Pacific Nations Cup Builds our Depth as a Team say Byrne

Fiji Water Flying Fijians head coach Mick Byrne says it’s an exciting time for the team as they build new combinations and introduce fresh talent during the upcoming Pacific Nations Cup (PNC).

Fiji has been drawn in Pool A alongside Tonga, who will face Samoa this weekend, while Pool B consists of Japan, the USA, and Canada.

“I think it’s an exciting time for us,” said Byrne. “The short window in July gave us only two test matches, so it was over before it really started. Now, we’ve come in here, and the boys are excited for it.”

Byrne emphasized the importance of developing squad depth ahead of the Rugby World Cup, giving emerging players a chance to prove themselves.

“We’re giving some players an opportunity to come into the program—young players who can show us what they’ve got. The PNC is a great chance to build our depth, and it’s important we keep progressing in that direction,” he added.

Dismissing any notion of experimentation, Byrne stressed that the selected players have earned their spots through strong performances.

“There’s nothing experimental about it. These boys have played well and deserve to be here,” he said. “We’ve had a good training session today, and the mood is positive as we prepare for the challenge ahead.”

The Flying Fijians are set to kick off their Pacific Nations Cup campaign with high expectations, as they aim to fine-tune their squad for future international competitions.

Get your tickets on sale now at Fiji Rugby House for the match that kicks-off at 3pm on Saturday 30th at the HFC Bank Stadium.