The Fiji Water Flying Fijians have established a robust groundwork during their recent northern tour, marking significant progress as they gear up for the Nations Cup and future competitions. Head coach Mick Byrne evaluated the team’s development throughout the year, highlighting key moments that have bolstered their confidence.
“The highlight for us this year was our July window, where training time was limited, yet we delivered a commendable performance against Australia,” Byrne remarked. Although they narrowly missed victory, the team bounced back to secure a win against Scotland and clinch the Pacific Nations Cup, which Byrne referred to as “a good start to our year.”
The Flying Fijians have demonstrated their ability to compete with formidable tier-one nations. Byrne recalled matches that could have swung in their favor, specifically referencing a disallowed try by Simi in the game against England, which would have put them in a leading position, and the thrilling 21-21 draw against France.
As they look forward, Byrne expressed his confidence in the squad’s leadership, particularly praising captain Tevita, whom he described as “a genuinely real man,” reflecting the leadership qualities the team values.
With the first game set for July, Byrne noted that there’s substantial rugby on the horizon, providing players with several opportunities to enhance their preparedness. The northern tour has proven to be a significant advancement for the Flying Fijians, merging seasoned coaching strategies with strong performances as they ambitiously face the challenges that lie ahead.
The team’s forward momentum is encouraging, creating a sense of optimism for what the future holds as they build on their recent successes.
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