Rank leaders World Rugby Rankings
when system introduced england top team , maintained position following victory in 2003 rugby world cup. new zealand took lead 7 june 2004. after winning 2007 rugby world cup final, south africa became third team achieve first place. first 2 fixtures of 2008 tri nations resulted in top 2 teams switching places: blacks regained top spot after defeating south africa in tri-nations opener on 5 july 2008 in wellington; week later springboks returned favour in dunedin, scoring first win on blacks in new zealand since 1998, reclaiming top spot, blacks defeat both australia , south africa in august 2008 regain top spot considerable margin. south africa regained lead in july 2009 after beating new zealand in bloemfontein , kept lead until losing france in november of year, allowing blacks regain top spot.
new zealand have been consistently ranked #1 team since introduction of irb world rankings, having held #1 ranking more 85 percent of time during period. south africa , england make remainder.
best , worst
below list of best , worst ranking positions nations have appeared in rugby world cup:
rankings since 2003
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