Flying Fijians head coach Mick Byrne is exploring various combinations within his 28-member squad during the Pacific Nations Cup (PNC) tournament. In an interview, Byrne noted that the interactions between the forwards and backs are consistently improving.
He remarked, “It’s a small squad; 28 isn’t a large number. We have our backs sorted and likely one or two additional back players, allowing us to experiment with all possible combinations.”
Byrne acknowledged that he is uncertain about the effectiveness of these combinations as the competition progresses, emphasizing that it remains a work in progress. “We are systematically going through the options, ensuring every player gets a chance. In this compact squad, no one is left out.”
With a challenging match against Tonga scheduled for next Friday, Byrne expressed his awareness of the competitive atmosphere. “Playing against Fiji in Fiji or Samoa in Samoa is always a challenge. The fans in the Pacific Islands are fiercely supportive of their teams. It will certainly place us under pressure,” he added.
He stressed the importance of focus, stating, “We must stay concentrated on our objectives so we can manage outside distractions effectively. We are looking forward to the challenge, just as other teams anticipate playing against us.”
In related news, Tonga will be led by prop Ben Tameifuna in their PNC opener against Samoa in Apia, which is crucial for both teams.
This weekend’s matches include Samoa facing Tonga today at 4 PM and the USA competing against Canada on Sunday at 1 PM. Recent results show Fiji defeating Samoa 42-16, while Canada lost to Japan with a score of 28-55.