England played unconvincingly against Japan Photo: Pavel Golovkin/AP
The second round of the 2023 Rugby World Cup was a scoring revelation that led to several seismic changes in the power rankings this week.
Ireland, Fiji, Uruguay and Portugal moved up the rankings after impressive performances over the weekend, be it a win or a heavy defeat.< /p>
C On the other hand, countries like France, Australia and England pay for what can best be described as bland, confusing or, in the case of England, downright boring.
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20. Romania (–)
Two played, 150 points against, eight for. A little more needs to be said.
19. Namibia (-2)
Namibia looked ragged and disorganized against New Zealand, although admittedly they were never going to win the game.
18. Chile (–)
Chile held their ground after a strong first-half performance against Samoa. However, they lost in the second half and hope to ruffle English feathers.
17. Portugal (+2)
Weekend surprise? Perhaps, but anyone who saw Portugal play so energetically at the European Rugby Championship will not be surprised. Almost denied Wales a try bonus point and for a moment it looked like they might cause an upset.
Portugal won hearts and minds against Wales Photo: Christophe Simon/AFP 16. Georgia (-1)
Georgia, which did not play this weekend, were victims of strong performances elsewhere. A loss to Australia keeps them in 16th place, but a win over Fiji or Wales would be a huge boost.
15. Tonga (-1)
There were hopes that Tonga would defeat Ireland, but they were completely unfulfilled. The Pacific Islanders lost in all respects to one of the tournament favorites.
14. Japan (-1)
They may have given England a few problems, but the truth is that these Brave Blossoms are a long way off from the 2015 and 2019 vintages. They may have to beat Argentina to avoid bottom of Group D.
13. Uruguay (+3)
That the French masters and aristocrats were on the brink deserves recognition. Astute midfielders, an energetic center in Andres Vilasek; Uruguay's match with Italy on Wednesday will be exciting.
Uruguay gave France a scare. Photo: Stephanie Lecoq/Reuters 12. Argentina (–)
Like Georgia, Argentina fell victim without playing, with no chance of atonement for their opening weekend disaster. They face Samoa on Friday and the winner could join England in the quarter-finals. Of course, a loss for Los Pumas and this will be the curtain.
11. Samoa (–)
Samoa had to wait eight days to start their World Cup campaign and it showed in the first 40 minutes. They were a little clumsy against the energetic Chilean strike, but they managed to make it in the second half. Argentina won't want to play them to keep their tournament hopes alive, and neither will England.
10. Australia (-3)
The Wallabies are without two of their most dangerous players — Taniela Tupou and Will Skelton, who will also miss the match against Wales next Sunday — but in fairness Eddie Jones' side have comfortably outclassed their opponents. Australia, until Suliasi Vunivalu's latest attempt, never looked like stopping the Fijian march.
Australia learned a lesson from Fiji Credit : Chris Hyde/Getty Images 9. Wales (-1)
Unlike Australia, at least Wales won — and although they left late, they did so with a bonus point. True, it was against Portugal, but the fact remains that Warren Gatland's side have 10 points from two matches and victory over Australia next Sunday will all but guarantee them a place in the quarter-finals as Group C winners
8. Italy (+2)
With other teams falling apart around them, the Azzurri moved up two places without even lacing up their boots. However, lose to Uruguay on Wednesday and Italy will collapse.
7. England (-2)
Hard or something like that? It wasn't pretty from Steve Borthwick's side, but they managed to get over the line with a bonus point. However, given the level of opposition, as well as results elsewhere, they drop two places. All eyes now turn to Samoa at the end of the group stage.
6. Scotland (–)
Scotland, without playing, remains as it is. Of course, there is still a chance that they will get out of this pool, albeit a small one. Victory over Tonga next Sunday will get their campaign back on track ahead of Ireland's huge challenge in October.
5. Fiji (+4)
Mesmeric, simply hypnotic. A well-deserved victory, because the Flying Fijians are jostling and bargaining with Australia in almost all directions. Joshua Tuisova and Vaisea Nayakalevu have been producing the tournament's performance in midfield so far, with Levani Botia terrorizing the Wallabies on the break. Now there is a chance that they will become the winner of the pool, and no one can say that they do not deserve it.
4. France (-3)
Fabien Galthier made 12 changes to the side that beat New Zealand on the opening weekend, and for a brief spell against Uruguay he might have wished he had not made the same. France didn't look like world champions with a much-changed team that was still strong enough to put Uruguay to the sword (and didn't).
3. New Zealand (+1)
The All Blacks don't quite deserve rave praise for beating a wretched Namibian side, but they could only play what was in front of them — and did so with aplomb, scoring 11 tries in Toulouse. Tougher tests await New Zealand, but a professional game nonetheless.
The All Blacks are back to their ruthless ways best form in the match against Namibia. Photo: Christophe Ena/AP 2. South Africa (–)
Likewise, South Africa deserve no theatrics for managing the tournament's worst team, but the Springboks did what they could. had to, making 11 tries and holding the Romanians to zero. Despite weak opposition, South Africa proved they have peaked ahead of next weekend's Irish Test.
1. Ireland (+2)
Convenient, efficient and on a different level compared to Tongan products. Andy Farrell's side couldn't have prepared better — with a ruthless period for each team at half-time — for the challenge of world champion Springboks next Saturday in the pool stage.
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Rugby World Cup Power Rankings (Week Two)
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