How Wales could become the highest ranked test nation this weekend

How Wales could become the highest ranked test nation this weekend

New Zealand could lose their ranking as the best rugby team on the planet this weekend with Wales breathing down the All Blacks' neck following their Six Nations Grand Slam earlier this year.

A win for Australia in the first Bledisloe Cup clash of the year, in Perth, would elevate Warren Gatland's Welsh side to the top of the rankings - usurping the All Blacks for the first time in 10 years.

South Africa were the last side, other than New Zealand, to last hold the one ranking with the Springboks topping the rankings after a successful tour in New Zealand, a Tri Nations triumph and a Series win over the British and Irish Lions.

The New Zealanders have gone on to hold onto the #1 ranking for a decade of that has included a European Grand Slam and two World Cup titles.

Wales have won 14 straight tests and are reigning Six Nations champions, after an undefeated campaign earlier this year. A win of any margin for the Wallabies will see Wales become the highest ranked side, for 24 hours at least, as a loss to England on Sunday will see them move back into 2nd place.


History would suggest Australia could pull an unlikely upset on Saturday as the Wallabies have snared at least one test win over the All Blacks every Rugby World Cup year since 1999.

The bookmakers only have Australia at 4/1 to beat Steve Hansen's men on Saturday. 


If Wales lose their number one tag with defeat at Twickenham they will likely slip to third in the world behind Ireland, who host Six Nations rivals Italy at the Aviva Stadium.

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