EXCITING. That’s how FIJI Water Flying Fijians head coach Mick Byrne has described the team’s pool for the 2027 Rugby World Cup, announced on Wednesday night.
Fiji is grouped in Pool C with Argentina, Canada and Spain.
Byrne said knowing which teams they will be up against in the pool stages is also a timely opportunity for the team to start preparing themselves.
“It’s an exciting pool for us and it’s a great opportunity for us to prepare now that we know where things sit,” Byrne said during a virtual press conference yesterday.
Argentina’s inclusion in the pool has sparked conversations in Fiji’s rugby circles since the Flying Fijians last faced Argentina on August 18, 2003, where they lost 30-49.
Speaking on the Los Pumas inclusion in the pool, Byrne welcomed it as a “great opportunity.”
“Argentina is a good team for us. It’s a great opportunity to play against another team that likes to play rugby,” he said.
He added the Pumas’ addition to the Rugby Championship has seen them play games he thought were commendable.
Byrne said seeing the placement of teams into their pools was an interesting sight.
“I thought it was really well organised and really well done,” he mentioned.
“Watching the draw last night (Wednesday), it was interesting to see where everyone fell and ironically, Spain and Canada, who we’ve been playing a little bit over the last couple of years, are there.”
Fiji last met Spain in an international friendly during their tour of Europe last month and beat them 41-33.
Meanwhile, in Fiji’s last meeting with the Canadians during the Pacific Nations Cup in September, Fiji won 63-10.
And unlike Argentina, Byrne said frequent meetings with these two teams over the years meant their improvements and progress were always noted.
The Rugby World Cup is scheduled to start in Australia in September, 2027.
