The Rugby League International Federation today released the game’s official World Rankings following a highly successful 2008 Rugby League World Cup.
The rankings are based on a two year cycle of results and take into consideration a number of factors including regular competition within international tournaments.
Australia maintains its top spot courtesy of having defeated recently-crowned World Champions New Zealand three times in their past four encounters.
The RLWC 08 winners are in second spot with England at third despite their poor showing in the tournament, after whitewashing the Kiwis in the 2007 Gillette Test Series.
Fiji has edged out France and Papua New Guinea to take fourth spot on the strength of reaching the semi final of the World Cup while Ireland and Scotland have both secured a top ten spot.
Rugby League International Federation Chairman Colin Love AM said the rankings would add further spice to this year’s Four Nations between Australia, New Zealand, England and France, which is set for the Northern Hemisphere this autumn.
“There are going to be some terrific match-ups in the Four Nations and the battle for the world’s number one ranking is sure to be a highlight,” Love said today.
“There’s no doubt that New Zealand will want to secure the top world ranking to go along with their deserved status of 2008 World Cup Champions.
“The Kangaroos meanwhile would still be hurting from their World Cup final loss and will be hoping to reassert their dominance under new coach Tim Sheens.
“It all points towards an exciting time ahead for international Rugby League.”
Wales go into this autumn's Rugby League European Cup in twelfth position, one place behind Lebanon which will also be involved in that tournament.
Rugby League European Federation Chairman and International Federation Deputy Chairman Richard Lewis said: “Last year’s World Cup was a huge success for the growth of international Rugby League and it is fantastic to see such a diverse number of nations now making up the rankings.
“Great progress is being made at all levels internationally and that good work is set to continue in 2009 with a number of exciting international tournaments planned.”
RLIF Official World Rankings:
2008 WORLD CUP TEAMS:
1. Australia
2. New Zealand
3. England
4. Fiji
5. France
6. PNG
7. Ireland
8. Tonga
9. Scotland
10. Samoa
PARTICIPATION IN 2008 WORLD CUP QUALIFICATION:
11. Lebanon
12. Wales
13. Russia
14. Cook Islands
15. USA
16. Serbia
17. Japan
ALL TEAMS IN REGULAR INTERNATIONAL COMPETITIONS:
18. Italy
19. Germany
20. Czech Republic
21. Latvia
22. Estonia
BASED ON RESULTS AGAINST FRIENDLY REPRESENTATIVE TEAMS
23. South Africa
24. Jamaica
25. Morocco
26. Greece
27. Malta
28. Ukraine
29. Niue
30. Tokelau
UNRANKED WITH ‘OFFICIAL
OBSERVER STATUS’
The following countries are unranked but recognised with ‘official observer status’ due to the presence of development personnel establishing the roots of the game within their borders:
Catalonia
Norway
Sweden
Portugal
United Arab Emirates
Solomon Is.
Panama
Cuba
Hawaii
Hungary
Belgium
Saudi Arabia
Pakistan
Denmark
TOTAL = 14
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