Coach Byrne wary of Tongans
“We have a good side of young and old players; we need the young players to step-up. They need to come in and show what they’ve got,” Byrne added.
Tuesday 26 August 2025 | 22:00
Tonga rugby players arrive at Nausori International Airport on August 25, 2025.
Photo: TRU
The Fiji Water Flying Fijians will have to be in beast-like mode in their Pacific Nations Cup (PNC) opener against Tonga on Saturday.
This was the gist of head coach Mick Byrne’s interview yesterday indicating the need for the Flying Fijians to lift their physicality in this must-win clash.
Tonga walloped Manu Samoa 30-16 in their clash at Teufaiva Stadium in Nukua’lofa last Saturday. The Tongans have the service of Moana Pasifika key playmaker Patrick Pellegrini along with co-coaches Alando Soakai and Pauliasi Manu.
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“They (Tongans) are a very good side; we will not take them lightly this weekend,” Byrne said.
“Our training has been an intense one as we aim to lift our physicality,”
He said the game hasn’t changed much but they would be on their game.
“We need to work harder in the breakdown if we need to win.
“One area we are working on is having a good quality set-piece to give us a starting platform.”
Byrne said the Flying Fijians is a quality team and they know how to get the job done.
“We have a good side of young and old players; we need the young players to step-up. They need to come in and show what they’ve got,” Byrne added.
The match kicks-off at 3pm at the HFC Bank Stadium in Suva.
