After a thrilling 50-19 win against Tonga in the Pacific Nations Cup, Fiji’s captain Tevita Ikanivere and coach Mick Byrne shared their thoughts on the team’s performance and the key moments of the match. Captain Ikanivere, who was awarded Man of the Match, emphasized the importance of mid-game conversations that helped shift momentum in Fiji’s favor.
“We talked about our discipline. We allowed Tonga to gain momentum towards the end of the first half. With a strong team like Tonga, giving them any space can be detrimental. Our main goal was to uphold our discipline and control the game, which we successfully did in the second half,” Ikanivere stated.
Coach Mick Byrne highlighted the team’s ongoing development, especially for players in their third year of professional rugby.
“There is significant growth within this team. Many players are entering their third year in the professional arena and are learning more about themselves. Today’s match served as another lesson for them — they must keep pushing and remain focused,” Byrne explained.