Fiji Water Flying Fijians coach Mick Byrne expressed pride in his team’s performance and resilience following their semi-final victory against the USA, which secured their spot in the Pacific Nations Cup final.
Despite a challenging start to the match, Byrne praised his players for their patience and continuous development throughout the game. He acknowledged the physical play and pressure exerted by the USA team but emphasized the Flying Fijians’ ability to withstand the challenges and ultimately prevail.
“I thought we were poor at the start, but credit to the USA; they came out to play, were physical, and put us under a lot of pressure,” Byrne stated. “I know for a fact that we stayed in the game, remained patient, and continued to enhance our performance, although we did give away some easy possession.”
Elia Canakaivata, the Flying Fijians’ number eight, earned the player of the match title for his exceptional effort, scoring two vital tries that aided the team’s success. Canakaivata acknowledged the important role the fans played in the victory and expressed gratitude to the Lord Almighty for his blessings and protection, attributing his achievements to divine support.
The Fiji Water Flying Fijians are set to face the host nation Japan in the Pacific Nations Cup final, scheduled for Saturday at 10:05 p.m. Fiji enters the match as the defending champion.