Following their impressive 30-22 victory at Twickenham, Fiji has surged past England in the global rankings.
The Pacific Islanders ascent to seventh place has coincided with England’s descent to eighth, establishing the Pacific Islanders as the foremost team in their Rugby World Cup pool.
Conversely, as preparations for the World Cup intensify, Wales finds itself positioned as low as tenth in the world rankings. This shift comes on the heels of Australia’s resounding 41-17 defeat in Paris, resulting in their relegation to ninth place.
Maintaining their stronghold, Ireland maintains their top spot in the rankings, edging out Samoa in a closely contested match.
Meanwhile, South Africa’s dominant 35-7 victory over New Zealand at Twickenham on Friday night propels them to second place, causing the All Blacks to slip to fourth.
The upcoming World Cup hosts, France, have also experienced an elevation in their ranking, landing in third place following their comfortable triumph over the Wallabies.
Rugby world rankings – August 28, 2023:
| # | Team | Points | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ireland | 91.82 | ||
| 2 | (↑3) | South Africa | 91.08 | (+1.71) |
| 3 | (↑4) | France | 89.22 | |
| 4 | (↓2) | New Zealand | 89.06 | (-1.71) |
| 5 | Scotland | 84.01 | ||
| 6 | (↑7) | Argentina | 80.86 | |
| 7 | (↑9) | Fiji | 80.28 | (+1.58) |
| 8 | (↓6) | England | 79.95 | (-1.58) |
| 9 | (↓8) | Australia | 79.87 | |
| 10 | Wales | 78.26 |
Day jobs of the 2023 Rugby World Cup referee’s:
#1. Ben O’Keeffe
Age: 34
Nationality: New Zealand
Occupation: Eye Doctor
One of New Zealand’s six full-time referees, O’Keeffe is also a qualified doctor specialising in ophthalmology, which deals with eye health and disease.
Ben O’Keeffe facts:
O’Keeffe became an amateur referee for the New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) in 2013 having started officiating in 2008 at the age of 19
He grew up in Blenheim, New Zealand and attended Marlborough Boys’ College where he was head boy in 2006.
O’Keeffe’s brother, Michael O’Keeffe, represented New Zealand at the 2012 London Olympics in football
Ben O’Keeffe toughest player to referee: Ma’a Nonu
O’Keeffe said: “I think like Ma’a Nonu, yeah he was pretty tough. I’ve noticed over the last few years that players are just a lot bigger, a lot faster and a lot stronger.
“I trained with the Highlanders pre-season one year and you get a real appreciation of how big, fit and hard they hit. That just remind me why I just I love refereeing – so I don’t have to take those big hits.”