Flying Fijians head coach Mick Byrne has announced a strong lineup of 23 players for today’s Pacific Nations Cup (PNC) opener against Samoa at the HFC Bank Stadium in Suva.
Byrne expressed confidence in the team’s selection, stating, “This is the best combination we can select around the Northern and Southern hemisphere players.” He noted the players have performed well in training, although a few injuries may require close monitoring.
Byrne acknowledged there is some pressure to deliver a strong performance against Samoa, indicating, “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.
He looks forward to the contributions of Fijian Drua players, centre Iosefo Masi and Selestino Ravutaumada, after their participation in the Olympic Games sevens. Byrne mentioned new combinations, including Inia Tabuavou alongside Masi and the full return of Caleb Muntz.
The coach anticipates a tough challenge from Samoa’s formidable forward pack, saying, “We know they are going to come hard, and our players thrive on physicality around the forward pack. The battle of the islands is usually determined by strong forward packs.”
Byrne also highlighted the need to be prepared against Samoa’s backline, adding, “We must ensure that we are fit to defend against the hard short ball lines and back ourselves when playing. It will be a great contest as we prepare for a physical battle upfront.”