The All Blacks have slipped to third in the latest World Rugby rankings following their humiliating – and record-setting – defeat to Argentina in the Tri-Nations.
WATCH HIGHLIGHTS | All Blacks slip to record defeat to Argentina
It was the All Blacks’ first ever loss to the Pumas in what was their 30th meeting.
Even more galling for the All Blacks and their supporters, Argentina hadn’t played a Test in 402 days since last year’s Rugby World Cup.
The All Blacks, meanwhile, had played Australia four times over the last month and a half.
The loss saw the All Blacks lose two full ranking points to swap places with England who were comfortable 40-0 winners over Georgia in the inaugural Autumn Nations Cup.
Despite not having played a Test since winning the 2019 Rugby World Cup, the Springboks now enjoy a whopping 5.78 point lead atop the standings.
Argentina moved from 10th to eighth in the rankings, which saw Wales and Japan drop to ninth and 10th, respectively.
In other Autumn Nations Cup results this weekend, Ireland beat Wales 32-9, and Scotland beat Italy 28-17.
The France v Fiji clash was called off due to Covid-19 positive results in the Fijian camp.
The All Blacks will get the opportunity to gain a measure of revenge against Argentina on November 28, after the Wallabies and Pumas do battle next weekend.
Top 10 in the latest World Rugby ranking:
1. South Africa – 94.20
2. England – 88.42
3. New Zealand – 88.17
4. France – 84.59
5. Ireland – 84.57
6. Australia – 83.86
7. Scotland – 82.28
8. Argentina – 80.31
9. Wales – 79.75
10. Japan – 79.29
