Fiji Bati ranked 6th, eyes 3rd spot
19-Jul-2008 10:30 AM
THE Vodafone Fiji Bati side is ranked sixth in the world in the latest ranking released by International Rugby League Federation.
In addition, this is good news according to Bati head coach Josaia Rabele who said the ranking was the result of the hard work put by the national side.
This is very good, the last time we checked, we were 7th and a notch up means that we must be doing something good here in Fiji and the international arena, he said.
The last match that the Bati played was their 26-22 wins over the touring Australian Affiliated States team.
Australia remains in the top spot with 4.78 points ahead of New Zealand who sits at second with a points ranking of 3.35.
Northern Hemisphere giants England sit at third spot. 0.05 points behind the New Zealand Warriors.
Tonga (3.03) is the highest ranked Pacific team sitting at 4th place followed by France on fifth with 2.90 points.
Fiji has 2.87 points and another Test match win should see them displace France from the top five.
Further, down the ranking see Papua New Guinea, Lebanon, Ireland and Wales.
Though PNG are at seventh they are only 0.02 points adrift of Fiji while Lebanon has 2.60points.
Ireland lies at ninth spot with 2.35 and Wales round off the top ten spots with 2.30points.
Rabele said the Bati would try to improve their rankings at the Rugby League World Cup later this year and hope to return ranked third.
