New Zealand remain second in the World Rugby Women’s Rankings powered by Capgemini following their World Rugby Pacific Four Series 2022 title-clinching defeat of the USA.

The Black Ferns beat the Women’s Eagles 50-6 in Whangarei as Ayesha Leti-I’iga scored three of her side’s eight tries.

Victory ensured that the hosts secured the Pacific Four Series crown at the very first attempt, however, it was not enough to eat into England’s 7.21 rating-point lead at the top of the Women’s Rankings.

Despite defeat, the USA remain fifth, 9.53 rating points behind North American rivals Canada who beat Australia 22-10 in Whangarei on Saturday.

Canada finished the 2022 Pacific Four Series behind the Black Ferns in second thanks to victory against the winless Australians.

The win meant they remain fourth in the Women’s Rankings, 0.75 rating points behind third-place France. Australia ended the Pacific Four Series in eighth, with less than two rating points separating them and fifth-placed USA.

Zimbabwe were the biggest movers in this week’s Women’s Rankings, jumping four places from 49th to 45th following their 72-0 defeat of Namibia at the Rugby Africa Women’s Cup 2022 on Sunday.

Victory was a stunning way for Zimbabwe to bounce back from their opening 108-0 defeat to hosts South Africa in Cape Town last Wednesday.

In spite of the size of their triumph, the Rugby World Cup 2021 qualifiers were not able to improve on 13th place in the Women’s Rankings.

Namibia, meanwhile, dropped two places, below Philippines and Luxembourg as a result of their loss to Zimbabwe.

There was one match that contributed towards the World Rugby Men’s Rankings powered by Capgemini over the weekend.

However, Japan’s 34-15 victory against Uruguay in Tokyo did not impact on either team’s position or rating. The hosts remain 10th while Los Teros are 19th.