After a thrilling 50-19 win against Tonga in the Pacific Nations Cup, Fiji’s captain Tevita Ikanivere and head coach Mick Byrne provided insights into the team’s performance and decisive moments of the match.
Captain Ikanivere, who earned the title of Man of the Match, emphasized the importance of mid-game conversations that switched momentum in Fiji’s favor.
“We talked about our discipline. We allowed Tonga to gain ground towards the end of the first half. With a formidable team like Tonga, any space we give them can be capitalized on. Our main goal was to maintain discipline and control, which we successfully achieved in the second half,” Ikanivere stated.
Coach Mick Byrne acknowledged the team’s development, especially for players in their third year of professional rugby.
“There is significant growth in this team. A number of players are entering their third year in the professional arena and are learning more about themselves. Today’s match served as another opportunity for them to realize that they must consistently stay engaged,” he remarked.