The FIJI Water Flying Fijians have made a notable comeback, reclaiming the ninth position in the World Rugby rankings following their impressive 24-19 victory over Wales in Cardiff. Just a week prior, the team had slipped to tenth after suffering a heavy loss to Scotland.
In the current rankings, South Africa has regained its top position, courtesy of a commanding 32-15 victory over Scotland in the Autumn Nations Series. Ireland’s recent 13-23 defeat to New Zealand resulted in them losing their number one ranking, thereby allowing South Africa to rise to the forefront. With this win, New Zealand ended Ireland’s remarkable 19-game home winning streak, which also contributed to Andy Farrell’s team dropping two places in the rankings, while the All Blacks moved up to second place.
The Springboks capitalized on Ireland’s loss with a significant 17-point victory against Scotland, widening their gap over New Zealand to 1.25 rating points. Meanwhile, France secured a 52-12 victory over Japan, yet this did not affect their standing as they remained in fourth place.
Argentina’s dominant 50-18 win over Italy, alongside Australia’s victory against England, propelled Argentina to fifth place. Despite losing to South Africa, Scotland managed to rise to sixth, while England dropped from fifth to seventh—marking their lowest ranking in eight years. Italy fell from eighth to tenth, making way for the Fijians to step into ninth place as Australia took the fifth spot.
This uplifting performance from the Flying Fijians reflects the team’s resilience and determination, and it sets a positive tone for their future matches. Their climb back up the rankings is a testament to the potential and skill within Fijian rugby, inspiring hope for continued success in the international arena.
Overall, the shift in rankings not only showcases individual team achievements but also adds excitement to the upcoming fixtures in world rugby, as teams strive for higher positions.
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