Flying Fijians captain Tevita Ikanivere anticipates a challenging physical showdown with Samoa in the Asahi Dry Pacific Nations Cup opener at HFC Bank Stadium this Friday.
Ikanivere acknowledges that past encounters have been intense, stating, “Playing them for the past few years, I know it will be a big physical battle.” He underscores the importance of not losing on home ground, particularly after the Flying Fijians’ 33-19 victory over Samoa in Apia during last year’s PNC campaign.
Having secured a win on Samoan territory last year while preparing for the World Cup, Ikanivere believes Samoa will be motivated to seek revenge in Suva. He expresses confidence in the team’s preparations, saying, “I think we will be ready for them.”
Head coach Mick Byrne emphasizes the need for players to fully embrace their game plan. He aims for the team to play exciting rugby that makes fans proud. Byrne notes that the match showcases Pacific rugby and ensures that every player performs at their best.
Despite Fiji having only one home game in the series, Byrne is confident about the team’s recovery and management strategies. “The schedule has worked in our favor. We play Samoa this week and then we have a bye, which allows us to recover,” he explains.
Byrne highlights the importance of managing player fatigue due to travel commitments, aiming to minimize its impact on player performance. The Flying Fijians will face Samoa at 6 PM.