If the attraction of a sport is measured in terms of unpredictability, international rugby has never been as compelling.
Ever since the world rankings were introduced in 2003, New Zealand have sat at the top 12 months out from a World Cup.
They were top for 10 years from 2009 after overhauling South Africa and they had looked down on the rest for three years after overtaking England before the Springboks won the 2007 World Cup.
Today New Zealand lie in fourth place. They had dropped to fifth after losing at home to Argentina last month but clambered back above England after putting 53 poin...