KEY POINTS:
The All Blacks have broken more new ground, this time on the International Rugby Board world rankings.
The weekly rankings update today showed New Zealand had climbed to 94.06 points out of 100, the highest rating any team had achieved since the rankings were established in 2003.
Following their 47-3 win over world No 2 France at Lyon on Sunday morning (NZT), the All Blacks have opened up a 7.67-point margin over their nearest rivals.
That is easily the biggest leading margin any team has had.
Australia somehow move ahead of South Africa into third place, less than a point behind France, despite opening their European tour with a draw against Wales and unconvincing defeat of Italy.
Ireland are steady at fifth while Argentina climb to their best-ever ranking, leapfrogging England and Scotland into sixth place.
England held the previous record for best ranking score of any nation, the 93.99 points they accrued after winning the 2003 World Cup.
They have endured a steady decline since, ceding the No 1 ranking to the All Blacks when they lost the two-test series in New Zealand in June 2004. The All Blacks have never relinquished the position since.
Leading IRB world rankings: New Zealand 94.06 points 1, France 86.39 2, Australia 85.50 3, South Africa 85.24 4, Ireland 83.81 5, Argentina 79.01 6, England 78.14 7, Scotland 77.72 8, Wales 77.02 9, Samoa 73.86 10.
- NZPA
