Flying Fijians head coach Mick Byrne is testing all combinations available in his 28-member squad during the Pacific Nations Cup (PNC) competition.

Speaking to SUNsports, Byrne said the combinations between the forwards and the backs are hooking together all the time.

“It’s a tiny squad, 28 isn’t a big number,” he said.

“We’ve got our backs and we’ve probably got one or two spare backs, so they get a chance in all the combos without having to use that.”

Byrne said he does not know what their combinations would be like at the later stage of the competition, but it is still work in progress.

“We’re just working through that, and everyone’s getting a chance. It’s not like we have four or five players sitting on the sideline not getting used.

“Everyone’s getting used in such a small squad.”

Byrne knows what to expect from the challenge in Tonga next Friday.

“It’s the same playing Fiji in Fiji, playing Samoa in Samoa, playing Tonga in Tonga.

“We know what the fans are like in the Pacific Islands. They love their home teams,” he added.

“It’s going to be a good pressure for us. We just have to make sure

that we understand what we’re trying to do, so on the day we can stay focused on what we want to achieve.

“The other stuff will just become outside noise.

“We’re looking forward to that. It’s the same when the people come and play us.”

Meanwhile, burly prop Ben Tameifuna captains Tonga in their PNC opener against Samoa in Apia. It’s a must-win clash for both teams.

THIS WEEKEND

Today: 4pm Samoa v Tonga

Sunday: 1pm USA v Canada

RESULTS

Fiji 42-16 Samoa, Canada 28-55 Japan

Feedback: waisean@fijisun.com.fj