The Flying Fijians have ascended to 9th place in the latest World Rugby rankings, trailing Australia. This rise follows their impressive 41-17 victory over Japan in the Pacific Nations Cup final held in Osaka, Japan, on Saturday night.
Fiji had earlier secured wins against Samoa, Tonga, and the United States, showcasing their strength in a series of thrilling test matches that attracted a global audience.
Japan, led by renowned coach Eddie Jones, made commendable progress in the tournament but ultimately fell short against a resilient Fijian team, coached by Mick Byrne. Byrne emphasized the significance of nurturing young talent for the future of Fiji Rugby.
“It’s a great opportunity for us in the PNC to select a good bunch of young players,” Byrne stated. “We know there were some great senior players that did a good job during the World Cup last year, and over the next few years, some of those players will be replaced.”
This victory reinforces Fiji’s potential, with Byrne noting that many squad members are still at the beginning of 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.
The latest World Rankings reflect Fiji’s progress, pushing Australia to 10th place for the first time. Meanwhile, Argentina has climbed to 6th, with South Africa holding the second spot and Ireland leading the standings.