Flying Fijians head coach Mick Byrne has expressed enthusiasm over Fiji’s Rugby World Cup 2027 pool draw, characterizing it as both exciting and advantageous. As the team gears up for the expanded 24-team tournament set to take place in Australia, Fiji finds itself situated in Pool C alongside Argentina, Spain, and Canada.
Byrne sees this pool as a blend of familiarity, opportunity, and compelling match-ups. “It’s exciting times, isn’t it? We’ve been waiting for this draw for a while now. I thought it was a really well-organised situation,” he stated. He also acknowledged the long history between Fiji and some of its opponents, suggesting that it presents a unique opportunity for the Flying Fijians.
Particularly notable is the chance to compete against Spain and Canada, two teams that Fiji has faced recently. “We play Spain and Canada. We’ve played Spain twice in the last two years and have had regular matches with Canada through the Pacific Nations Cup. We understand their developments and how they’re progressing,” Byrne remarked.
Byrne further highlighted the importance of facing Argentina, considered one of the strongest teams in the world. He views this matchup as a valuable opportunity, emphasizing Argentina’s competitive spirit and strong performance in recent tournaments. “It’s a great opportunity to play against a team that enjoys rugby,” he said, noting the exciting games Argentina has played since joining the Rugby Championship.
With the introduction of the Round of 16, Fiji has a promising path toward the knockout stages. However, Byrne stressed the need for the Flying Fijians to approach each opponent with respect as they prepare for the challenge ahead in 2027. This optimistic outlook reflects the dedication and readiness of the team as they aim for success on the world stage.