There is a significant disparity in conditioning and game speed between players in the Skipper Cup and those participating in the Super Rugby Pacific competition. This perspective was shared by Flying Fijians head coach Mick Byrne during an interview, as he addressed the selection of Naitasiri hooker Kavaia Tagivetaua as the only local-based provincial player included in the Flying Fijians squad for the upcoming Pacific Nations Cup.
Byrne emphasized that the current setup involves a fully professional rugby environment, focusing on training and preparation. He stated, “One of our challenges moving forward is to ensure that our Skipper Cup teams are working hard towards the level of rugby and fitness we aspire to.”
The coach expressed eagerness to collaborate with Skipper Cup coaches to bridge the gap between the two competitions. He noted that valuable feedback from players involved in the Skipper Cup revealed insights about their energy and performance metrics. Byrne highlighted the presence of promising talents that he hopes to integrate into the Fijians Warriors program.
Additionally, Byrne expressed optimism that some of these skilled players from the Skipper Cup could eventually join the Drua franchise club, potentially earning spots through the Warriors.
In a related development, the inclusion of France-based Adrea Cocagi in the Flying Fijians squad aims to enhance the depth in the second-five-eighth position. Cocagi, who plays for Castres in the Top 14 competition, is recognized as a strong running player in the midfield. Byrne is looking forward to his contributions during the campaign, noting Cocagi’s experience from two Test matches under head coach Vern Cotter.
Cocagi, who hails from Nuku Village in Serua and began his rugby journey at Lomary Secondary School before moving to the NRL with the Newcastle Knights, is seen as a vital asset for the upcoming matches.
Byrne also mentioned that hooker Zuriel Togiatama was not selected due to personal family matters in Auckland, New Zealand. He pointed out that Simione Kuruvoli, who has been active since the World Cup, deserves some time off to be with his family.
The 30-member Flying Fijians squad is set to report to camp tomorrow.