The Vodafone Fiji Bati team has dropped one spot in the latest International Rugby League (IRL) world rankings released yesterday. They have been overtaken by Papua New Guinea, which has ascended from seventh to sixth place after winning the Pacific Bowl Championship consecutively for two years.
Head coach Waisea Kativerata sees this shift as an opportunity for growth and preparation ahead of the 2026 Rugby League World Cup. While the ranking isn’t the team’s highest, it reflects their efforts and performances at the Pacific Bowl Championship, distinguishing them above teams such as France, Cook Islands, Serbia, Netherlands, and Wales.
In a positive development, the Fijian women’s rugby league team, the Bulikula, has made a remarkable leap, moving from 26th to 16th in the rankings. Head coach Joe Rabele expressed pride in this achievement, noting that the Bulikula now ranks higher than countries like Nigeria, Kenya, and the Philippines. He has aspirations for the team to break into the top ten in the coming year.
Australia continues to dominate in both the men’s and women’s categories after their successful Pacific Cup campaigns, while England holds the top spot in the wheelchair rugby division. Other notable movements in the rankings include Fetu Samoa’s significant rise in the women’s standings following their Pacific Championships success, and Tonga returning to the top four among men’s teams. New Zealand has also made its debut in the wheelchair rankings.
This shift in rankings represents not just challenges for Fiji but also a clear path for improvement and aspirations for greater achievements in the future.
In summary, while the Fiji Bati team may have slipped in the rankings, the overall performance and potential of the Fijian rugby league teams showcase a bright outlook for future competitions. With dedicated coaching and talent, both the men’s and women’s teams are set for exciting updates on the global stage.
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