Rugby-Fiji make compelling case for a place among rugby's elite

FILE PHOTO: Rugby Union - England v Fiji - World Cup Warm Up - Twickenham Stadium, London, Britain - August 26, 2023 Fiji players celebrate after the match Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Couldridge/File Photo

SAINT-ETIENNE (Reuters) - Fiji's convincing victory over the two-times world champions Wallabies on Sunday was the first big upset of the World Cup and further enhanced the case for the Pacific islanders to have a place at rugby's top table.

Already a Sevens superpower as champions of the first two Olympic tournaments, the Fijians have played seven tests this season and won five of them with the vanquished including former world champions England, Japan and now Australia.