The Vodafone Fiji Bati rugby league team has dropped one spot in the latest International Rugby League (IRL) world rankings, released recently. They have now been surpassed by Papua New Guinea, which has moved up from seventh to sixth place after securing back-to-back victories at the Pacific Bowl Championship.
Head coach Waisea Kativerata mentioned that while this ranking does not represent their peak performance, it acknowledges the team’s achievements at the Pacific Bowl Championship. Currently, the Fiji Bati ranks above several nations, including France, Cook Islands, Serbia, Netherlands, and Wales.
In a positive turn, the Fijian women’s team, known as Bulikula, has made significant strides by climbing ten spots in the rankings, moving from 26th to 16th. Head coach Joe Rabele celebrated this improvement, highlighting that the team now ranks higher than countries like Nigeria, Kenya, and the Philippines. He expressed optimism about the Bulikula’s potential to crack the top ten in the coming year.
Australia continues to dominate the IRL rankings, holding the top positions for both men’s and women’s teams, thanks to their recent Pacific Cup wins. Additionally, England remains the leading team in wheelchair rugby, while Fetu Samoa has seen a remarkable rise in the women’s rankings after a successful performance in the Pacific Championships. Tonga has also re-entered the top four in the men’s rankings, and New Zealand has made its debut in the wheelchair rankings.
Overall, while the Fiji Bati has experienced a slight decline, both teams are showing promise and capability as they prepare for future competitions and aim to improve their standings on the international stage. The upcoming development and potential for growth in Fijian rugby league highlight an optimistic future for the sport in the nation.
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