Flying Fijians head coach Mick Byrne has announced the 23 players available for today’s Pacific Nations Cup (PNC) opener against Samoa at the HFC Bank Stadium in Suva.
Byrne expressed confidence in the selected team, emphasizing that it represents the best mix of players from both the Northern and Southern hemispheres. He noted that the team has impressed during training, although a few players are currently managing injuries.
Admitting to experiencing a reasonable amount of pressure to win against Samoa, Byrne stated, “It’s healthy pressure as that’s how you survive, and there’s always a little bit of nerve in the first home game.” He emphasized that the focus should be on ensuring the team is prepared.
Byrne also expressed excitement about the performance of the Fijian Drua duo, centre Iosefo Masi and Selestino Ravutaumada, who have recently completed their Olympic Games sevens program. The coach mentioned new combinations, including Inia Tabuavou joining Masi in the centre, and confirmed that Caleb Muntz is fully fit to play.
The coach expects a tough challenge from a robust Samoan forward pack and highlighted the physicality that characterizes the battle between island nations. “We know they are going to come hard, and our players like physicality around the forward pack,” he reiterated.
Byrne also acknowledged the threat posed by the Samoan backline, stressing the need for solid defensive strategies against their aggressive ball lines. He concluded that the match promises to be a fierce contest, focusing on a physical battle up front.