New World Rugby rankings see stunning All Blacks topple France as Fiji close in on Wales

New Zealand’s stunning pre-World Cup form has seen them overtake France in the World Rugby rankings.

The All Blacks’ ruthless 38-7 demolition of struggling Australia in Melbourne means they jump to second in the rankings, pushing World Cup-favourites France into third. Australia are eighth, just one place ahead of Wales.

Ian Foster’s side secured the Rugby Championship title with the win, following earlier impressive victories over Argentina and South Africa.

Fiji, who face Wales and the Wallabies in the group stages at the tournament, are the biggest movers, rising from 13th to 10th after beating Samoa 33-19. It means the three sides realistically hoping to emerge from Pool C are now placed eighth, ninth and tenth in the standings. Georgia, who are in the same group, are 11th.

It highlights the skewed nature of the Rugby World Cup draw, with only two of the top five teams able to make the semi-finals in France. Top side Ireland, fourth-placed South Africa and fifth-placed Scotland are all in the same group, meaning one of them will definitely be consigned to an early exit. The top two teams will play the top two sides in New Zealand, France and Italy’s group in the quarter-finals.

England and Argentina are both in the same group on Wales’ side of the draw and will both expect to make the quarter-finals, where they will face the top two teams in Pool C.

The rankings could change considerably over the next three weeks with the summer warm-up matches gathering pace.

Wales host England on Saturday, Ireland play Italy and Scotland face France, while Argentina and South Africa and New Zealand and Australia do battle again.

The new World Rugby rankings table