Flying Fijians head coach Mick Byrne is exploring various combinations within his 28-member squad during the Pacific Nations Cup (PNC). In a conversation with SUNsports, Byrne noted that the interactions between the forwards and backs are continuously improving.
“With only 28 players, we have a smaller squad,” he remarked. “We have our backs and one or two additional backs, allowing us to experiment with different combinations without overextending our resources.”
Byrne acknowledged that the final combinations may evolve as the tournament progresses, emphasizing that the team is in constant development. “Everyone is getting a chance to play, and there are no players sitting out in this compact squad,” he said.
Looking ahead to the upcoming match against Tonga, scheduled for next Friday, Byrne is aware of the challenges that await. “Playing Fiji in Fiji or Samoa in Samoa is always a tough task. The support for home teams in the Pacific Islands is overwhelming,” he mentioned. “We expect a significant amount of pressure, but we need to stay focused on our goals, ignoring any distractions.”
The weekend’s matches are set to include Samoa facing Tonga today at 4 PM, followed by a match between the USA and Canada on Sunday at 1 PM. In recent results, Fiji triumphed over Samoa with a score of 42-16, while Canada faced a defeat of 28-55 against Japan.
As preparations continue, the Fiji team remains committed to enhancing their performance in the PNC.