Pacific / Fiji

Sport: Fiji and Tonga up in rugby world rankings

11:48 am on 11 August 2015

Fiji and Tonga have leapfrogged Samoa in the international rugby rankings following the conclusion of the Pacific Nations Cup.

The Flying Fijians have moved up one place to ninth after beating Manu Samoa in last week's final.

The Fiji and Samoa teams pray after their Pacific Nations Cup title decider. Photo: World Rugby / Lorne Collicutt

Tonga's three-match winning streak to end the tournament has also seen them jump from 12th into the top ten, with Samoa slipping back two places to 11th.

Tonga came from behind to beat Canada 28-18 in the Pacific Nations Cup. Photo: Jeff Bell / World Rugby

In other notable moves, Ireland has climbed to their highest ever position of second after beating Wales in a World Cup warm-up match over the weekend.

That, coupled with South Africa's shock home defeat to Argentina was enough for the Irish to move up, with the Springboks dropping three places to fifth.

Australia's Rugby Championship victory over New Zealand also saw them rise two places to third, ahead of England.