Kiwis Still On Top Of World

Kiwis Still On Top Of World

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NZ Kiwis will take the world #1 ranking into their Four Nations title defence later this year.

Latest Rugby League International Federation rankings see New Zealand retain its top spot, despite consecutive losses to rivals England and Australia.

In their most recent outing, the Kiwis fell 16-0 to the Kangaroos in last month's Downer Test at Newcastle, after dropping a three-test series 2-1 in England last November.

But the accumulated points from the 2014 Four Nations triumph and 2015 Anzac Test victory see them still clear at top of the table.

The Kiwis will face Australia (second), England (third) and Scotland (ninth) in the Four Nations tournament, starting October 29.

Biggest improvers have been Papua New Guinea, whose victory over seventh-ranked Fiji last month sees them improve three spots to 11th.

PNG is already assured of hosting three pool games at next year's Rugby League World Cup.

"The win against Fiji last month was our first in an overseas match in 16 years, and followed a home win over Tonga in 2014 and a close loss to the Bati in 2015," says PNGRL chairman Sandis Tsaka.

"The strengthening and growth of our domestic rugby league programmes and the introduction of the SP Hunters in the Intrust Queensland Cup three years ago has opened up international pathways for more of our elite players."

RLIF World Rankings (June 2016)

ENDS

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