FIJI Water Flying Fijians head coach Mick Byrne is considering positional adjustments as the team grooms for the 2024 Pacific Nations Cup (PNC) campaign.
Byrne has included four locks in his 30-member squad and confirmed that two players, Isoa Nasilasila and Mesake Vocevoce, have the ability to also play in the number six position.
“We selected four locks, and Mesake Vocevoce and Isoa Nasilasila have demonstrated their capability at number six. If there’s an opportunity, they can be utilized in that role,” Byrne commented. “This arrangement provides us with significant flexibility, and we are fortunate to have athletic players in this team.”
Half-back Simione Kuruvoli and hooker Zuriel Togiatama will miss the PNC campaign due to family obligations. “Togiatama has family matters to attend to in Auckland, while Kuruvoli deserves a break after the 2023 Rugby World Cup and is spending time with his family,” the head coach added.
With the PNC schedule featuring only one home game and the remainder as away matches, Byrne expressed that it is not an issue. “The schedule works in our favor as we play Samoa on August 23, and then we have a bye the following week which allows us time to recover and engage in solid training before heading to Tonga,” Byrne mentioned.
“It becomes quite busy afterward with our flight to Japan, so all coaches have collaborated to outline our schedule,” he noted.
The Flying Fijians have commenced their training camp in Suva over the weekend and are set to clash with Samoa this Friday at 6 pm at the HFC Bank Stadium in Suva.