Wallabies tumble further in world rankings after Bledisloe heart-breaker

Australia’s last-gasp defeat to New Zealand in Melbourne last week has dropped them to a new low of ninth in the World Rugby Rankings.

The Wallabies looked to have won the Bledisloe Cup encounter thanks to three tries in the final quarter through Andrew Kellaway (two) and Pete Samu, plus a long-range penalty from Nic White.

Victory would not only have ignited Australia’s hopes of Bledisloe Cup and Rugby Championship success but would also have lifted Dave Rennie’s side to sixth in the rankings by virtue of Argentina’s defeat to South Africa two days later.

It was not to be, however, as the All Blacks made the most of an attacking scrum in the final minute to score in the corner, through Jordie Barrett, and claim a memorable 39-37 win.

New Zealand did not improve on their position in the rankings with a victory and remained fourth, but defeat dropped the Wallabies below Wales and into ninth for the first time.

Wales, despite not playing, were the big winners this weekend, climbing two places to seventh from ninth.

That is because Argentina were beaten at home by South Africa on Saturday, in the other round five match in The Rugby Championship.

Jaden Hendrikse, Malcolm Marx (twice) and Damian de Allende each crossed the whitewash, while the Springboks were also awarded a penalty try.

Those scores helped give the Webb Ellis Cup holders a 36-20 win in Buenos Aires, although despite the margin of victory the Springboks remain third in the rankings.

Defeat dropped the hosts two places to eighth, below both Wales and Scotland, who move up to sixth.