The Flying Fijians have ascended to 9th place in the latest World Rugby rankings, now positioned just behind Australia. This advancement follows their impressive 41-17 victory over Japan in the grand final of the Pacific Nations Cup held in Osaka, Japan, last Saturday night.
In addition to their victory against Japan, Fiji also secured wins over Samoa, Tonga, and the United States. This significant improvement comes on the heels of several thrilling test matches that attracted a worldwide audience across different time zones.
Japan, under the guidance of renowned coach Eddie Jones, made notable progress during the tournament but could not overcome a resilient Fijian team, coached by Mick Byrne. Byrne has placed great emphasis on nurturing young talents for the future of the sport.
Reflecting on the tournament, Byrne stated, “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.”
This victory reinforces Fiji’s potential, with Byrne indicating that many players are still at the beginning of their professional careers. He noted, “The sooner we can get them in the test arena, the better it is for the future of the team and for Fiji Rugby.”
With the updated rankings, Fiji’s rise has relegated Australia to 10th place for the first time, while Argentina moves up to 6th. South Africa is now in second place, and Ireland continues to hold the top position in the standings.