World Rugby has published the ranking permutations for this weekend's matches in the World Rugby Pacific Four Series 2024.
Permutation highlights
Canada will replace New Zealand in second if they win their World Rugby Pacific Four Series 2024 encounter in Christchurch on Sunday – equalling their highest ever position and one they last occupied in November 2016.
A narrow win would see Canada sit 0.17 rating points above New Zealand but victory by more than 15 points would see that gap become 1.73 points.
The latter victory margin would see England’s advantage at the top increase to 6.97 points.
Defeat would also see New Zealand drop out of the top two for the first time since the World Rugby Women’s Rankings were introduced in February 2016.
New Zealand can only close the deficit to England at the top by a maximum of 0.59 rating points, which would leave them trailing the Red Roses by 5.75 points.
Canada’s stay in third will last only a week if they lose to the Black Ferns with France reclaiming the position again.
In Friday’s other Pacific Four Series match, Australia are unable to improve their rating with victory over USA due to the 7.79 points difference between the teams before home weighting is factored in.
However, victory would ensure qualification for Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 and WXV 1 2024 for the Wallaroos.
The Wallaroos cannot fall from fifth as a loss by more than 15 points would still leave them 1.37 points better off than Scotland below them.
The Women’s Eagles will climb one place to ninth with a draw, while victory will lift them three places to seventh with Wales, Italy and Ireland all falling a place.
Match officials
Maggie Cogger-Orr (New Zealand) takes charge of Australia v USA for the second time, having overseen the Women's Eagles' 16-14 victory in 2022.
Aurélie Groizeleau (France) makes her Pacific Four Series debut in the middle with New Zealand v Canada in Christchurch. It will be the first time she referees this fixture.
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