The Wallabies' scrappy defeat of Italy was enough to ensure the Australian team moved up to third place in the latest International Rugby Board (IRB) rankings.

Australia struggled to overcome the plucky Azzurri in Rome last weekend but the 25-18 win, coupled with South Africa's 32-15 defeat by Ireland, assured the Wallabies pushed the Springboks back to fourth.

New Zealand increased their lead in first place to more than seven points over France, who remain second despite their 47-3 mauling by the All Blacks in Lyon.

Argentina had another first when they climbed two places to sixth in after stunning England at Twickenham.

The Pumas, whose 25-18 win on Saturday was their first at Twickenham, leap-frogged England, whose seventh place is a new low for beleaguered coach Andy Robinson's side, and Scotland.

Argentina will be hoping their achievements jolt the IRB and the organisers of the game's top tournaments, the Tri-nations in the southern hemisphere and Europe's Six Nations, into finding a place for the Pumas at one of the top tables.

World champions England, meanwhile, must be more worried than ever that they could fall as early as the quarter-finals when they defend their title in the World Cup in France this time next year.

Further down the ranking, Namibia climbed three places to 23rd after they beat Morocco to qualify for the World Cup where they will meet hosts France, Ireland, Argentina and either Georgia or Portugal in Pool D.

Top 12:

1. New Zealand 94.06 points

2. France 86.39

3. Australia 85.50

4. South Africa 85.24

5. Ireland 83.81

6. Argentina 79.01

7. England 78.14

8. Scotland 77.72

9. Wales 77.02

10. Samoa 73.86

11. Fiji 73.15

12. Italy 72.89

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