The Flying Fijians move on to the next assignment on their four-match Autumn Tour of Europe, as the focus shifts to Spain.
Head coach Mick Byrne said following the historic 24-19 win over Wales at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff on Monday morning , that they need to keep producing results.
Byrne said it was good to get the win against Wales, but they have to keep focusing on what’s ahead, which includes matches against Spain and Ireland, as well as the 2027 Rugby World Cup.
The former Fijian Drua mentor knows the importance of getting good results on tour, as that determines what opponents you get the following season.
He highlighted that this year the Flying Fijians have been able to get four Tier One nations: the New Zealand All Blacks, Scotland, Wales, and Ireland, with the possibility of getting more top-tier games in 2025 and competing in the proposed Nations Cup in 2026.
“Where we are coming from, where we have come from, to keep beating the Tier One teams, they are landmark moments,” Byrne said.
“We know that we want to live in this arena…the Nations Cup is coming, and we want to be part of that.
“We are going to be coming in against these teams every year now. This year has been great for us, we get four Tier One teams, we have been beaten easily twice, and we have had a win.
“So, for us to get through to 2027 and experience those moments on a weekly basis is going to be great for the team.
He said the Tier One teams are “fierce and competitive” and the prospect of playing multiple top teams “and then hopefully [be] part of the Nations Cup in 2026” will lay the groundwork for his side to be in a strong position for the Rugby World Cup in 2027.
He said the experience of playing in front of vocal fans and large crowds in Scotland, Wales, England, and Ireland is one that will help players get better.
Wales had 61,587 fans packed out the Principality Stadium, while attendance at Murrayfield for the match against Scotland was recorded at 67,144.
“Young players playing out there [against Wales] and [Scotland] last week was a classic when the second verse of Flower of Scotland [started and] the lights went down, the band stopped playing,” he said.
“It was just the crowd singing. Same thing [on Sunday]. These are stirring moments, and as a young player, they can be not overwhelming, but they can be quite full on emotionally.
“To experience those and then step out and play your rugby is a good thing. We don’t get that chance with the games we play, when we play in the Pacific Nations Cup, we don’t get in front of these sorts of crowds. So, they are part of the growth.”
Byrne said that while they celebrate the win against Wales, they have to shift focus to the game against Spain, who defeated Uruguay 33-24 in Madrid over the weekend.
He believes Spain will be tough at home.
“We have got Spain next and we have already put out a bit of time into Spain and what they do,” he said.
“They played well on the weekend, so they had a good victory. They are going on at home in good form. We need to enjoy ourselves tonight but need to reset and go again. If we do that, then we’re putting ourselves in good place, to build on that.
“I think getting ready for Spain starts tonight (Monday), and making sure that we do that and do that well. With all the games up here, playing these teams on their home grounds is a great experience for a lot of our players.”
Bryne said getting Europe-based players back was a bonus for the team and it was good to have them back.
Returning players included Lyon’s Semi Radradra, Racing 92’s Josua Tuisova, Toulon’s Jiuta Wainiqolo from the Top 14 in France, as well as co-captain Waisea Nayacalevu and Sam Matavesi.
All played well, despite Radradra copping a red card for a tackle that was deemed to be dangerous, with Tuisova scoring one of the two tries.
“We had a number of new players come in, but the jersey is still the same colour,” Byrne said.
“And so that was the thing that we spoke about, while there might be different people wearing the jersey, it is about putting some pride back in the jersey.
He said the players did that against the Welsh after a disappointing match with Scotland.
“We know that there were a few inexperienced players out there, but I thought the players that came in this week really worked hard at training and they put in some real, physical work at training, and they put some pride back into Jersey today.”
Meanwhile, co-captain and hooker Tevita Ikanivere said getting the win was the result of hard work the players had put in during the week.
“There was satisfaction and happiness, because, you know, we worked hard through the week preparing to come and win,” he said.
“And when it finally did happen, I think it was just joy and happiness knowing that we did the work in the week and we came and finished it off on the field.2
Ikanivere said they will keep working on improving things they can improve as they gear up for Spain.
That includes wide-out defence, which was an area where they were found wanting against Wales.
“I think we were too short at the back, especially in defence,” he said, following the exit of Radrara who could not be replaced for 20 minutes, and the yellow card of number eight Elia Canakaivata.
“We talked about having one short in the line-up so we could spread our back defence, because they scored the first try off the edge.
“I think we did that well and people just reminded each other, effort after effort, tried to slow down their ball, and kill the momentum, until we got back into full form.”
Fiji will meet Spain at the Estadio Jose Zorrilla in Madrid on Sunday.
