New Zealand and South Africa are the greatest rugby nations in the history of the game. In the sport’s long amateur history, these two nations set the standards. British & Irish Lions success rated so highly in these two countries because victories were so difficult, so rare.
In the dying days of amateurism, Australia turned the dual dominance into a trinity with World Cup victories in 1991 and 1999. For better or worse, that tournament defines the international game, and of its nine editions to date, the “big three” have won eight. England are the northern hemisphere’s only winner.
That could well change in the next 12 months. Europe holds the aces. The World Rugby rankings are telling. The top two sides are from this
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