London (AFP)
Wales will take first place in the World Rugby World Rankings on Monday with a win over England (13-6) on Saturday in Cardiff, one month away from the World Cup (20 September-2 November).
The Welsh will double the double world champions in New Zealand title, while the All Blacks will try to get a third consecutive consecration at the World Cup in Japan.
Despite his overwhelming victory against Australia on Saturday in Auckland (36-0), New Zealand, held at home by South Africa (16-16) and then swept away by the Wallabies (47-26) earlier in the summer, will therefore lose the top of the World Rugby standings. The All Blacks were in this world rank since November 16, 2009.
For the XV Leek, this first place crowns an excellent season, marked in particular by a Grand Slam in the last tournament of six nations.
If England's Eddie Jones had delayed the finish at the top of the Welsh by winning Sunday in Twickenham (33-19) in the first warm-up match of the two teams, Warren Gatland and his band have this time not shaking.
At the Millennium Stadium, the Welsh immediately took advantage of the absence of Anthony Watson, punished by a yellow card, to mark a superb test.
Dan Biggar, who regained his spot at the opening after Gareth Anscombe's injury, sent Josh Adams a long pass. If the winger was caught, Biggar quickly sent another pass to the foot of the other side of the field. George North did not spoil the offering (10-0, 35).
More solid in the second half, the XV of the Rose nibbled late, thanks in particular to the boot of George Ford (10-6, 57). But the Welsh defense has been brilliant twice.
Pushed into their entrenchments, a few meters from their in-goal, the Welsh got two penalties on the English highlights to finally clear.
At the end of the match, Leigh Halfpenny punished his rivals and neighbors one last time, with a penalty (13-6, 76) to put his team at the top of the world rankings and claim their place as favorites in Japan.
© 2019 AFP