Canada have overtaken France and moved up to third place in the World Rugby Women’s Rankings for the first time in 17 months.
Saturday’s 33–14 win over Australia has increased their rating by 1.25 points to 87.52 points with Les Bleues in fourth on 87.27.
It has also guaranteed them the top-three finish they need in the World Rugby Pacific Four Series 2024 to qualify for WXV 1, which they’ll host in September and October.
New Zealand beat USA 57-5 in their first game of the year but no points were added to their rating due to the 17.99-point differential between the sides.
The Black Ferns remain in second place on 90.56 points – 6.34 behind England – and USA stay in 10th, their lowest-ever position. The Women’s Eagles have a 3.19-point buffer between themselves and Japan.
South Africa qualified for Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 and WXV 2 later this year after successfully defending the Rugby Africa Women’s Cup with a 46-17 win over host nation Madagascar.
However, the Springbok Women’s third regional title did not come with any rankings reward due to the large points differential between them and the Lady Makis.
The result of the other game did, however, lead to some movement with Cameroon’s 38-17 defeat to Kenya costing them two places.
Cameroon are now ranked 33rd while Kenya stay unchanged in 23rd but with an improved rating of 48.10 points.
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