Fiji Water Flying Fijians coach Mick Byrne has criticised the Pacific Nations Cup (PNC) organisers for restricting each team participating in the competition to a 28-man squad, saying the format is unfair and puts Pacific teams at a disadvantage.
Byrne says that while the Rugby World Cup allows squads of 32 or 33 players, the PNC limit makes it difficult for teams like Fiji, Samoa, and Tonga to manage injuries and maintain competitiveness throughout the tournament.
He says he feels that the PNC is not designed to support Pacific Island teams but rather caters to wealthier clubs and unions.
He reveals that if a player gets injured, the team is forced to permanently replace them, even if the injury only sidelines them for a week, which he says is ridiculous.
Byrne says the Flying Fijians’ depth just does not go that far.
He says naming five props, three hookers, and three halfbacks already consumes 11 of the 28 spots, leaving only 17 players to cover 12 positions, creating major challenges for match-day rotation and injury cover.
He stresses that the PNC should focus on helping Southern Hemisphere and Pacific Island teams grow rather than adding logistical and financial burdens.
Byrne says he is not sure who the PNC think they are putting these sorts of restrictions on struggling organisations, but it makes things very difficult for Pacific Island teams to get ahead.
Meanwhile, the Flying Fijians will take on Tonga at 3pm on the 30th of August at the HFC Bank Stadium in Suva, in their first match of the 2025 Pacific Nations Cup.
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