Australia remain top of the world rankings despite losing to New Zealand in the 2008 World Cup final.

The rankings, released today by the Rugby League International Federation, are based on a two-year cycle of results and the Kangaroos stay in pole position having defeated the Kiwis in three of their last four meetings.

England remain third despite their poor showing in the World Cup while Ireland climb to seventh after winning through to the semi-final qualifier in Australia.

Fiji edged out France and Papua New Guinea to go fourth on the strength of reaching the last four while Scotland are up to ninth after winning their first World Cup game.

Wales, who failed to qualify for the World Cup, will go into the end-of-season European Nations Cup in 12th position, one place behind Lebanon who will also be involved in that tournament.

European Federation chairman Richard Lewis said: "Last year's World Cup was a huge success for the growth of international rugby league and it is fantastic to see such a diverse number of nations now making up the rankings.

"Great progress is being made at all levels internationally and that good work is set to continue in 2009 with a number of exciting international tournaments planned."

Leading RLIF official world rankings: 1 Australia, 2 New Zealand, 3 England, 4 Fiji, 5 France, 6 PNG, 7 Ireland, 8 Tonga, 9 Scotland, 10 Samoa, 11 Lebanon, 12 Wales, 13 Russia, 14. Cook Islands, 15 USA, 16 Serbia, 17 Japan, 18 Italy, 19 Germany, 20 Czech Republic.