The Vodafone Fiji Bati rugby league team has slipped one spot in the latest International Rugby League (IRL) world rankings released recently. They now hold seventh place, having been surpassed by Papua New Guinea, who climbed to sixth after clinching the prestigious Pacific Bowl Championship for the second consecutive year.
Despite the drop in ranking, head coach Waisea Kativerata views this as an opportunity to build momentum leading up to the 2026 Rugby League World Cup. While this current position may not be ideal, it reflects the team’s recent performances at the Pacific Bowl Championship.
The Fiji Bati still ranks higher than several nations, including France, Cook Islands, Serbia, Netherlands, and Wales, showcasing their competitive spirit.
On another note, the women’s team, known as the Bulikula, has made significant strides, moving up ten places to settle at 16th in the world rankings. Head coach Joe Rabele expressed pride in this achievement, noting that the Bulikula is now ranked above teams from Nigeria, Kenya, and the Philippines. Rabele is optimistic about further advancing the team’s ranking into the top ten in the upcoming year.
In the men’s and women’s categories, Australia continues to dominate, ranked first after their recent victories in the Pacific Cup, while England leads in the wheelchair category. Additionally, Fetu Samoa has seen a remarkable rise in the women’s rankings, and Tonga has made a resurgence into the top four for men’s teams. New Zealand is also appearing in the wheelchair rankings for the first time.
This encouraging narrative of advancement within Fiji’s rugby teams highlights their dedication and potential for future success on the international stage.
In summary, while the Fiji Bati’s ranking has seen a slight decline, the journey ahead looks promising with a strong focus on improvement and preparation for future competitions.
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