This is all I could find on world rankings - from RLeague site.
:: WORLD RANKINGS
:: AUSTRALIAN KANGAROOS
Nation: Australia Entered League: 1907
Rank: 1st Change Since 2002: None
Comments: Few could argue that Australia is not the best team in the world. After 20 years of dominance of the international scene the side again and again brings out the goods to win vital test matches. How long this dominance may last is not yet known with the improving performances of both New Zealand and Great Britain, but in the meanwhile, the Kangaroos deserve to be named, number one.
:: NEW ZEALAND KIWIS
Nation: New Zealand Entered League: 1907
Rank: 2nd Change Since 2002: None
Comments: Despite drawing with Great Britain, New Zealand have kept their position at number two with the increased depth the side is now growing. The improving nature of the New Zealand Warriors, as well as the Bartercard Cup competition is adding the necessary depth the Kiwis need in order to stay competitive at the top of International Rugby League.
:: ENGLAND LIONS
Nation: England Entered League: 1895
Rank: 3rd Change Since 2002: None
Comments: Great Britain did draw the series against New Zealand, and the introduction of an England A squad will ensure the English are competitive come World Cup time, but at the moment, they are still just short of being right up with the current two leaders in Rugby League. A few more years of regular internationals could very change this however.
:: WELSH DRAGONS
Nation: Wales Entered League: 1895
Rank: 4th Change Since 2002: None
Comments: Competitive in the World Cup, and still pulling out strong performances since, the Welsh could very well be on the verge of something big, and with a number of semi-professional clubs forming in their competitions over the next few years, could be soon challenging the top three.
:: PAPUA NEW GUINEA KUMULS
Nation: PNG Entered League: 1948
Rank: 5th Change Since 2002: Up One
Comments: A strong performance against the Junior Kangaroos this year and against the full strength Kangaroos in 2001 have seen PNG continue to rise. Their inability to form a completely professional squad however will hinder and further movement up the ladder.
:: IRELAND
Nation: Ireland Entered League: 1996
Rank: 7th Change Since 2002: Up Two
Comments: A quickly growing nation, Ireland's Amateurs played with pride and passion through their international season, thus allowing them to leapfrog Scotland and France. The work of Rugby League Ireland has only been strengthening the Emerald Isle who will be hoping to play some regular tests in 2003 for their professional squad.
:: SCOTLAND
Nation: Scotland Entered League: 1996
Rank: 7th Change Since 2002: None
Comments: Scotland have stayed the same world of Rugby League despite not playing a test in 2002. A combination of improved strength in the Scottish Conference competition, regular matches by the Scottish Students throughout Europe, a number of Scottish players now being based in the National League competition and a poor performance by France in 2002 have all meant Scotland did not deserve to rise or fall.
:: FRANCE CHANTICLEERS
Nation: France Entered League: 1933
Rank: 8th Change Since 2002: Down Three
Comments: A surprise loss to Lebanon, and some internal problems have seen France drop in the world rankings. Despite still being extremely competive against the Kiwis, unless France do something to put their competition back in line, they will only drop as other nations like from the Pacific and Russia rise.
:: FIJI BATIS
Nation: Fiji Entered League: 1992
Rank: 9th Change Since 2002: None
Comments: A surprise win against England A in their second test against the visitors has allowed Fiji to keep its position in the world rankings. The nation, despite losing Lote Tuqiri, has continued to produce talented players and looks to only improve in strength over the next few years.
:: TONGA
Nation: Tonga Entered League: 1988
Rank: 10th Change Since 2002: None
Comments: Strong performers against a determined England A side, and did not let their nation down when touring New Zealand this year, Tonga have a large amount of talent coming through their ranks, however need more internationals to take the next step.
:: LEBANON CEDARS
Nation: Lebanon Entered League: 1997
Rank: 11th Change Since 2002: Up Two
Comments: A brilliant win against France in their first home test, the Lebanese are making some strong progress, and with a number of professional players to call upon, the side will only move up the rankings as time goes on.
:: SAMOA
Nation: Samoa Entered League: 1987
Rank: 12th Change Since 2002: Down One
Comments: Back in the League crowd, their ability to call upon almost the Kiwi's second XIII guarentees them a spot in the top sixteen nations. Samoa play their first match again in League in the upcoming World Sevens.
:: RUSSIAN BEARS
Nation: Russia Entered League: 1989
Rank: 13th Change Since 2002: Up One
Comments: Strong progress has been made in Russia, in terms of internationals, support from the government, and the improving profile of their club competition has seen Russia on the rise. Still some time out from being a real force in the international arena, Russia is taking the necessary steps to continue to improve.
:: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA TOMAHAWKS
Nation: USA Entered League: 1994
Rank: 14th Change Since 2002: Up One
Comments: Another improver in the world of Rugby League, USA, played matches against Russia, Japan, Ireland, New Zealand A, Souths Juniors and Tatarstan in 2002, and will only stand to benefit from all of them.
:: ITALY
Nation: Italy Entered League: 1997
Rank: 15th Change Since 2002: Up One
Comments: With Italian Rugby Clubs climbing on board, and a player named in the upcoming World Emerging XIII by TotalRL.com, the Italians are making forward momentum. Competitions such as the Padova Cup will only help them move forward and hopefully become a competitive nation.
:: SOUTH AFRICAN RHINOS
Nation: South Africa Entered League: 1992
Rank: 16th Change Since 2002: Up One
Comments: Finally heading in the right direction. With an seven team domestic competition, and regular tours by their aged sides to Australia and around the world, the Rhinos are finally heading up instead of down.
:: NEW CALENDONIA
Nation: New Calendonia Entered League: 2002
Rank: 17th Change Since 2002: New Nation
Comments: Whilst only just starting to play the XIII man game, New Calendonia have already made alot of forward progress. With a Rugby Union background, the New Calendonians were very competitive against NSW Universities in their first ever international, and only have better things to come.
:: COOK ISLANDS
Nation: Cook Islands Entered League: 1994
Rank: 18th Change Since 2002: Down Six
Comments: Cook Islands unfortunately haven't gotten worst, its just everyone else has gotten better. They are one of the unfortunate groups who are disadvantaged by their small population and remoteness. Still with their ability to call on some talented professional players, they can still challenge even some of the best nations in international Rugby League.
:: MOROCCO
Nation: Morocco Entered League: 1996
Rank: 19th Change Since 2002: None
Comments: No change for Morocco, who whilst having internationals taken away from them has still managed to keep on promoting Rugby League, battling away hoping one day to be noticed.
:: JAPAN
Nation: Japan Entered League: 1994
Rank: 20th Change Since 2002: None
Comments: Japan played only one international in 2002 against USA, a match which looks to become an annual fixture. They need more matches in order to become more competitive in the international arena.
:: SERBIA
Nation: Serbia Entered League: 2002
Rank: 21st Change Since 2002: New Nation
Comments: A new nation in the world of Rugby League. Serbia play their first internationals in 2003, in the World Sevens and against Russia. From those matches it should be easier to grade the side.
:: AMERICAN SAMOA
Nation: American Samoa Entered League: 1988
Rank: 22nd Change Since 2002: Re-Ranked
Comments: Back in the rankings, American Samoa will be in the 2003 Emerging Sevens tournament. Still battling along, despite little to no support or recognition, it will be good to see the side once again playing internationals.
:: CANADA
Nation: Canada Entered League: 1989
Rank: 23rd Change Since 2002: Down Five
Comments: Little to no information about the Canadian competition in 2002, seems to single the worst for the competition. As a result the side has dropped in placings as other nations have continued to rise.
