Kangaroos reclaim top spot in RL rankings

George Clarke | December 21, 2022

For the first time in three years, the Kangaroos are back on top of the International Rugby League’s world rankings following a third-straight World Cup final victory last month.

As a result of their inactivity since 2019, Mal Meninga’s side entered the competition in just fourth spot, but they reaffirmed their status with a convincing 30-10 win over Samoa in the final to reclaim first position.

“I feel that we thoroughly deserve to get our No.1 ranking back considering the increased challenges now with the rise of the Pacific nations,” Meninga said.

Samoa are the big winners, climbing to their highest-ever ranking of third after reaching their maiden final by seeing off Tonga and hosts England in the knockout stages.

New Zealand, who had previously been ranked first, have fallen to second while England slip to fourth after failing to reach a final on home soil when they were handed a favourable draw.

Tonga have tumbled from second to fifth, with Michael Cheika’s Lebanon big movers as they rose to eighth spot following their quarter-final finish.

The women’s rankings were unchanged with the Jillaroos’ dominant 54-4 win over New Zealand ensuring they hold onto top billing.

Brad Donald’s side are unbeaten in 13 straight Tests, stretching back to 2016.

The Kiwi Ferns are second, with England, PNG and France behind them.

MEN’S RUGBY LEAGUE WORLD RANKINGS:

1 – Australia

2 – New Zealand

3 – Samoa

4 – England

5 – Tonga

6 – PNG

7 – Fiji