Wallabies dispute Irish consistency in a world gone mad
The world champions are furious that they’ve been demoted to fourth behind England, the All Blacks and third placed Ireland.
Under coach Eddie O’Sullivan, Ireland have won 15 of the last 17 games and lost only to England and Eddie Jones’ Wallabies.
But that has cut no ice with Aussie commentators who slated the IRB yesterday for their latest ‘joke’ rankings.
Former Wallabies prop and rugby commentator Chris Handy said it was crazy the defending cup holders were ranked at number four considering the Irish had enjoyed only one Test win over Australia in 24 years and were beaten 45-16 in their last meeting in Perth on June 7.
“I just wonder which planet the IRB people are living on at the moment,” said Handy, who was a reserve when Ireland last won a series against the Wallabies in 1979. “It just shows you the rankings are worth very little.
“Maybe the IRB, whose headquarters are in Dublin, is a little too close to St James Gate, where Guinness is brewed, and they have been imbibing a little too much.”
The IRB defended the rankings yesterday, insisting they were based solely on statistics. “The system was chosen for it’s integrity and is based on nothing but results. People can go to the website, [http://www.irb.com/rankings/rankings_explained.cfm] to see for themselves how the system operates,” IRB spokesperson Michelle Treacy said.
The IRB said the rankings were tested against a database of more than 4,500 international matches dating back to 1871.
Each team was awarded their ranking points (up to 100) on current strength, which stays the same until they play again.
But under the system, a team cannot gain points with close losses against higher-ranked opponents.
As Australia has lost four of its past five Tests, its IRB ranking has fallen to 83.81 from the projected 87.43 it would have had last year when ranked second behind New Zealand.
Through winning 15 of its past 17 Tests, mostly against lower-ranked teams, Ireland have risen from sixth and now have 83.92 points.
The IRB also announced yesterday that persistent foul play offenders could be suspended under new disciplinary proceedings.
Players who receive three yellow cards in the tournament will have to appear before a judicial commissioner to determine whether further punishment is necessary.
The IRB also said independent citing commissioners would be located at the television studios of the host broadcaster, rather than at the match venues.
Meanwhile Romania’s French coach Bernard Charreyre has to do without the injured duo, centre Florin Corodeanu and prop Dragos Dima, for the Rugby World Cup.
Corodeanu injured his elbow during a commando-style training session in the French Pyrenees while Dima has not recovered from back surgery.
Romania, playing in their fifth straight World Cup, face defending champions Australia, Argentina, Ireland and Namibia, kicking off against Ireland on October 11 at Gosford.
Latest world rankings: 1. England, 89.95; 2. New Zealand, 89.8 3. Ireland, 83.92; 4. Australia, 83.81; 5. France, 82.85; 6. South Africa, 80.92; 7. Argentina, 80; 8. Samoa, 74.67; 9. Scotland, 74.42; 10. Wales, 74.24.
Romanian squad: Forwards: P. Balan (Biarritz, P. Toderasc (Farul Constanta), M. Socaciu (Rovigo), D. Tudosa (Metro Racing Paris), S. Florea (Steaua Bucharest), C. Popescu (Steaua Bucharest), Marius Tincu (Pau), C. Petre (MRP), A. Petrichei (Bourgoin), S. Socol (Brive), G. Chiriac (Farul Constanta), Costica Mersoiu (Steaua Bucharest), O. Tonita (Biarritz), M. Nicolai (Lavelannet), B. Tudor (Valence Sportif, M. Tudori (Peirorad), M. Pantelimon (Farul Constanta)
Backs: L. Sarbu (MRP), C. Podea (Universitatea Cluj), I. Tofan (MRP), G. Brezoianu (Bordeaux), R. Gontineac (Grenoble), V. Maftei (Valence), C. Sauan (Rovigo), I. Teodorescu (Universitatea Cluj), V. Ghioc (Dinamo Bucharest), B. Voicu (Universitatea Cluj), I. Andrei (Steaua Bucharest), D. Dumbrava (Steaua Bucharest) M. Vioreanu (DLSP)
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