Flying Fijians head coach Mick Byrne believes that they need to lift their physicality if they are to become competitive against the All Blacks in their July 20 Test match to be played in San Diego, United States.

Despite the big score-lines the All Blacks handed to the Flying Fijians before, playing in a neutral venue, Byrne said, can bring about good vibes.

“Playing the All Blacks on a neutral ground will be great,” he said.

“We have tended to play them in New Zealand, so it’s always good to go and play them in a neutral environment.”

The wily coach is aware the All Blacks are going to try and find their way within our team and then our coaching staff as they’ll be also excited of the opportunity. But this allows us also to get into a team that’s come together for the first time. So we’re looking forward to bringing physicality to that clash.”

Byrne added that they have a lot of world-class players who have been playing in the Northern Hemisphere. One example is lanky forward Lekima Tagitagivalu who is the current locking partner of Sam Whitelock, the legendary All Black, as they play for Pau in the French Top 14.

“We’ve also got a squad of players that have been playing the New Zealand players for three years and they’re not overloaded like they used to be on the occasion of going against the New Zealand sides.” he said.

The Flying Fijians face Georgia in their first Test on July 5 before taking on the All Blacks.

Meanwhile, the Flying Fijians take on the Barbarians for the Killik Cup in Twickenham, London, on June 22.

It has been confirmed that England international prop Kyle Sinckler has been called up to the Barbarians to play against Fiji.

The 68-cap England tighthead brought his time in England to an end ahead of his move from Bristol Bears to Toulon. The Barbarians is coached by former Wallabies boss Robbie Deans.

He joins a lengthy list of England internationals that will don the black and white hoops on June 22, including Danny Care, BenYoungs, Zach Mercer, Jonathan Joseph, Jonny Mayand his future Toulon team-mate David Ribbans.

Feedback: waisean@fijisun.com.fj