The Flying Fijians have ascended to 9th place in the most recent World Rugby rankings, moving ahead of Australia. This change follows their impressive 41-17 victory over Japan in the Pacific Nations Cup grand final held in Osaka, Japan, last Saturday night.
Fiji also secured victories against Samoa, Tonga, and the United States during the tournament. This significant ranking change comes after a series of thrilling test matches that engaged fans around the world across different time zones.
Japan, coached by the renowned Eddie Jones, had shown notable improvement in the tournament but could not match the determination of the Fijian team, helmed by Mick Byrne. Byrne stressed the importance of nurturing young talents for the future.
“It’s a great opportunity for us in the PNC to select a good bunch of young players,” Byrne stated. “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 players in the squad are still at the beginning 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.
In the updated World Rankings, Fiji’s rise pushes Australia into 10th position for the first time, while Argentina ascends to 6th place. South Africa now ranks second, with Ireland maintaining the top position.