The Flying Fijians have climbed to 9th place in the latest World Rugby rankings, surpassing Australia. This advancement follows their impressive 41-17 victory against Japan in the Pacific Nations Cup final held in Osaka last Saturday.
In addition to Japan, Fiji also secured wins against Samoa, Tonga, and the United States, showcasing a series of thrilling test matches that attracted a global audience.
Japan, coached by the renowned Eddie Jones, made commendable progress during the tournament but ultimately could not overcome the resilient Fijian team, led by coach Mick Byrne. Byrne stressed the importance of nurturing young talent for the future of the sport.
Byrne commented on the tournament’s promise, stating, “It’s a great opportunity for us in the PNC to select a good bunch of young players. We know there were some great senior players that did a good job during the World Cup last year, and over the course of the next few years, some of those players will be replaced.”
The victory reinforces Fiji’s potential, with Byrne noting that many squad members are in the early stages 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 added.
As for the latest World Rankings, Fiji’s rise pushes Australia down to 10th place for the first time, while Argentina climbs to 6th. South Africa holds the second position, with Ireland leading the standings.