Bati is ranked above countries including France, Cook Islands, Serbia, Netherlands and Wales.
Vodafone Fiji Bati’s Kurt Donoghoe looks for support during their Pacific Bowl Championship clash against Papua New Guinea Kumuls at the HFC Bank Stadium, Suva on October 19, 2024. Photo: Josua Buredua
The Vodafone Fiji Bati team has moved a place down on the International Rugby League (IRL) world ranking that was released yesterday.
The Bati have traded position with Papua New Guinea who has climbed from seventh to six place after winning the Pacific Bowl Championship two years in a row.
Head coach Waisea Kativerata said this would be a great build up for the 2026 Rugby League World Cup.
While it was not their best ranking, it showed that the team has been rewarded with their performance at the Pacific Bowl Championship.
Bati is ranked above countries including France, Cook Islands, Serbia, Netherlands and Wales.
Meanwhile, Bulikula head coach Joe Rabele applauded his side moving up ten places on the table.
The Bulikula moved from 26th to 16.
Rabele said it was great to see the Fijian women ranked higher than countries including Nigeria, Kenya and the Philippines.
He hopes the Bulikula will improve their ranking to top ten next year.
Australia remains first in the men’s and women’s rankings following their Pacific Cup victories, while England are still the top wheelchair team.
Other highlights included Fetu Samoa who have skyrocketed up the women’s IRL World Rankings after their successful Pacific Championships campaign, while Tonga have moved back into the top four men’s teams and New Zealand feature for their first time in the wheelchair rankings.
Feedback: sereana.salalo@fijisun.com.fj
