The Flying Fijians have climbed to ninth place in the current World Rugby rankings, overtaking Australia. This advancement follows their impressive 41-17 victory over Japan in the Pacific Nations Cup grand final held in Osaka last Saturday night.
Fiji’s success is attributed to their victories against other teams, including Samoa, Tonga, and the United States. This notable rise in rank comes after a series of thrilling test matches that drew a global audience across different time zones.
Under the guidance of renowned coach Eddie Jones, Japan also made considerable progress throughout the tournament but could not compete with the determined Fijian team, led by coach Mick Byrne. Byrne noted the significance of the tournament in fostering young talent for future success.
“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 the last World Cup and mentioned that some will eventually be replaced in the coming years.
Byrne emphasized Fiji’s potential, saying 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 remarked.
Fiji’s new position in the World Rankings decreases Australia to tenth for the first time, while Argentina has moved up to sixth place. South Africa now holds second place, and Ireland remains at the top of the rankings.