to play their World Cup quarter-final against France on Sunday.
Meanwhile, the Wallabies’ loss is enough to earn them a one-place demotion from sixth to seventh position. And as a result, Japan rise up to sixth by default, just one position below their quarter-final opponents, South Africa.
The All Blacks’ trashing of Ireland in the second quarter-final on Saturday had no impact on either sides’ ranking, with New Zealand still sitting pretty at the top, while the Irish remain fourth.
World Rugby rankings:
1. New Zealand 90.98
2. England 89.74
3. Wales 88.87
4. Ireland 85.93
5. South Africa 85.75
6. Japan 82.08
7. Australia 81.90
8. France 81.38
9. Scotland 79.23
10. Argentina 78.31
Full rankings
How the rankings work
Photo: Kaz Photography/Getty Images
