The rugby ranking system was instituted by the IRB just before the 2003 World Cup. It didn't start as it meant to go on because England were the first number one ranked team and Australia also started above New Zealand.
Since then, it has been an All Black landslide apart from three brief spells when they were at number two. South Africa is the only other country to hold the number one spot which they last held in 2009, when the current All Black reign began.
Over that time the All Blacks have played 73 tests, losing twice each to Australia and South Africa, once to England, while also "suffering" two draws against their trans-Tasman rivals.
All Blacks fullback Ben Smith made his debut against Italy two days after New Zealand re-gained the number one spot, meaning the side have held the top ranking during all of his 38 test appearances.
IRB rankings
1 - New Zealand - 93.70
2 - South Africa - 87.00
3 - Ireland - 85.76
4 - England - 85.40
5 - Australia - 84.18
6 - Wales - 84.07
7 - France - 79.74
8 - Argentina - 78.23
9 - Samoa - 75.91
10 - Fiji - 75.22
All Blacks record since becoming number one in 2009
Played:
73
Won:
66
Lost:
5
Drawn:
2
Winning %:
91.78
Includes...
12 wins over Australia
9 wins over South Africa
7 wins over France and England
Unbeaten 36 wins at home
1 Rugby World Cup
3 Rugby Championships
1 Tri Nations
Longest consecutive months on top
