Byrne says NZ-based Pacific players face hidden barriers to representing Fiji

Fiji Water Flying Fijians coach Mick Byrne has told RNZ Pacific that New Zealand-based players of Pacific Island heritage have signed letters of agreement attached to their contracts, which bar them from playing for teams other than the All Blacks.

Byrne says that while New Zealand Rugby has publicly stated that players contracted to NZ-based Super Rugby clubs are free to choose which national team they want to represent, he has been told otherwise.

This follows his remarks during fijivillage Straight Talk with Vijay Narayan in June, where he revealed that Fijian-heritage players in Super Rugby Pacific were being held back from joining the Flying Fijians due to contractual clauses.

Byrne says that while New Zealand Rugby has stated publicly that players are not contractually tied to the All Blacks, agents have confirmed to him that a separate agreement has been signed alongside the contract.

He says some players have been pulled into wider training squads in New Zealand after showing interest in Fiji, and he is still trying to reach others.

He adds that he cannot just pick a player and get the player to play for Fiji, as there are processes to get the player released.

New Zealand Rugby has disputed Byrne’s claims, stating that Super Rugby clubs can sign up to three non-New Zealand eligible players, including those who wish to represent Fiji, Samoa, or Tonga.

NZR added that all other players declare their intent to represent New Zealand for the duration of their contracts.

Byrne has expressed interest in Blues number eight Hoskins Sotutu, Crusaders prop George Bower, and Highlanders backs Jona Nareki and Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens.

While Sotutu becomes eligible for Fiji this year, Bower has been recalled to the All Blacks squad.

Both Nareki and Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens have shown interest in playing for Fiji.

With the 2027 Rugby World Cup approaching, Byrne says he's hopeful to bring in some of these players for Fiji’s 2026 campaign build-up.

Meanwhile, the Flying Fijians will take on Tonga at 3pm on the 30th of August at the HFC Bank Stadium in Suva, in their first match of the 2025 Pacific Nations Cup.

[Source: RNZ]