The Flying Fijians have ascended to 9th place in the most recent World Rugby rankings, surpassing Australia. This achievement followed their impressive 41-17 victory over Japan in the Pacific Nations Cup final held in Osaka on Saturday night.
In addition to the win against Japan, Fiji also secured victories against Samoa, Tonga, and the United States, reflecting a series of thrilling matches that engaged audiences worldwide across various time zones.
Japan, guided by renowned coach Eddie Jones, made notable progress in the tournament but was unable to overcome the resolute Fijian team, led by coach Mick Byrne, who stressed the significance of nurturing young talents for the future.
Byrne commented on the opportunities presented by the tournament, stating, “It’s a great opportunity for us in the PNC to select a good bunch of young players. 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 promising future, as Byrne noted that many squad members are still in the early phases of their professional careers. He remarked, “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 latest World Rankings, Fiji’s rise has pushed Australia to 10th position for the first time, while Argentina has moved up to 6th. South Africa now holds the second position, with Ireland leading the rankings.