With victories vital for countries to get the best seeding for the 2015 World Cup pool allocation draw on December 3 the end of year Tests have become fiercely contested affairs.
The IRB world rankings will be used to rank the 12 directly qualified teams for England 2015 into three bands for that draw. Sides ranked one to four in band one will avoid each other until the knockout stages.
Countries ranked five to eight will be in band two and the remaining four in band three.
If the pool allocation draw was to happen now, the bands would be as follows:
Band 1: New Zealand, South Africa, Australia, France
Band 2: England, Ireland, Wales, Samoa
Band 3: Argentina, Italy, Tonga, Scotland
Band 4: Oceania 1, Europe 1, Asia 1, Americas 1
Band 5: Africa 1, Europe 2, Americas 2, Repechage winner
Only four automatically qualified teams are in action this weekend. Below is a table of exactly how this weekend's results could affect the automatically qualified teams' ratings points.
England v New Zealand, Twickenham
Current rating: England 81.07; New Zealand 92.91
If home team wins by more than 15 points: Eng 83.90; NZ 90.08
If home team wins by 15 points or less: Eng 82.95; NZ 91.03
If away team wins by 15 points or less: Eng 80.95; NZ 93.03
If away team wins by more than 15 points: Eng 80.90; NZ 93.08
If it's a tie: Eng 81.95; NZ 92.03
Wales v Australia, Cardiff
Current rating: Wales 78.95; Australia 86.31
If home team wins by more than 15 points: Wal 81.11; Aus 84.16
If home team wins by 15 points or less: Wal 80.39; Aus 84.87
If away team wins by 15 points or less: Wal 78.39; Aus 86.87
If away team wins by more than 15 points: Wal 78.11; Aus 87.16
If it's a tie: Wal 79.39; Aus 85.87
Top 20 in the latest IRB rankings:
1. New Zealand 92.91
2. South Africa 86.94
3. Australia 86.31
4. France 85.07
5. England 81.07
6. Ireland 80.22
7. Wales 78.95
8. Samoa 78.71
9. Argentina 78.71
10. Italy 76.24
11. Tonga 76.10
12. Scotland 75.83
13. Fiji 71.52
14. Canada 71.41
15. Japan 70.09
16. USA 68.32
17. Georgia 65.83
18. Spain 63.09
19. Romania 62.12
20. Russia 61.49
With thanks to the IRB
Comments
kpe12 says...
What happens when Wales drop out of top 8 and Argentina and Samoa are tied?
Posted 04:53 27th November 2012
three6three6 says...
No is the answer to your question Carpelone.
According to the information in this article. Australia will not overtake South Africa even if Australla wins by more than 15 points against Wales on Saturday. In that scenario Autralia will still be in third position with 86.87 points behind South Africa (who do not play this weekend) who will remain in second position on 86.94 points.
Posted 03:14 27th November 2012
DarkestHorse says...
Couldn't agree more new_i4a. It seems it is not so much the national team in Scotland that is declining so much as the sport itself. So much tradition is being flushed away by someone. And yes, their supporters are awful but this is not a new trend. Anyone remember RWC '99? Murrayfield was like a cathedral of rugby and not in a good way. I don't think I've ever seen so many empty seats in my life. Yet, the Scots have achieved some curious results. A mini streak and a win over Australia this Summer and a first team in the HEC semis last year. I hope it turns around for them.
Posted 23:59 26th November 2012
hayj05 says...
@Carpelone - Na the five bands are all randomly drawn so it doesn't matter if Australia overtakes South Afirca. Going into the final week there's only one 'band 2' place up for grabs, the rest are set in concrete.
*If Wales win they'll stay in band 2. If they lose, Argentina will take their place in band 2.
They draw the four 'band 1' teams, then the four 'band 2' teams, & then the same for the four 'band 3' teams & the two 'qualifying bands'.
Samoa have done extremely well & are guaranteed a band 2 place & if they end up being drawn with the band 3 team of Italy, Scotland, or Tonga they've got to fancy their chances of making it to the knock-out stages. Not to say that those 3 teams wouldn't fancy their chances either.
If they ended up with Tonga then it would almost guarentee that a Pacific Island side would make the OF's.
Only a week away, can't wait!
Posted 22:30 26th November 2012
Startledwombat says...
Must win for wales.
Posted 20:40 26th November 2012
Jp07 says...
Pathetic supporters? What exactly are you basing that on?
Posted 19:28 26th November 2012
Bambo says...
new_j4a - Yes, a sad day for Scotland. Yes, Richie Gray is real talent. Pathetic supporters? No. I don't know if the tens of thousands who attend games every year deserve 'pathetic'. 'Hardy', 'loyal' would suit those who brave Murrayfield in November knowing the likely outcome.
Why do you have this Tourettes like urge to offend as many people as you can in one posting? Anonymity helps, doesn't it? If you had to use you real name I'm sure you choose your words more carefully. Your family/adult carers/legal guardians/parole officer/therapist would demand it.
Posted 19:06 26th November 2012
carpelone says...
Australia need to win by more than 15 points to overcome South Africa, right?
Will there be a draw or is there an automatic pattern for the composition of the pool? Somebody on this site were suggesting that # 1 is goin to be coupled with # 5 and 9.
I think that this is wrong.
Posted 17:46 26th November 2012
new_j4a says...
Scotland continues to sink into oblivion....a sad day for rugby....pathetic supporters and a lack of quality talent.....Richie Gray wasted....could play in any of the top 4 teams.
Posted 16:54 26th November 2012