Flying Fijians head coach Mick Byrne is experimenting with different team combinations during the Pacific Nations Cup (PNC) with his 28-player squad. Byrne remarked that the forwards and backs are consistently developing their synergy in practice.
“It’s a small squad,” he noted, “28 players isn’t a large number. Our backs have some flexibility, allowing them to participate in various combinations without depleting our roster.”
While Byrne is unsure of the specific team dynamics that will emerge as the tournament progresses, he emphasized that the team is still in the process of refining their strategy. “Everyone is getting the opportunity to play; no one is left on the sidelines as we navigate the small team size.”
Byrne anticipates a significant challenge when the Flying Fijians face Tonga next Friday. He compared the experience of playing Tonga to competing against other Pacific nations, stating, “We understand the passionate support for home teams in the Pacific Islands. The atmosphere will be intense.”
He highlighted the importance of maintaining focus amid external pressures, urging his team to concentrate on their objectives during the match. “The noise from the crowd will just be background,” he concluded, adding that the pressure is something the team looks forward to, as they also experience similar scenarios when hosting opponents.
In other news, Tongan prop Ben Tameifuna will captain his team in their PNC opener against Samoa in Apia, marking a crucial match for both sides.
This Weekend:
Today: 4 PM Samoa vs Tonga
Sunday: 1 PM USA vs Canada
Recent Results:
Fiji 42-16 Samoa, Canada 28-55 Japan