All through the history of rugby, two nations have consistently stood head and shoulders above the rest – New Zealand and South Africa.
Primary spot should probably go to New Zealand. New Zealand’s nationwide aspect, the All Blacks, is essentially the most revered facet on the earth of rugby. Any New Zealander, who pulls on the well-known black rugby jersey, will take the sphere with the backing and expectations of the whole nation. Failure will not be an choice.
The All Blacks constantly field world-class players, who obtain results that different nations can only envy. Since their first test match in 1903, the All Blacks have performed 487 exams, profitable a staggering seventy five%, winning two Rugby World Cups and are the current World Champions.
The All Blacks have a protracted rivalry with the South African Springboks. Rugby in South Africa nearly has the standing of a religion and the supporters are fanatical. The country has a fame for producing massive, uncompromising gamers with immense ability and, earlier than the introduction of professional rugby and neutral referees, the South Africans had been almost not possible to defeat in a test series on dwelling soil.
The Springboks have gained the Rugby World Cup twice, in 1995 and 2007. Since their first international against a British Isles facet in 1891, the Springboks have performed 407 exams with a win ratio of sixty three%.
Although they are at the moment listed simply above the Springboks, at second in the IRB rankings, the Australian Wallabies fall behind them if historical past is taken into consideration. As rugby will not be Australia’s most popular sport, assist there may be much less fanatical than in New Zealand and South Africa. Expectations, however, are just as high and the Wallabies normally deliver.
The Wallabies have performed nearly all of their rugby in opposition to the All Blacks and Springboks, which has enormously affected their win-loss ratio. Nevertheless, this still stands at 52% from 507 matches. They have won the Rugby World Cup twice, 1991 and 1999, and are a force to be reckoned with every time they play.
At the moment ranked fourth on this planet by the IRB are England. This is in all probability a good reflection of their rugby history. England performed their first, and incidentally the world’s first ever worldwide, against Scotland in 1871 – and misplaced. Since then, however, they have been the most successful of the European sides.
Total, England has played 654 internationals with a win fee of 57%. Although that is better than Australia’s, it have to be remembered that the Wallabies have played the top two sides much more typically. England’s file is affected by the aspect’s inconsistent performances on tour, a few of which have been very poor, in the fashionable era mainly because of the unavailability of first selection gamers. At present, England remains the only northern hemisphere side to have gained the Rugby World Cup (2003).
Rounding out the best five rugby nations is the rugby-mad Welsh. Although ranked at 6 on the IRB rankings record, one place under France, Wales’ proud rugby history provides them fifth spot on this most successful nations list. The Welsh are obsessed with their rugby but the nationwide aspect has seen periods of greatness and gloom. The brightest interval of Welsh rugby was in all probability the interval from 1969 to 1979, when the Welsh side was thought-about to be one of the most interesting sides of all time. Nearly not possible to beat at residence, the staff offered nearly all of gamers for the successful British Lions excursions of New Zealand (1971) and South Africa (1974).
Welsh rugby then fell into the doldrums until round 2006, when the nationwide aspect won the six nations Grand slam. Although Wales have by no means gained the Rugby World Cup, the future is looking brighter.
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