The Flying Fijians have ascended to 9th place in the latest World Rugby rankings, surpassing Australia. This improvement follows their impressive 41-17 victory over Japan in the Pacific Nations Cup final held in Osaka last Saturday night.
Fiji also triumphed over Samoa, Tonga, and the United States during the tournament. This change in rankings is a result of a series of thrilling test matches that engaged a worldwide audience.
Japan, guided by the renowned coach Eddie Jones, showed progress in the tournament but could not overcome the strong Fijian team, which is coached by Mick Byrne. Byrne emphasized the importance of nurturing young talent for the future.
“It’s a great opportunity for us in the PNC to select a good bunch of young players,” Byrne stated. He acknowledged the contributions of experienced players from the previous World Cup but noted that some will eventually be phased out over the next few years.
The victory solidifies Fiji’s potential, with Byrne pointing out that many squad members are still early in their professional careers. “The sooner we can get them in the test arena, the better it is for the future of the team and for Fiji Rugby,” he remarked.
In the updated 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 maintaining the top spot.