Flying Fijians head coach Mick Byrne has expressed confidence that the new expanded format for the 2027 Rugby World Cup, featuring 24 teams, will not alter Fiji’s approach to the tournament. With the introduction of a new round-of-16 knockout stage and a reduction in pool matches from four to three, Byrne emphasizes that the team’s focus will remain on thorough preparation leading up to the competition.
Byrne recognizes that ensuring players are exposed to high-quality opposition and the intensity of major tournaments will be essential for Fiji to be fully prepared for the knockout rounds. He highlights the importance of the lead-up to the World Cup, stating, “It’s probably what we do prior to the World Cup that’s important… there’s an opportunity for players to sense the big stage before the big stage arrives.”
To achieve this, the Flying Fijians are actively seeking strong warm-up matches that emulate the high-intensity environments experienced by top teams like France and England during their preparations for the recent World Cup. Once the tournament kicks off, Byrne stresses the need for his squad to quickly adapt from pool play to the high stakes of knockout rugby, progressing from the round of 16 to the quarter-finals, semi-finals, and ultimately, the final.
Fiji’s commitment to rigorous preparation and the pursuit of competitive match experiences are positive indicators of their determination to succeed on the world stage.