Neither England or Australia in the top two of World Rankings and surprise inclusions in top 10

The Rugby League World Rankings ahead of the Rugby League World Cup make for interesting ready.

Right at the top of the rankings are the Kiwis with Tonga in second place meaning neither England nor Australia are in the top two which us unsurprising given the lack or rugby played by the two nations in recent years.

Australia are fourth in fact with the country giving more focus to State of Origin than international matches. However, coach Mal Meninga said this week that the Kangaroos are coming to win the World Cup.

Rhyse Martin’s Papua New Guinea make up the top five with Fiji and Samoa unsurprisingly just behind. However, of the next four spots three are encouraging surprises.

France are ninth – quite a low position for a team full of quality – with Serbia and Malta either side as shock inclusions in the top 10. Greece are 11th in another surprise with Lebanon and the Netherlands also high up with Scotland and Ireland also in the top 15.

Wales are 16th whilst the Cook Islands and Italy also fail to make the top 15.

Obviously not great news for Wales but positive for the sport to see the game growing in Greece, serbia and Malta as well as Turkey who also feature in the top 20.

1 New Zealand
2 Tonga
3 England
4 Australia
5 Papua New Guinea
6 Fiji
7 Samoa
8 Serbia
9 France
10 Malta
11 Greece
12 Ireland
13 Lebananon
14 Netherlands
15 Scotland