The Fijian coach’s true goal is to develop Richie Mo’unga’s nephew into a “world-class” 10.
Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula and Caleb Muntz will battle it out over the course of the next month for the honour of wearing Fiji’s No. 10 shirt, and head coach Mick Byrne feels the Flying Fijians are in a fantastic position to develop two talented flyhalves into “world-class players” in the near future.
The enthusiasm and anticipation for the redesigned competition are growing quickly as the Pacific Nations Cup approaches in just over a week. As they get ready to compete for the coveted championship, teams are announcing their training squads. Young playmakers Armstrong-Ravula and Muntz are part of Fiji’s robust 30-man PNC squad, which was recently announced. The 20-year-old Armstrong-Ravula, who is the nephew of former All Black Richie Mo’unga, has already demonstrated promise at the Test level.
Armstrong-Ravula, who was born in New Zealand, played 59 minutes in the Flying Fijians’ victory over the All Blacks in San Diego last month, and he will look to build on that performance in the national setup. However, it is not exactly a given that the highly-rated prospect will wear the No. 10 on his back against Samoa and Tonga over the coming weeks. Muntz is another option who will undoubtedly push Armstrong-Ravula to be the best that he can be.
Armstrong-Ravula is only a youthful athlete who appears to have leisure time on his hands. For a young player, he works well and has a good understanding of the game, Mick Byrne told reporters on Thursday. He’s picking things up too. He has gained confidence as the year has gone on. In my opinion, Caleb Muntz provided him with excellent assistance during his injury absence. There for him too was Caleb, the background player.
“Over the year, he has grown significantly. Despite being a young player in his under-20s, I like the way he approaches the game. Like Caleb, he enjoys playing rugby in an attacking manner. “We’re very lucky. There was probably a time a couple of years ago when we were looking around for 10s and now we’ve got two world-class 10s – young 10s that we can develop into world-class players.”
Armstrong-Ravula and Muntz are professional rugby players who play for the Fijian Drua in Super Rugby Pacific. Due to injuries, Muntz missed the majority of the season this year, although he was back in time for two games during the regular season and the Blues’ quarterfinal matchup at Eden Park. Armstrong-Ravula, who had a breakout season, seized the chance to start with both hands when the 24-year-old was out. The youthful pivot made 14 appearances for the Drua, starting every game in the No. 10 jersey.
Over 100 points were scored by Armstrong-Ravula during the Drua’s march to the Super Rugby Pacific playoffs. However, after making an impression when he entered the Test arena, it appears highly likely that he will be given another opportunity to start for the PNC. But, there is “healthy” rivalry between the two, and that can only be advantageous as the team attempts to improve through the forthcoming competition and beyond, regardless of who takes the lead as the Flying Fijians’ primary playmaker from the outset.
Byrne continued, “They get along well and support one another both on and off the pitch during practice and the game.” Being in this position is healthy. I don’t think the Drua are lucky because they’ve earned it by hard work and acquisition of two excellent young players who will develop together. “It’s an extremely exciting combination because it allows you to ensure that both players are taken care of physically over time.”
Two of the twenty-three Fijian Drua players chosen for the national team are Armstrong-Ravula and Muntz. Merely seven Drua athletes who do not play club rugby have been selected for the 30-person PNC squad. Tevita Ikanivere, a Drua hooker, will lead a team that has six uncapped players. Kavaia Tagivetaua, Mesake Vocevoce, Apisalome Vota, Epeli Momo, Adrea Cocagi, and Vuate Karawalevu are the possible debutantes.
After working with the Drua for a few seasons, Coach Byrne is excited about the “challenge” of mentoring players in an international competition that he has had the good fortune to work with in the past. Working with players you’ve known for the last three years is usually beneficial, he clarified. “But it’s international rugby, the players are getting bigger every year, and the competition is different. The difficulty lies in giving the players the appropriate plans to follow; each participant has a unique gameplan. Establishing a rapport with the players is undoubtedly advantageous.
On August 23, Fiji launches its PNC campaign against Samoa. In Pool A, the Fijians’ lone other matchup is against Tonga.