Fiji Water Flying Fijians head coach Mick Byrne has expressed his excitement about the new pool draw for the 2027 Rugby World Cup, highlighting it as a refreshing change after years of facing the same opponents. In previous tournaments, Fiji has encountered Australia and Wales consecutively, but the upcoming event in Australia marks a welcome departure from that trend.
Byrne views this new competitive landscape as not just a shift, but an opportunity for his players to encounter new dynamics in their matches. “It’s been good,” he stated, looking back at the end of the repeated Australia-Wales cycle. “Fiji have played Australia and Wales over the last couple of World Cups, so it’s good to have a mix of other teams. I think that makes it exciting for us.”
In the pool stage, Fiji will face Argentina, Spain, and Canada. According to Byrne, these matchups, while familiar, present fresh challenges and the opportunity to compete against higher-ranking teams. He emphasized the significance of playing against Argentina, noting, “You know, the beauty is we’re playing Argentina.” With matches against top-tier nations like France, England, and Ireland in previous years, Byrne indicated that this preparation aligns well with Fiji’s strategic goal of building competitive resilience.
To further enhance their readiness for the World Cup, Fiji has scheduled a series of matches against elite teams leading up to the tournament. Byrne believes this intensive preparation will be crucial for ensuring the team’s success and performance in 2027. With a combination of familiar rivals and new challenges on the horizon, the Flying Fijians are gearing up to leave their mark in the upcoming Rugby World Cup.