Rugby World Cup 2019: All Blacks status as world’s best at stake against Wallabies

All Blacks could lose their ranking as the best rugby team on the planet.

A Wallabies win in Perth would elevate Warren Gatland’s Welsh side to the top of the rankings – usurping the All Blacks for the first time in 10 years.

The 2009 Springboks were the last side to hold the number one ranking, before a decade of New Zealand dominance that has included a European Grand Slam and two World Cup titles.

Wales have won 14 straight tests and are reigning Six Nations champions, after an undefeated campaign earlier this year.

Conversely, the All Blacks have won seven of their last 10 tests, losing South Africa in Wellington and Ireland in Dublin, then drawing with the Springboks in the capital two weeks ago.

History would suggest Australia could pull an unlikely upset on Saturday night. The Wallabies have snared at least one test win over the All Blacks every Rugby World Cup year since 1999.

If Michael Cheika’s side can repeat the dose this weekend, Wales will become the best team in the world.

Well, at least until Monday – if they fall to England at Twickenham, they would slip to third, behind the All Blacks and Joe Schmidt’s Irish side.