The Flying Fijians have surged to 9th place in the latest World Rugby rankings, just behind Australia. This achievement follows their impressive 41-17 victory over Japan in the Pacific Nations Cup final held in Osaka last Saturday night.
In addition to their win against Japan, Fiji had previously triumphed over Samoa, Tonga, and the United States. This notable ranking shift is attributed to a series of thrilling test matches that garnered attention from fans around the globe.
Japan, coached by the renowned Eddie Jones, made significant progress in the tournament but could not overcome the formidable Fijian team, led by coach Mick Byrne. Byrne emphasized the importance of nurturing young talent for the team’s 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 during last year’s World Cup but noted that some would be phased out in the coming years.
The victory highlights the potential of Fiji’s squad, with Byrne pointing out that many players are still in the early stages of their 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 added.
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 at the top of the rankings.