The Flying Fijians have ascended to 9th place in the latest World Rugby rankings, leapfrogging Australia. This advancement followed their impressive 41-17 victory over Japan in the Pacific Nations Cup final held in Osaka last Saturday.
Fiji had also secured wins against Samoa, Tonga, and the United States, contributing to a notable rise after a series of thrilling test matches that captured worldwide attention. Japan, coached by the esteemed Eddie Jones, showed growth during the tournament but could not match the intensity of the Fijian team, which is guided by Mick Byrne. Byrne has stressed the importance of nurturing young talent for the future.
Byrne commented on the tournament’s potential, saying, “It’s a great opportunity for us in the PNC to select a good bunch of young players. We recognize that some excellent senior players performed well during the World Cup last year, and in the coming years, some of them will be phased out.”
Fiji’s triumph further establishes their potential, with Byrne noting that many of the players are still early in their professional journeys. “The sooner we can get them into the test arena, the better it will be for the future of the team and Fiji Rugby,” he stated.
As for the latest World Rankings, Fiji’s rise has pushed Australia down to 10th place for the first time, while Argentina has moved up to 6th. South Africa now holds the second position, with Ireland sitting atop the rankings.