The Flying Fijians have climbed to 9th place in the most recent World Rugby rankings, surpassing Australia. This change follows their impressive 41-17 victory over Japan in the Pacific Nations Cup final held in Osaka, Japan, last Saturday night.
Fiji also secured wins against Samoa, Tonga, and the United States, contributing to their rise after a series of thrilling test matches that captured a worldwide audience across various time zones. Japan, coached by the renowned Eddie Jones, had shown significant improvement in the tournament but could not overcome a focused Fijian team, led by Mick Byrne. Byrne emphasized the importance of nurturing young talent for the future.
Byrne commented on the opportunities presented by the tournament, stating, “It’s a great opportunity for us in the PNC to select a good bunch of young players.” He acknowledged the contributions of several experienced players during the previous World Cup, noting that they would eventually be replaced as new talent emerges.
The victory solidifies Fiji’s prospects, with Byrne pointing out that many squad members are still early in their professional journeys. He stressed, “The sooner we can get them in the test arena, the better it is for the future of the team and for Fiji Rugby.”
In the updated World Rankings, Fiji’s advancement relegates Australia to 10th position for the first time, while Argentina moves up to 6th place. South Africa holds the second spot, with Ireland leading the rankings.