Australia still sit  atop the latest RLIF rankings which have been released today and which feature 28 national Rugby League teams spread over five continents.

The Kangaroos have amassed 1,418.964 rating points which gives them a 100 per cent rating index putting them ahead of New Zealand in second place on 73 per cent and England in third on 55 per cent. Papua New Guinea sit in fourth position with 291.7474 rating points and a rating index of 21 per cent.

With Rugby League World Cup 2013 just around the corner, France have extended their lead over Wales in fifth place courtesy of their 28-16 victory on June 16.

Elsewhere, Ireland have overtaken USA into 11th place and below this Russia and Serbia are now level on 43 points with Russia moving up from 17th to 16th place, overtaking the Serbs courtesy of their victory in the Shield.

Germany move up one place from 19th to 18th thanks to their Shield campaign and Canada draw virtually level on points with Malta in 20th position.

 Team name  Rating points  Rating index

Australia 1417.964 100%

New Zealand 1040.941 73%

England 779.2501 55%

PNG 291.7474 21%

France 251.0724 18%

Wales 240.6773 17%

Fiji 147.4178 10%

Samoa 127.6 9%

Tonga 105.3552 7%

Scotland 85.61752 6%

Ireland 79.99498 6%

USA 68.77781 5%

Italy 59.25739 4%

Lebanon 50.51217 4%

Cook Islands 47.48089 3%

Russia 43.38331 3%

Serbia 43.25831 3%

Germany 37.45972 3%

Norway 33.696 2%

Malta 25.7824 2%

Canada 25.00091 2%

Jamaica 20.5962 1%

Ukraine 18.1596 1%

South Africa 16.71041 1%

Czech Rep 12.82406 1%

Latvia 11.9392 1%

Denmark 6.8096 0%

Sweden 3.12 0%