The FIJI Water Flying Fijians have ascended to ninth in the World Rugby rankings after a convincing 41-17 win against Japan in the Asahi Super Dry Pacific Nations Cup final. This significant rise comes on the heels of a series of thrilling test matches that captivated a worldwide audience.
Fiji finished the pool stage as leaders of Pool A, having triumphed over strong competitors such as Samoa in Suva and Tonga in Nuku’alofa. In the semifinals, they faced a tough challenge from the USA but demonstrated their strength by pulling ahead in the final moments to secure their place in the championship match against the host nation.
Japan, guided by renowned coach Eddie Jones, also made notable progress in the tournament. However, they could not keep pace with the determined Fijian team, led by coach Mick Byrne, who emphasized nurturing young talent for the future.
With Fiji’s ascent, Australia drops to 10th place for the first time, while Argentina moves up to 6th. South Africa now occupies the 2nd spot, with Ireland remaining at the top of the ranks.