Fiji Water Flying Fijians coach Mick Byrne has praised his team following their impressive 42-16 victory over Samoa in the opening match of the 2024 Asahi Super Dry Pacific Nations Cup, which took place in Suva last Friday.
Byrne expressed admiration for the way the young players, alongside seasoned veterans, rose to the occasion. “They performed admirably right from the start,” he stated. “Given that they had just three training sessions that week, the discipline they exhibited, particularly in the first half, was remarkable. The coaching staff also did an excellent job guiding them.”
He also highlighted the strong performances of the debutants and their capability to shine in front of the home crowd. “It’s natural for them to feel nervous, but they aspired to play well. I believe they handled the ball effectively,” he noted.
With the Flying Fijians enjoying a bye week in Pool A of the Pacific Nations Cup, the focus now shifts to this weekend’s matchup between Tonga and Samoa. The team plans to use this period to prepare for their upcoming challenge against Tonga.