The FIJI Water Flying Fijians will gather this Saturday for camp as they begin preparations for the Pacific Nations Cup. Inductions and administrative duties will fill the weekend, before the squad hits the training paddock on Monday.
Head coach Mick Byrne says the scheduling this year, with a first-round bye, provides an ideal two-week window to sharpen the team’s game plan and fitness for the campaign. “The bye gives us a good two-week preparation into the campaign,” Byrne noted, adding that they’ll use that time to build combinations and fine-tune their approach.
The extra preparation period will also allow the team to focus on strengthening game plans and conditioning ahead of their first match. Byrne explained, “We’ll be able to do some solid work in that first week of training, and then we go into game week the following week.”
The Flying Fijians’ 2025 PNC campaign will kick off with a meeting against Tonga on August 30 at the HFC Bank Stadium in Suva.
The bye week is seen as a valuable opportunity to align both local and overseas-based players, giving those travelling from abroad a chance to arrive and integrate with the squad. This broader preparation is expected to help Fiji build readiness and team cohesion as they aim for a strong start in the tournament.
Summary: Fiji uses the bye to maximize preparation, integrates overseas-based players, and tunes up for the opener against Tonga in Suva.
Additional note: The extended camp signals a deliberate approach to building combinations and fitness, with an eye toward a successful Pacific Nations Cup showing.
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