Fiji Water Flying Fijians coach Mick Byrne expressed his admiration for his team’s performance following their 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 highlighted the impressive contribution of both the young players and seasoned veterans in rising to the occasion.
“They performed well right from the start,” Byrne remarked. “Given that they only had three training sessions that week, the discipline they exhibited, particularly in the first half, was praiseworthy. The coaches also did an excellent job guiding them.”
He acknowledged the commendable performances of the debut players, noting their ability to shine in front of the home crowd.
“Deep down, they are likely feeling nervous and striving to perform well. I thought they managed their opportunities effectively when they had the ball,” he noted.
With the Flying Fijians enjoying a bye week in Pool A of the Pacific Nations Cup, attention is now focused on the upcoming matchup between Tonga and Samoa. The team plans to utilize this time to prepare for their next significant challenge against Tonga.