The Vodafone Fiji Bati team has slipped one position in the latest International Rugby League (IRL) world rankings, as released recently. The team has exchanged places with Papua New Guinea, which has moved up from seventh to sixth position following their back-to-back victories in the Pacific Bowl Championship.
Head coach Waisea Kativerata remarked that while their current ranking may not reflect their best performance, it is a testament to the hard work put in by the team during the Pacific Bowl Championship. The Fiji Bati is still ranked higher than several countries, including France, Cook Islands, Serbia, Netherlands, and Wales.
In another positive development, the Bulikula women’s team has made impressive strides, climbing ten positions from 26th to 16th in the rankings. Head coach Joe Rabele expressed pride in seeing the Fijian women surpass nations such as Nigeria, Kenya, and the Philippines. He expressed hope that the Bulikula could break into the top ten in the coming year.
Australia continues to hold the top spots in both men’s and women’s categories following their victories in the Pacific Cup, while England leads in the wheelchair rankings. Other noteworthy movements include Fetu Samoa’s significant rise in the women’s IRL World Rankings due to their successful run in the Pacific Championships, and Tonga’s return to the top four among men’s teams. Furthermore, New Zealand has made an appearance in the wheelchair rankings for the first time.
This recent shift in rankings reflects the growing competitiveness of international rugby league, providing a promising landscape for future tournaments. There is much optimism for both the Fiji Bati and the Bulikula, as their performances lay a strong foundation for upcoming competitions, particularly the 2026 Rugby League World Cup.
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