Gatland ready for jokes over world rugby ranking

Wales head coach Warren Gatland said he is prepared for a backlash from New Zealand media following the news that Wales have taken the number one spot in the World Rugby rankings.

The Welsh beat England 13-6 in Cardiff on Saturday while the All Blacks hammered Australia 36-0, yet New Zealand have lost the top ranking for the first time since November 2009.

🗣️ “It’s just a number, that’s all it is”

🏉 Wales head coach Warren Gatland on Wales becoming the number one ranked team in the world pic.twitter.com/Zn0YYMnHq0

— BBC Sport Wales (@BBCSportWales) August 17, 2019

“It’s nice for a day, but we won’t be shouting from the rooftops about it,” said Gatland. “We have got to keep things in perspective.

“Lots of journalists will be out there saying ‘this is a joke’ — probably Kiwi journalists more than anything. It’s just a number.”

England head coach Eddie Jones took the opportunity to put pressure on the Welsh leading into the World Cup, which starts next month.

“They’re favourites for the World Cup now. When you go to number one, you’re favourites for the World Cup,” said Jones.

Watch highlights from both games below:

Wales v England

New Zealand v Australia