Kangaroos back on top in rugby league world rankings
Mal Meninga has returned the Kangaroos to their long-held spot at the top of the international rugby league tree with Australia capturing this year’s World Cup crown in England last month
And the defeated finalists, Samoa, have rocketed up the International Rugby League (IRL) world rankings ladder to be third, just behind New Zealand and ahead of Great Britain, Tonga, and Fiji.
The Kangaroos slipped from first to third since their 2017 Rugby League World Cup win due to the COVID pandemic restricting their appearance in international games.
Their 30-10 triumph over Samoa at Old Trafford on November 17 was their 12th World Cup victory since 1957 and their eighth from the past nine World Cups staged since 1975, such is their dominance.
Meninga, who is now on target to become Australia’s most successful coach, did not miss a beat in making sure the Kangaroos turned up for the final against Samoa in peak condition.
He rotated his playing roster brilliantly, making sure every member of his squad had at least two games under his belt before the finals.
He also enjoyed a slice of luck along the way, avoiding any serious injuries heading into the Old Trafford showdown, which was a credit to the Kangaroos’ medical staff.
The job ahead is now for Meninga to groom a Kangaroos squad capable of defending the crown in France in 2025, with nations like Samoa and Tonga growing in strength every year.
“We deserve our number one ranking, especially considering how far some of the Pacific nations have come in the past few years,” said Meninga.
The World Cup, which was transferred from 2021 to this year because of COVID, was a resounding success both on and off the field.
All 61 matches of the men’s, women’s and wheelchair tournaments were televised live, making it the most watched and successful World Cup ever.
Australia’s Jillaroos were magnificent in disposing of arch-rivals New Zealand in the women’s final, while hosts England took out the final of the men’s wheelchair section as they reversed their 2017 loss to France.
All-an-all World Cup 2021 was a huge success according to Rugby League World Cup chief executive Jon Dutton.
“Our ambition for Rugby League World Cup 2021 was to make the tournament the biggest, best, and most inclusive World Cup in the sport’s 127-year history,” he said.
“I think we’ve achieved that and more.”
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