Fiji Water Flying Fijians head coach Mick Byrne has welcomed the scheduling of the 2025 Pacific Nations Cup (PNC), describing it as “perfect timing” in the lead-up to a crucial Autumn Nations Series campaign.
The PNC will run from August 22-September 20 followed by the Autumn Nations Series scheduled from November 1- 29.
Byrne says the month-long break in between is a blessing for his squad.
“I think it’s good,” Byrne said.
“The Nations Cup next year is a big bonus around our seasons. The timing of the PNC is perfect for us it gives us a break in July to repair and prepare, and then a smooth transition from the PNC into November. It works well for us,” he added.
The Flying Fijians will face a demanding test in Europe with three high-profile matches in the Autumn Nations Series starting with England on November 8, then France on November 15, and wrapping up against Spain.
The Autumn Nations Series is renowned for pitting the best of the Northern and Southern Hemispheres against each other, and Fiji’s clashes with England and France are tipped to be among the highlights of the tournament.
With a clear and well-spaced international calendar, Byrne believes Fiji can sharpen their form and build momentum as they eye another strong run on the global stage.
The Flying Fijians are in Pool A with Samoa and Tonga while Canada, Japan and USA in Pool B in the Pacific Nations Cup..
The 2025 edition builds upon that foundation, offering teams a chance to grow their High-Performance programs, compete on a global stage, and provide their players with high-performance opportunities in a structured and globally integrated tournament.
This year, for the first time, the Pacific Nations Cup finals series will be hosted in the United States.
