UNBELIEVABLE: Fijian Drua fans in Tears as the newly appointed head coach Mick Byrne has publicly announced stepping down his career as he undergoes…
Mick Byrne is the new coach of the Flying Fijians.
Mick Byrne, the current Fijian Drua coach, has been named the next coach of the Flying Fijians by the Fiji Rugby Union. This was confirmed by the FRU in a statement issued in Suva on Tuesday. The Fiji union stated that Byrne was the best prepared for the position, having previously served as an assistant coach with the All Blacks and the Wallabies. He succeeds Simon Raiwalui. Following a series of interviews, Byrne and current Fiji Warriors coach Senirusi Seruvakula were named as shortlisted candidates.
As part of a deal inked last year, World Rugby pledged more tier one games and financing for the Fiji Rugby Union. Prior to accepting the new employment, Byrne had to get an extended work visa. According to the FRU statement, the Department for Immigration issued Byrne’s long-term work permit on Monday, April 15.
It said the new coach has extensive international experience, having coached test matches for Scotland, Japan, the Wallabies, and the All Blacks. “Fiji Rugby is delighted to have a coach of Mick’s calibre who was part of three Rugby World Cup winning teams,” read the statement. “Mick also brings a deep understanding and love for Fijian rugby proven by the progress and achievements of the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua.”
According to the FRU, Byrne has joined Fiji Rugby with the consent of the Drua management and will oversee the Flying Fijians’ preparations for the Super Rugby Pacific season. The FRU stated that the appointment required the acceptance and issuance of a long-term Fiji work permit. World Rugby stated that the Flying Fijians’ performance and rating at the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France have placed Fiji in a solid position to participate in the scheduled Nations Championship competition.
“However, World Rugby emphasised that Fiji playing tier 1 nations on a regular basis – as opposed to playing tier 2 nations – will only be a reality, if the investment in Fiji Rugby’s high performance by World Rugby is protected through the appointment of the best coaches to coach Fiji’s national teams through a robust, fair, transparent, and independent process,” the FRU stated. World Rugby contributed around 32% of the FRU’s overall income in 2023. Drua initiates replacement search. Mark Evans, chief executive officer of Fijian Drua, expressed his excitement at Byrne’s appointment as national team head coach.
“He’s done a terrific job here at the Drua, and we’re sure that he will do the same for the Flying Fijians,” Evans stated. “We are also very confident that he will be completely focused on the remainder of the [Super Rugby Pacific] season whilst he’s still with us.” Evans stated that the Fijian Drua will initiate a process to appoint a replacement in the coming months.
