Cape Town - New Zealand have extended their advantage over Australia at the top of the latest IRB World Rankings to 6.1 rating points following their 27-19 victory in the opening match of the Rugby Championship at ANZ Stadium in Sydney on Saturday.

According to the IRB website, tries from Israel Dagg and Cory Jane, together with 17 points from the boot of Dan Carter, have strengthened New Zealand’s position at the top, a position they have occupied since November 16, 2009 and for 80 percent of the time since the rankings were introduced in October 2003.

Australia’s loss on home soil means they have not only slipped further adrift of New Zealand, but also back into the clutches of South Africa, the difference between the two now just 1.11 points after the Springboks beat Argentina 27-6 in the weekend’s other Rugby Championship match.

South Africa’s gain in rating points was minimal, being the home side and ranked five places above the Pumas, at just over two-tenths. Had South Africa suffered a first ever Test defeat to Argentina then they could have equalled their lowest ranking of sixth.

Argentina remain eighth despite the loss on their Rugby Championship debut, albeit now little more than a point above Scotland, as they head home to face the Springboks in the return leg in Mendoza this weekend.

Top 10 in the latest IRB rankings:

1. New Zealand 92.29
2. Australia 86.19
3. South Africa 85.08
4. England 83.09
5. France 83.03
6. Wales 82.26
7. Ireland 79.85
8. Argentina 79.04
9. Scotland 77.97
10. Samoa 76.23