Wales goes to top of world rankings
CARDIFF: Wales ended the All Blacks’ neardecade long reign as the world’s No 1 ranked test team with a 136 rebound win against Eddie Jones’ England in Cardiff yesterday, a result which also prevented England claiming the top spot.
The win came just six days after Wales was beaten 3319 by England at Twickenham.
It scored the only try to deservedly win the first half 100, and produced a typically strong defensive effort to hold on in the second.
Wales became only the fourth team to reach No 1 since the rankings began in 2003. New Zealand had held top spot since November 2009.
Wales coach Warren Gatland was pleased his players delivered the response he demanded after being humbled the previous weekend. He was even more impressed that his patchedup side held together.
Fullback Liam Williams was withdrawn with a tight hamstring just before kickoff, giving Leigh Halfpenny his first cap this year, and replacement flanker Aaron Shingler finished at lock and backup hooker Elliot Dee on the flank.
‘‘Noone panicked, everyone did their job. To see those players comfortable handling that was pretty good,’’ Gatland said.
Argentina slipped to a ninth successive defeat in a 2418 loss to an understrength South Africa in Pretoria yesterday.
The Springboks rested 18 players following their Rugby Championship success the previous weekend, which was achieved with a 4613 win over Argentina in Salta. — Reuters