The Flying Fijians have climbed to 9th place in the latest World Rugby rankings, overtaking Australia. This change follows their impressive 41-17 victory against Japan in the Pacific Nations Cup final held in Osaka, Japan, last Saturday night.
Fiji also recorded victories against Samoa, Tonga, and the United States, showcasing a strong performance throughout the tournament that captured the attention of fans globally. Japan, coached by the renowned Eddie Jones, showed promise but could not overcome a resilient Fijian team led by Mick Byrne, who stressed the importance of nurturing young talent for the future.
Byrne noted the significance of the tournament, stating, “It’s a great opportunity for us in the PNC to select a good bunch of young players. We recognize the contributions of great senior players from the World Cup last year, and in the coming years, some will be replaced.”
This victory underscores Fiji’s potential, with Byrne emphasizing that many players are still at the beginning of their professional journeys. “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.
As a result of Fiji’s rise in the rankings, Australia falls to 10th place for the first time. Argentina has moved up to 6th, while South Africa occupies the second spot, leaving Ireland at the top of the rankings.