Wales sink to all-time low in World Rugby rankings after Fiji beat Japan

Wales have fallen to 13th in the World Rugby rankings, their lowest-ever position, after Fiji’s Fijiana XV edged Japan 15-12 in Fukuoka on Friday to leapfrog Sean Lynn’s side in the standings.

The result lifted Fiji to a record-high 12th in the rankings, pushing Wales down one further place. It is the latest milestone in a difficult stretch for Wales, who have not won a Test match since defeating Australia 21-12 in Brisbane in July 2025. At Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 they went winless, finishing the tournament with a 28-25 defeat to Fiji, and earlier this year they claimed a third consecutive wooden spoon in the Guinness Women’s Six Nations.

In Fukuoka, Fiji were first to score when Ivamere Nabura crossed in the eighth minute. Further tries from Varanisese Qoro and Aqela Raitubu gave the Pacific Islanders enough of a cushion to hold on, despite a Japan side that showed resilience under new head coach Toshizumi Kitagawa. Nami Asari scored Japan’s opening try, converted by Maiko Nishi, before Asuka Kuge added a second in the 56th minute — but it was not enough to prevent the defeat.

Japan will next face Italy and Ireland in WXV Global Series fixtures in September. Fiji, meanwhile, will compete in the WXV Global Series Challenger against Spain, Hong Kong China and the Netherlands.

Elsewhere in international women’s rugby, the World Rugby rankings saw no movement at the top end after New Zealand’s Black Ferns registered a commanding 52-20 win over the Springbok Women at FNB Stadium in Soweto. A victory by 15 or more points would have moved South Africa up to sixth; a win of any margin would have taken them to seventh. Instead, the Black Ferns ran in tries from Elinor-Plum King, Braxton Sorensen-McGee, Chryss Viliko, Maia Joseph, Amarante Sititi and Maama Mo’onia Vaipulu to seal a comprehensive result and leave the rankings unchanged for both sides.