Fiji’s head coach Mick Byrne expressed enthusiasm regarding the team’s draw for the 2027 Rugby World Cup, which places them in Pool C alongside Argentina, Canada, and Spain. The announcement, made on Wednesday night, comes as a thrilling moment for the Flying Fijians, presenting them with a clear picture of the teams they will face as they prepare for the tournament.
Byrne stated that this pool provides a timely opportunity for the team to commence their preparations. “It’s an exciting pool for us and it’s a great opportunity for us to prepare now that we know where things sit,” he remarked during a virtual press conference. The draw has reignited conversations within Fiji’s rugby community, particularly regarding their long-awaited encounter with Argentina, whom the Flying Fijians last played on August 18, 2003, ultimately losing 30-49.
Byrne views the inclusion of Los Pumas as a significant opportunity, highlighting, “Argentina is a good team for us. It’s a great opportunity to play against another team that likes to play rugby.” His appreciation extends to how Argentina has performed since joining the Rugby Championship, noting their commendable games.
The coach found the draw to be well-organized and insightful, remarking on the placement of teams. He noted, “Watching the draw last night, it was interesting to see where everyone fell and ironically, Spain and Canada, who we’ve been playing a little bit over the last couple of years, are there.”
Fiji’s recent encounters with both Spain and Canada have resulted in victories, with their last friendly against Spain ending with a score of 41-33 and a decisive win against Canada at 63-10 during the Pacific Nations Cup in September. These previous meetings have allowed the team to track the progress and improvements of their opponents.
The Rugby World Cup is set to commence in Australia in September 2027. As the Flying Fijians look ahead, there is a palpable sense of optimism and eagerness to prepare for what promises to be compelling matchups in the pool stages.
Leave a comment