World Rankings: Four teams could reach the summit after quarter-finals

Dylan Coetzee
Split with Siya Kolisi (RSA), Johnny Sexton (Ire), Antoine Dupont (Fra) and Sam Cane (NZ)

Split with Siya Kolisi (RSA), Johnny Sexton (Ire), Antoine Dupont (Fra) and Sam Cane (NZ)

The Rugby World Cup has reached the business end with only eight teams left to fight for glory on the game’s biggest stage.

The weekend is littered with outstanding match-ups that all influence the world rankings and with that in mind Planet Rugby takes a closer look at the permutations.

Quarter-final 1: Wales (7) 83.17 v Argentina (8) 80.55

Wales currently sit in seventh place but could rise to fifth with a win over Los Pumas even if England, who are in sixth spot, manage a win over Fiji. Regardless of the other results, fifth is the highest the side can go this weekend.

Argentina could also climb to fifth from eighth place if they beat Wales by more than 15 points. Whilst if they manage a win by less they will go above Wales in seventh. The South Americans will not drop lower than eight unless Fiji beats England and they lose.

Wales win by 15 points or less – Wales 84.64, Argentina 79.07
Wales win by more than 15 points – Wales 85.38, Argentina 78.33
Argentina win by 15 points or less – Wales 80.64, Argentina 83.07
Argentina win by more than 15 points – Wales 79.38, Argentina 84.33

Quarter-final 2: Ireland (1) 93.79 v New Zealand (4) 87.69

A victory for the global leaders, Ireland, keeps them at the summit of the standings whilst a loss could see their top spot go to whoever wins the France v Springboks game. That is if the All Blacks do not win by more than 15 points. Should the three-time champions win by 15 or more they would assume the number one spot provided France beat South Africa.

In the event of a narrow defeat, the All Blacks could still leapfrog the Springboks if the defending champions lose to Les Bleus by more than 15 points.

Ireland win by 15 points or less – Ireland 94.57, New Zealand 86.91
Ireland win by more than 15 points – Ireland 94.96, New Zealand 86.52
New Zealand win by 15 points or less – Ireland 90.57, New Zealand 90.91
New Zealand win by more than 15 points – Ireland 88.96, New Zealand 92.52

Quarter-final 3: England (6) 83.24 v Fiji (10) 77.16

The maximum the Red Rose can gain from this fixture is 1.18 ratings points which will only improve on their ranking if Wales lost their game taking England into fifth above Scotland in that instance. However, a loss could be costly as England could fall to their lowest-ever position of ninth depending on the margin of loss and the outcome of quarter-final one.

There is less to lose for Fiji who would remain in 10th in the event of defeat whilst a win could see the Pacific side climb two spots in eighth place.

England win by 15 points or less – England 84.03, Fiji 76.38
England win by more than 15 points – England 84.42, Fiji 75.99
Fiji win by 15 points or less – England 80.03, Fiji 80.38
Fiji win by more than 15 points – England 78.42, Fiji 81.99

Quarter-final 4: France (2) 90.59 v South Africa (3) 89.70

Either of these teams could go on top with a win in the event Ireland lose to the All Blacks. Only the Springboks can still top the rankings if New Zealand wins by 15 points or more.

A loss for the hosts could see them drop to fourth depending on the result of quarter-final two. Whilst the Springboks will not drop lower than fourth in the event of a loss.

France win by 15 points or less – France 91.81, South Africa 88.48
France win by more than 15 points – France 92.42, South Africa 87.87
South Africa win by 15 points or less – France 87.81, South Africa 92.48
South Africa win by more than 15 points – France 86.42, South Africa 93.87

READ MORE: How Rugby World Cup hosts have fared in the tournament

Argentina