ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Wales responds to Pichot’s 'ridiculous' ranking comments

BY Grant Constable  ·  Thursday Aug 29, 2019

For the past ten years, the top of rugby’s world rankings has barely been mentioned by anyone due to the All Blacks dominance of the position. But Wales’ ascent to the top two weeks ago has now made it one of the most keenly discussed topics.

ADVERTISEMENT

Suddenly there have been swathes of criticism of the system, a system that has given Wales, England and Ireland the opportunity to climb to number one over the past few weeks.

Vice Chairman of World Rugby Augustin Pichot has now weighed in on the debate, claiming it is “ridiculous” how Wales can climb to number one despite last beating the All Blacks in 1953.

The former Argentina captain also said the ranking system does not treat either Italy or his home nation fairly, as they have tougher schedules being in the Six Nations and Rugby Championship, respectively.

“It is a ranking that is badly done and I said it the first day I arrived at World Rugby,” Pichot said in a Spanish interview.

“It has no order, it is all mathematical and I would say that it is almost a matter of marketing. It’s ridiculous! I’m going to change it. I assure.”

As expected, Wales fans are not going to lie down and accept those comments, and have responded on social media.

ADVERTISEMENT

https://twitter.com/spincha10/status/1166850075756322816?s=20

A huge number of fans have said that Wales’ 14-match win streak over the past 15 months does not lie, where they have beaten the likes of South Africa, Australia and Ireland, all of whom have beaten the All Blacks in the past year.

Many fans have also said that Pichot has not voiced his opinion in the past when the All Blacks sat at the top and that it is only because Wales are number one that he is critical.

It seemed very unlikely that the former scrum-half was going to be able to pass these comments without facing a backlash, and that has indeed come from the Welsh fans who feel that Warren Gatland’s side are rightfully ranked number one.

ADVERTISEMENT

In Pichot’s defence, he has only echoed what many fans, particularly from New Zealand, have been saying since the Grand Slam winners displaced Steve Hansen’s side.

Many of the complaints have been that Wales have fortunately faced many of the top ranked sides in Cardiff, which is a veritable fortress, while their away wins have come against the likes of Argentina, who have won three of their last 26 matches, and an experimental Springboks side in Washington D.C.

But all Wales could do was beat those teams, which they did, and on paper they undoubtedly have the best record over the past year or so. Whether they would beat the All Blacks or not is academic as they have not played.

Ultimately, with the World Cup under a month away, these rankings – which may well change again in the coming weeks – will not be playing on the coaches’ minds too much.

Related Articles

  • 28 WEEKS AGO

    WATCH: Bielle-Biarrey & Penaud stunning long-range...

  • 28 WEEKS AGO

    Springbok star leaves Ulster Rugby following...

  • 28 WEEKS AGO

    Jonny Gray to exit Exeter Chiefs with immediate...



ADVERTISEMENT

Great Tries

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    WATCH: Outlandish Jacob Stockdale finish is truly world class

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Ulster denied THE GREATEST URC try you will ever see!

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Capuozzo break sets Dupont up for hatrick on return

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Fans praise 'Dom Perignon Rugby' as Irish players prepare for final match of South African tour

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Harlequins winger heralded as the next big England breakthrough after weekend's performance

View All

Big Hits & Dirty Play

  • 5 HOURS AGO

    WATCH: The biggest hit from week one of the Autumn Nations Series

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    'Cheap shot' from Leicester Tigers vs Northampton Saints causing a stir online

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Wild moment leads to all in brawl during Welsh derby between Cardiff and Scarlets

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    South African school boy makes the greatest tackle ever

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    Huge guillotine tackle divides fans in viral footage

View All

See It To Believe It

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    Insane moment as french backrow waves off medic and smokes Ange Capuozzo

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible drop goal helps break 25-match losing streak

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Leinster fly half delivers insane 50:22 after being given start for Emerging Ireland

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    French scrumhalf drills perfect shot at goal under outrageous circumstances

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Siya Kolisi makes young fans' day as he arrives at Cape Town school

View All

Funnies

  • 1 DAY AGO

    Mischievous Marcus Smith spotted engaging in the dark arts during All Blacks match

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Jonny Sexton: 'Fondest memory of the Heineken Cup in 2011?' - 'Gordon D'Arcy's bar' and 'Coppers'

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Watch: Mike Haley's post match interaction with RG Snyman leaves no doubt about where Munster players stand

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    The rugby guy and Mack Hansen drop an all time BANGER with latest video

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    ‘Pitch is made of concrete’ - Fan provides much needed update following half time incident

View All

Amateur

  • 95 WEEKS AGO

    You Won’t See Many Better Than This Silky-Smooth Try From Llandovery RFC

  • 95 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes As Caldy RFC Hand Ealing First Championship Defeat Of The Season

  • 118 WEEKS AGO

    Dubious Score Decides Result Of Rugby's Biggest Schools Fixture

  • 118 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes At School Boys Rugby Match

  • 119 WEEKS AGO

    The Next Dominant Backrow?

View All

Player Features

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Louis Rees-Zammit opens up about his biggest shock in chasing NFL dream

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    'It's been an honour' - Wales legend retires from international rugby

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Jonny Sexton: 'Fondest memory of the Heineken Cup in 2011?' - 'Gordon D'Arcy's bar' and 'Coppers'

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    'It's been horrible' - Wales captain to miss Autumn Nations

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    'It was an easy decision for me' - Saints star commits to future

View All