THE latest Rugby League International Federation world rankings have been released, with Australia stretching their lead over New Zealand following their ANZAC Test triumph in Canberra.
Tonga’s convincing win over Samoa on the same weekend sees the Pacific Islanders move up two places, breaking into the top 10 and overtaking the USA and Scotland. The two European Shield matches in May have allowed Russia and Serbia to close the gap on Italy, with Russia poised to move ahead of the 14th-placed Italians should they win in Padova on June 29.
Germany’s victory over the Netherlands sees them move from 20th to 19th place, while Netherlands enters the rankings system for the first time.
Australia will take on Fiji in the Rugby League World Cup on November 2 at Langtree Park. Tickets are available here.
RLIF World Rankings – June 2013
1 Australia
2 New Zealand
3 England
4 France
5 Wales
6 Papua New Guinea
7 Fiji
8 Samoa
9 Ireland
10 Tonga
11 Scotland
12 USA
13 Italy
14 Russia
15 Serbia
16 Lebanon
17 Cook Islands
18 Germany
19 Canada
20 Norway
21 Malta
22 Jamaica
23 Ukraine
24 South Africa
25 Latvia
26 Denmark
27 Estonia
28 Sweden
29 Netherlands
30 Morocco
31 Belgium