The FIJI Water Flying Fijians have hit ninth place on the World Rugby rankings for the first time in more than 15 years – just days out from the Rugby World Cup.
The move from 10th place over the weekend follows Wales’s 19-17 defeat to England at Twickenham in the Summer Nations Series on Sunday morning.
The teams have traded positions in the rankings with Fiji the higher ranked of the two teams.
The last time Fiji was ranked ninth was on June 16, 2008.
The side dropped one place following the 7-11 loss to the New Zealand Maori during the Pacific Nations Cup.
For the first time since January 2008, Wales are below Fiji in the rankings.
The Dragons’ rating dropped by 0.51 points to 78.67 points following their loss to England, leaving them three-hundredths of a point behind Fiji.
Fiji and Wales are in Pool C of RWC and face-off on September 11 in Bordeaux, France.
The changes in ranking add further spice to an already tasty-looking Pool C as four of the teams – Australia, Fiji, Wales and Georgia – are next to each other in the rankings in positions eight to 11.
Georgia recorded their biggest win and highest score in 25 years of playing Romania with a 56-6 win in Tbilisi.
Fiji’s other Pool C opponent Portugal also came out with a win, beating the US Eagles 46-20 at home. Portugal remain in 16th place as a result of the win.
