Rugby union power rankings: All Blacks still No 1 despite rare defeat | Gerard Meagher

A year from the World Cup New Zealand look good for a hat-trick of wins but Ireland, South Africa and Wales are all on the rise with England and Australia heading in the other directionDefeat by South Africa in Wellington reminded the world that the All Blacks can be beaten – no bad thing with 12 months to go until the World Cup – but they are still the overwhelming favourites for a third straight crown. They weren’t brilliant against France over the summer but then thrashed Australia twice, displaying an ability to find a gear their opponents cannot live with. It will be fascinating to see th…