The Fiji Bati rugby league team has dropped one spot in the International Rugby League (IRL) world rankings, according to the latest release. This change occurred after Papua New Guinea ascended from seventh to sixth place, due to their consecutive victories at the Pacific Bowl Championship.
Head coach Waisea Kativerata expressed optimism about this development, seeing it as a stepping stone toward the 2026 Rugby League World Cup. He noted that while the team’s current ranking is not their highest, it still reflects the positive outcomes of their recent performances.
The Fiji Bati team remains positioned above several nations, including France, Cook Islands, Serbia, Netherlands, and Wales.
In a positive turn of events, the Bulikula women’s rugby league team has made significant progress, climbing ten ranks to reach 16th place. Coach Joe Rabele commended his team’s achievement, noting that they are now rated higher than teams like Nigeria, Kenya, and the Philippines. Rabele remains hopeful that the Bulikula can break into the top ten in the upcoming year.
Australia continues to hold the top ranking in both men’s and women’s categories following their Pacific Cup triumphs, and England maintains its position at the top of the wheelchair team rankings. Additionally, Fetu Samoa has notably risen in the women’s IRL World Rankings, and Tonga has re-entered the top four for men’s teams, while New Zealand makes its debut in the wheelchair rankings.
This update brings an encouraging perspective on the growth and competitiveness of rugby league in Fiji and the broader region, highlighting a commitment to improvement that fans and players alike can celebrate.
Summary: The Fiji Bati rugby league team has fallen to seventh in the IRL rankings, while the women’s Bulikula team has risen to 16th. Coaches express optimism for future improvements, with positive trends noted across various teams in the region. Australia remains dominant in the rankings for both men’s and women’s teams.
Leave a comment