Northern Edition
Select Edition
Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
New Zealand New Zealand
France France

Rugby world order jolted by July Tests

A dejected Aaron Smith of the All Blacks looks on following the International Test match between the New Zealand All Blacks and Ireland at Sky Stadium on July 16, 2022 in Wellington, New Zealand. (Photo by Joe Allison/Getty Images)

The winds of change have swept through international rugby in the past few weeks, with historic firsts and a potential changing of the guard at the top of the world game as northern hemisphere teams excelled down south.

ADVERTISEMENT

Ireland’s first series victory in New Zealand has sent them rocketing to the top of the global rankings while their outclassed hosts dropped to fourth, their lowest ever ranking.

England claimed a 2-1 series victory in Australia and Wales gave world champions South Africa a mighty scare by claiming a first away win against the Springboks before ultimately losing the series.

Video Spacer

Ardie Savea and Dane Coles say something has to change after gut wrenching loss to Ireland | All Blacks press conference

Video Player is loading.
Current Time 0:00
Duration 2:36
Loaded: 0%
Stream Type LIVE
Remaining Time 2:36
 
1x
    • Chapters
    • descriptions off, selected
    • captions off, selected
    • en (Main), selected
    Video Spacer

    Ardie Savea and Dane Coles say something has to change after gut wrenching loss to Ireland | All Blacks press conference

    With little more than 14 months till the Rugby World Cup in France, this month’s internationals suggest the tournament will be wide open.

    New Zealand in particular will need to rediscover their mojo.

    They have lost four of their past five Tests, piling pressure on coach Ian Foster, who refused to discuss his future after the latest defeat.

    “For some reason we’re just not as calm,” Foster told reporters.

    “In the defence area we’re getting a bit fidgety. New Zealanders have got to realise that this was a very good Irish team; they deserve their time in the sun.”

    Irish eyes may be smiling, but Ireland have a history of peaking between World Cups and now face the significant challenge of carrying recent momentum into next year.

    ADVERTISEMENT

    “I have talked about the leadership group, how they’ve grown and developed, and we’ve coached this team together,” coach Andy Farrell said.

    Related

    “It’s the most proud I’ve been as part of a group.”

    South Africa’s superiority finally showed in their 30-14 third Test win over Wales in Cape Town to clinch that series, but there is no doubt they were rocked by the tourists.

    Wales might have won the first test as well had they shown more composure in Pretoria.

    “We’re very pleased; the positives outweigh the negatives,” Wales coach Wayne Pivac said of their tour.

    ADVERTISEMENT

    “It was a big step in the right direction.”

    Following their series win in Australia, England coach Eddie Jones believes his side are in a “great position” ahead of their World Cup campaign.

    “It is a really positive step, we always felt the team was going in the right direction. Sometimes results don’t reflect that,” Jones told Sky Sports.

    “It is like training a racehorse. We don’t want to be at our best until the World Cup finals; we need to keep building the base, the depth, the competition and our style of play. We are in a good position.”

    Argentina’s dramatic 34-31 victory over Scotland in Santiago secured their series 2-1.

    ADVERTISEMENT
    Play Video

    South Africa vs Black Ferns XV | Women's International | Full Match Replay

    Play Video

    Namibia vs United Arab Emirates | Asia/Africa Rugby World Cup Play-off | Full Match Replay

    Play Video

    Lions Share | Episode 5

    Play Video

    Classic Wallabies vs British & Irish Legends | First Match | Full Match Replay

    Play Video

    Did the Lions loosies get away with murder? And revisiting the Springboks lift | Whistle Watch

    Play Video

    The First Test, Visiting The Great Barrier Reef & Poetry with Pierre | Ep 6: The Ultimate Test

    Play Video

    KOKO Show | July 22nd | Full Throttle with Brisbane Test Review and Melbourne Preview

    Play Video

    New Zealand v South Africa | World Rugby U20 Championship | Extended Highlights

    Trending on RugbyPass

    Comments

    2 Comments
    M
    Mo 1106 days ago

    #FireFoster

    N
    NV 1107 days ago

    Fozzie MUST go!

    Join free and tell us what you really think!

    Sign up for free
    ADVERTISEMENT

    Latest Long Reads

    Comments on RugbyPass

    LONG READ
    LONG READ Half-back depth is the flaw in 'Razor's' 4-4-4 Rugby World Cup plan Half-back depth is the flaw in 'Razor's' 4-4-4 Rugby World Cup plan