DESPITE their 45-32 loss against the Barbarians in their first Test, Flying Fijians coach Mick Byrne said he was happy with how the team performed.
The Meli Derenalagi-captained side arrived at Twickenham Stadium in London just 36 hours before the match and only had a single run before running against a side that featured top-notch players in the Northern Hemisphere.
“I was very impressed with how our players responded to a late arrival into the UK,” Byrne said.
“They weren’t overawed by the occasion. As young men, they stuck to their tasks, and they were very professional in how they approached the game and I thought they were fantastic,” the former Swire Shipping Fijian Drua coach said.
Given the short preparation the side had, Byrne said they proved themselves outstandingly, and he was adamant the side would perform against Georgia in their next Test match.
The side consisted mainly of Drua players, with 20 players being selected for the Test by their former coach.
“This was the first time some of these players have played in a big arena at Twickenham Stadium, and I know they will only get better from now on,” he said.
Looking back at the match and some of the lessons learned from it, Byrne said they needed improvement in their tackles and aggressiveness at the ruck.
“We just need to be a little bit sharper on our tackles, and quicker around the rucks where we can force turnovers and get possession of the ball.” || Flying Fijians . || Despite their 45-32 loss against the Barbarians in
