Making history: Georgia now ranked 11th in world rugby classification
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Georgia is now the 11th best rugby nation in the world.
World Rugby has today increased Georgia’s international ranking from 12 to 11 after the Lelo’s successful three-game tour of the Pacific Islands.
The new ranking is historic as it’s the highest world ranking Georgia has ever held.
The World Rugby international ranking reflected the current form and overall level of rugby nations across the world.
By climbing to 11th spot, Georgia overtook Japan – last year’s Rugby World Cup sensation who lost a home test to Scotland on June 18 and lost 0.94 ranking points as a result.
This, combined with Georgia gaining 1.66 points for defeating Fiji during the team’s recent tour of the Pacific Islands, saw the Lelos jump one spot higher on the international ranking list.
Now Georgia ranked one spot behind 10th place Fiji.
The 'Lelos' drew their opening match of the Pacific tour with Samoa on June 11. Photo from Renee Mckay/SRU.
Georgia's success comes days after the country's first ever tour of friendly test matches against Samoa, Tonga and Fiji. The tri-series, held over the past two weeks, saw Georgia emerge unbeaten after one draw and two wins.
This result earned reaction from World Rugby – the sport’s governing body – who noted Georgia’s improving efforts when it updated its world rankings on the official website.
Not many sides keep Fiji try-less but Georgia did just that as they finished their first ever Pacific islands tour unbeaten," said World Rugby commentators.
Samoa, Tonga and Fiji are all ranked among the top 15 in the world. Georgia’s success playing against these three teams has given claim to Georgia’s calls for regular fixtures against the world's top tier teams.
It's been a great achievement to leave Fiji an undefeated team and this will give us great confidence to be able to keep progressing our rugby further in the coming months," said Georgia’s coach Milton Haig while commenting on the results of the tour.
See the full World Rugby rankings here.
Georgia's national rugby team will return home unbeaten after ending a three game tour of friendly test matches in the Pacific Islands with a win against Fiji.
Georgia has improved its world rating and is now the 13th best rugby nation in the world and above Italy who plays in the prestigious Six Nations.
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