In the latest World Rankings, Fiji’s rise pushes Australia to 10th position for the first time, while Argentina climbs to 6th. South Africa now sits in second place, leaving Ireland at the top of the standings.
Flying Fijians celebrate as they hoist the Pacific Nations Cup on Saturday after defeating Japan 41-17 in the final. Photo: AFP
The Flying Fijians have moved to 9th place in the latest World Rugby rankings followed by Australia.
This was after their remarkable 41-17 win over Japan in the Pacific Nations Cup grand-final in Osaka, Japan, last Saturday night.
The Fijians had also beaten Samoa, Tonga and United States of America. This remarkable shift comes after a series of exciting test matches that captivated a global audience across various time zones.
Japan, under the leadership of legendary coach Eddie Jones, had also made significant strides in the tournament. However, they fell short against a determined Fijian side, coached by Mick Byrne, who emphasised the importance of developing young talents for the future.
Byrne remarked on the opportunity presented by the tournament: “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 cements Fiji’s potential, with Byrne highlighting that many of the squad members are still in the early stages 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 added.
In the latest World Rankings, Fiji’s rise pushes Australia to 10th position for the first time, while Argentina climbs to 6th. South Africa now sits in second place, leaving Ireland at the top of the standings.
Feedback: leonec@fijisun.com.fj
