Fiji Water Flying Fijians head coach Mick Byrne has highlighted the necessity of maintaining focus and intensity during their bye week as they prepare for their upcoming Pacific Nations Cup match against Tonga. The match is scheduled to take place on September 6 at Teufaiva Stadium in Nuku’alofa, Tonga, and Byrne underlines the importance of thorough preparation for success.
Byrne stated, “In a bye week, it’s crucial that we keep that focus. We have increased the intensity in training, and without a clear focus until the end of the week, we must find ways to maintain focus and energy. We have achieved this by ramping up training intensity and including some contact this week.”
The coaching staff is also closely monitoring player recovery, as key players such as Selestino Ravutaumada, Temo Mayanavanua, Inia Tabuavou, and Vuate Karuwalevu are undergoing recovery protocols. Byrne remarked, “There’s no point in pushing them too hard this week. We need to ensure they remain ready, work hard, stay in rehab, and receive the proper care they need.”
Although the squad consists of only 28 players, Byrne remains optimistic about their capacity to form effective combinations against Tonga. He mentioned that playing Tonga on their home turf is akin to facing Samoa in Samoa or Fiji in Fiji, acknowledging the intense atmosphere created by passionate Pacific Island fans. “We just need to concentrate on our objectives and stay focused on what we need to achieve,” he added.
Byrne concluded by emphasizing the importance of staying focused on their mission to succeed.