These victories, in addition to shaking up the certainties of the leading nations of rugby, the New Zealand All Blacks, three-time world champions, and the South African Springboks, crowned in 2019, had the effect of reshuffling the cards of the established world ranking by World Rugby.
Thus, on Monday, France, victorious over Japan (20-15) on Saturday in Tokyo, and host of the next World Cup (September 8 – October 28, 2023), took the lead in this ranking, a first since its establishment in 2003.
It puts South Africa back in third position, since Ireland, thanks to its historic victory in Dunedin against New Zealand, is now second, while the All Blacks have demoted to fourth place, their worst ranking. since 2003.
Historical victories
This is to say if this second series of test matches has shaken certainties and raised questions within each of the nations which will compete in the 2023 World Cup, just over a year from its kickoff.
The first day, July 2, had yet respected the world hierarchy with the full card achieved by the nations of the South, at home. Before, in an unprecedented way, the nations of the North rebel jointly the following Saturday by taking all, each in turn, their revenge on their adversaries, winning for some of the historic victories.
Thus, Ireland beat (23-12) the All Blacks for the first time on their soil and Wales also achieved a first, winning at the last moment (13-12) over the Springboks at home. them. England for its part took the advantage over Australia (25-17) and finally, Scotland, on the run, did the same by largely dominating Argentina (29-6) on their land.
