The Vodafone Fiji Bati rugby league team has experienced a slight dip in the International Rugby League (IRL) rankings, dropping one position to seventh place. This change comes as Papua New Guinea has ascended from seventh to sixth after clinching the Pacific Bowl Championship for the second consecutive year. Head coach Waisea Kativerata acknowledged that while the Bati’s current ranking may not be the best, it reflects the team’s commendable performance at the Pacific Bowl Championship. The Bati still holds a higher ranking than several nations, including France, Cook Islands, Serbia, Netherlands, and Wales.
On a positive note, the Bulikula women’s rugby league team has made a significant leap in the rankings, moving up ten spots from 26th to 16th. Head coach Joe Rabele expressed pride in seeing the Fijian women surpass teams like Nigeria, Kenya, and the Philippines, and he remains optimistic about breaking into the top ten in the next year.
In the overall standings, Australia retains its top position in both the men’s and women’s rankings following their victories in the Pacific Cup, while England continues to lead the wheelchair rugby standings. Additionally, Fetu Samoa has seen a dramatic rise in the women’s IRL rankings stemming from their successful Pacific Championships, and Tonga has reentered the top four in the men’s category, with New Zealand making its debut in the wheelchair rankings.
This news underscores the growing competition and talent in rugby league, particularly in the Pacific region, and offers a hopeful outlook for teams aiming to improve their standings in upcoming tournaments.
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