FIJI Water Flying Fijians head coach Mick Byrne has expressed an earnest message to supporters as the team departs for Europe to participate in the Autumn Nations Series. He highlighted the importance of fan presence and energy during the matches, particularly for the Fijians set to face England and France.
Byrne stated, “For all our fans, you know the boys absolutely appreciate the love and support they get from everyone. They miss their home crowd. We know what our crowds bring. Understand the boys know that and they think about you all the time. They go out to perform and make you proud.” He hopes that fans in the Northern Hemisphere will rally together, waving flags and cheering loudly to create a home-like atmosphere.
The team has already flown out and will play their first Test against England on November 9 at Twickenham Stadium, kicking off at 5.40 am (Fiji time). Reflecting on the team’s recent preparations, Byrne noted a productive camp setup, which has included a novel “reg night camp.” This is a first for the Flying Fijians, aiming to facilitate better cohesion and understanding among players about their game plan.
Byrne shared, “We are doing a reg night camp which we haven’t done before. It’s the first time we’ve done it, so we’ll get all our players in for a couple of days at the beginning of the week. We’ll be able to get some work done, some clarity on the way we want to play.” He also mentioned the team’s high spirits as players reunited after their prior engagements, drawing parallels to a family coming back together.
Adding depth to the squad, newcomers Tim Hoyt, Pita Gus Sowakula, and Atu Sokobale are poised to make an impact. Byrne praised Sowakula’s past experience with the All Blacks and his performance in recent Super Rugby seasons, noting his versatility and mobility, which will contribute to the team’s dynamic playstyle.
Byrne’s approach appears to effectively blend experienced players with emerging talent, ensuring the Flying Fijians are well-equipped to showcase their unique style in upcoming matches. As Fijian Rugby continues its upward trajectory, fans hold hope for impressive performances that not only reflect resilience and skill but inspire the next generation of players.