The Fiji captain is also aiming to keep his side’s momentum going after a memorable 15 months. Fiji are in Europe for three Test matches: they take on Scotland at Scottish Gas Murrayfield this Saturday (he won't be involved for that one - see their team here), then face Wales in Cardiff on 10 November, before finishing on 16 November against Ireland in Dublin - with every game live on TNT Sports.
In August 2023 they made the rugby world sit up by securing their first win over England at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham, with a 30-22 victory. They maintained their form at the Rugby World Cup, and while they lost Wales, they managed to beat Australia 22-15 and progress from the pool ahead of the Wallabies.
England may have ended their hopes at the quarter-final stage, but when they reunited in the summer for the Pacific Nations Cup, Fiji again showed their class, with wins over Samoa, Tonga, and USA, before they defeated Japan 41-17 in Hanazono to claim the trophy.
Reconnecting with home
The 34-year-old Nayacalevu puts much of their success down to their pre-World Cup camp in Fiji which allowed the team to connect with the Fijian people and understand who they are and who they represent.
“That build-up really boosted us, first beating England and then into the World Cup,” Nayacalevu tells us. “It was different and meant our mindset allowed us to be the best version of ourselves and show the tier one nations the best version of ourselves.
“The players have grown and understand the way to go. They stepped up really well and performed really well [in the Pacific Nations Cup], and now we’re really looking forward to the November tour.
“It is a good foundation for Fiji coming into this camp, knowing we’re going to face three Tier 1 nations. It gives us confidence going into this November tour. The boys know that the challenge is huge, but they are ready to work hard to get the result.”
All change
Nayacalevu missed the Pacific Nations Cup campaign, with the squad selected predominantly from Fijian Drua who play in Super Rugby.
While the team was in action, he completed his move from Toulon in France’s Top 14 to Sale Sharks in England’s Premiership.
So far Nayacalevu has played two matches from Alex Sanderson’s side, as he adjusts to life in the colder climes of Greater Manchester having lived on France’s Mediterranean coast for two years.
He and his family are enjoying getting to know their new home, and he has plans to take in the city’s famous sporting rivals – City and United – at some point.
“It’s bit of a jump and totally different, especially the weather,” Nayacalevu says. “I’m still trying to fine tune myself in and find my role. Manchester is quite big and there’s plenty of places to see and things to do.
“Everyone has been so welcoming, the coaches and players. I love the people as well. We’ve sat down and talked about how to find a way to get me in and I told him I want to be used more. It is a very good squad and the lads are good.”
Mick The Kick
Fiji arrived in Scotland last Friday and Nayacalevu has been watching them “having fun” from afar as they settle into their surroundings ahead of their opening match in Edinburgh.
Having Fijian Drua play in Super Rugby has meant that the rump of the squad is regularly playing and training together, as well as allow young players a strong development pathway against the best teams from Australia and New Zealand on a weekly basis.
Nayacalevu agrees that while the teams has been able to play a more structured and resilient style at times, it hasn’t taken away from their traditional strengths, something that Mick 'The Kick' Byrne - a former New Zealand assistant and Aussie Rules player who specialised in kicking and skills - has built on since he took over as head coach earlier in the year.
“That has been huge for Fiji rugby, in terms of being able to adapt,” he says. “The level of Super Rugby has brought good things to Fiji. It is very good for Fiji rugby and the younger generation.
“The thing that Mick and the other coaches know is that we have the Fijian flair, and they don’t want to change that. They let us play our Fijian style, but at the same time we have a guideline of a gameplan, so if things go off, we just go back to our gameplan.
“The energy is good, and the boys are really good. There’s a lot of depth, especially with the Drua squad, then there’s the boys in the UK and Europe. Mick has a lot to choose from, and players are adapting their positions.
“It keeps rugby entertaining. Everybody loves how we play.”
Celtic challenge
With Wales on the horizon after Scotland (a team that “always surprise us”), Nayacalevu admits it will be hard to keep memories of their France 2023 clash to the back of their minds.
The match in Bordeaux came down to the last play with Fiji chasing a converted try to win. However, Wales clung on to secure the victory that eventually gave them first place in the pool.
With Wales on a run of eight consecutive defeats Nayacalevu knows they (and the Principality Stadium crowd) will be doing everything they can to avoid making it nine. If that wasn’t hard enough, Ireland as the number one team in the world will provide a fuller picture of where Fiji stand at the end of 2024.
“It is massive for us because the last result at the World Cup was so frustrating. So close, but so far,” he says.
“We’re looking forward to it and especially facing their home crowd. It will be a big challenge. They’ll be fired up and looking forward to that game. We have to embrace the event and prepare well.
“It is a great for us to test ourselves and see what we can do. Ireland are the best team in the world and we’re thankful to World Rugby for giving us the chance to face them.”
Watch every game of the 2024 Autumn Nations Series live on TNT Sports.
