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NZ stretch IRB ranking lead

Cape Town - New Zealand have slightly increased their advantage at the top of the IRB world rankings after their record 51-20 victory over Australia in Round 2 of the Rugby Championship on Saturday.

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According to the IRB website, the All Blacks, who have not lost to Australia at Eden Park since 1986, posted their highest ever score against the Wallabies to retain the Bledisloe Cup and increase their cushion at the top to 4.22 points over South Africa.

That is still less than they began the Rugby Championship with, having lost nearly four tenths after their opening draw with the Wallabies in Sydney.

Australia’s defeat means their rating has slightly shrunk but they still occupy third, 1.51 points above the leading northern hemisphere nation, England.

South Africa remain second with an unchanged rating point total after surviving a massive scare against Argentina in Salta, a late penalty from Morné Steyn securing a 33-31 win and denying Los Pumas a first ever win over their visitors.

Argentina stay 12th in the rankings as the Rugby Championship takes a week’s break, resuming on September 6 when Australia host South Africa in Perth and Argentina travel to New Zealand for their clash in Napier.

Top 12 in the latest IRB standings:

1. New Zealand - 93.56
2. South Africa - 89.34
3. Australia - 87.19
4. England - 85.68
5. Ireland - 83.44
6. Wales - 80.70
7. France - 80.01
8. Scotland - 77.78
9. Samoa - 76.59
10. Japan - 75.39
11. Fiji - 74.56
12. Argentina - 73.98

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