International Rugby
Australia slip to worst ranking in history
ESPN Staff
March 17, 2015
Scott Fardy consoles Wallabies captain Michael Hooper, South Africa v Australia, Rugby Championship, Newlands, Cape Town, September 27, 2014
The Wallabies endured a miserable 2014 © Getty Images
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Australia have slipped to their World Rugby ranking in history, dropping one spot to No.6 ahead of the Rugby World Cup.

Wales leap-frogged the Wallabies into the top five, climbing one spot from No.6 as the only change in the top 10 after defeating Ireland in the penultimate round of Six Nations action.

Australia were ranked No.2 as recently as September 2012, since when they have won only 16 of their 35 Tests, losing 17.

The Wallabies endured a dismal 2014, despite two encouraging victories at home to France in June, winning just two matches in the Rugby Championship - including losing to Argentina in Mendoza - and losing to France, Ireland and England on the end of year tour of Europe.

Wallabies coach Michael Cheika, wearing his Waratahs coaching hat on Tuesday, was loath to comment on the Test team but he said that Australia's chances of lifting the Webb Ellis Cup for a record third time should not be written off whatever their ranking.

"If you're in the tournament, of course you can win," Cheika said. "It's a moot point because we're in it. So can Japan and so can Uruguay or Fiji or anyone, and what ranking are they?"

New Zealand, with just two defeats in 48 Tests since last losing to Australia, in the 2011 Tri Nations decider, remain atop the rankings, a position they've held since 2009. South Africa and England are the only other two nations to have occupied top spot since 2003.

World Rugby Rankings: Top 10

1. New Zealand

2. South Africa

3. Ireland

4. England

5. Wales

6. Australia

7. France

8. Argentina

9. Samoa

10. Scotland

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd

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