The Flying Fijians have climbed to 9th place in the latest World Rugby rankings, surpassing Australia. This achievement follows their impressive 41-17 victory over Japan in the Pacific Nations Cup final held in Osaka, Japan, on Saturday night.
Fiji’s path to this ranking included wins over Samoa, Tonga, and the United States. The team’s success has garnered attention worldwide, drawing viewers across different time zones.
Japan, led by renowned coach Eddie Jones, made significant progress during the tournament but was ultimately outmatched by a resolute Fijian team guided by coach Mick Byrne. Byrne focused on nurturing young talent, noting the importance of preparing future players for the challenges ahead.
“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 from the previous World Cup but emphasized that new talent will be integrated over the coming years.
The victory solidifies Fiji’s potential, with Byrne pointing out that many of the squad members are still at the beginning of their professional careers. He expressed optimism for their future, saying, “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 pushes Australia down to 10th place for the first time, while Argentina moves up to 6th. South Africa now holds the second position, with Ireland reigning at the top of the standings.