World Cup decides rankings says Jones
November 23, 2001

Wallaby coach Eddie Jones has blasted those who have questioned whether his side remain the best in the world insisting the title was decided every four years at the World Cup.

Losses to England and France the past two weekends, coupled with England`s record of 13 wins from its past 14 Tests, raised questions on the Wallabies` number one ranking.

The unofficial Zurich world rankings had Australia on top of the list in November but the December rankings to be released in a fortnight are expected to see England challenge for the position.

"I`m not interested in that. We won the World Cup, let`s come back four years later and look at it again then," Jones told AAP.

An unexpected backer, New Zealand winger Jonah Lomu, had a similar response when asked the same question, saying the world champion was the top team in the world.

"The Wallabies are a great well-drilled unit, great thinkers of the game, when they get the right man at the helm -- like John Eales -- it`s just unbelievable to see the results they bring out," Lomu said in Edinburgh where the All Blacks are preparing for Saturday`s Test against Scotland.

"They are very good at winning. You look at the backing they have at home and they have really benefited from the Super 12. It`s bringing them up to scratch."

Lomu said one of the secrets to Australia`s success in recent years was the leadership of Eales who retired after lifting the Tri Nations trophy in September.

"A team will show you what sort of leadership you have. You have a happy team, and they have a leader that they are willing to die for you will find the majority of the time that you will get the result that you want and John Eales eptomised what a captain should be," he said.

Australia returns to the venue of its 1999 World Cup triumph on Sunday when it takes on Wales at Millennium Stadium in a bid to avoid its first hat trick of losses since 1995.

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