Mick Byrne is new Flying Fijians coach

Swire Shipping Fijian Drua Coach, Mick Byrne has accepted his appointment to the position of Head Coach of the FIJI Water Flying Fijians.

The Fiji Rugby Football Union Trust Board says following an extensive and rigorous selection and negotiation process, Fiji Rugby resolved to appoint Mick, whose formal application for a long-term work permit was granted by the Department of Immigration yesterday.

Fiji Rugby says it is delighted to have a coach of Mick’s calibre who was part of Rugby World Cup winning teams.

It says Mick also brings a deep understanding and love for Fijian rugby proven by the progress and achievements of the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua.

Mick joins Fiji Rugby with the blessings of the Drua Management and will complete this Super Rugby Pacific season with the Fijian Drua while overseeing the Flying Fijians’ preparations for the Barbarians, All Blacks test, July tests, and the end of the year European Tour.

The acceptance, and issuance of a long-term Fiji work permit, to Mick by the Department of Immigration, was a prerequisite to this announcement as Fiji Rugby saw it imperative and necessary, to provide ample opportunity for Mick to obtain independent legal advice.

Fiji Rugby says it is a crucial step in complying with the immigration laws of Fiji and equally aligning with World Rugby’s selection criteria, guided by an Agreement executed between World Rugby, the Fiji Government, Fiji Rugby and ONOC in May 2023.

In a meeting convened in Suva between World Rugby representatives Nigel Cass and Simon Raiwalui, Siromi Turaga as Minister for Justice, Jese Saukuru as Minister for Youth and Sports, Fiji Rugby represented by the Board of Trustees and ONOC representative Cathy Wong, it was resolved that it is in the best interest of Fiji Rugby, that Mick Byrne be the Head Coach of the Flying Fijians.

World Rugby clarified that the Flying Fijians’ performance and ranking at the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France, has put Fiji in strong position to be part of the Nations Championship competition commencing 2026 through to 2030.

It says it would be detrimental to Fiji’s participation in the Nations Championship, in the 2024 Olympics, in the Super Rugby Pacific, the 2027 Rugby World Cup and the rest of the HSBC SVNS Series in Singapore and beyond, if the best qualified and proven coaches, are not appointed to Fiji’s high-performance national teams.

The plan for Fiji’s participation, is to be included in a 12-team competition of Tier 1 nations made up of the Six Nations, the SANZAR teams, Japan, and Fiji.

Fiji Rugby says the importance of that opportunity to Fiji Rugby, the Fiji Government, and all Fijians, is astronomical.

It says it guarantees engaging in a high-level competition, and potentially hosting 5 to 6 test matches against Tier 1 Nations each year between 2026 and 2030.

Fiji Rugby says a massive opportunity exists for further investment in Fiji’s High-Performance Unit and its programmes by World Rugby, that will enable Fiji to prepare and be part of the Nations Championship.

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.

Discussions also revolved around the development of all Fijian coaches for international roles, both in the 15s and 7s environment.

The Board of Trustees of Fiji Rugby and World Rugby have committed to support a coach development program aimed at increasing the pool of possible Fijian-based coaches with the ability to step into such roles, and to expose these coaches to different opportunities, either within Fiji through education and development, or overseas with other High-Performance unions and clubs.

Of Fiji Rugby’s total income in 2023, corporate sponsorships and sundry made up 50 percent, World Rugby grant 32 percent and Fiji Government 18 percent.

Mick Byrne will have a press conference on Thursday to answer questions, highlight his plans and reveal his team.

The Flying Fijians take on the Barbarians in Twickenham on June 22nd and then the All Blacks in San Diego on July 20th.

Byrne has been a coach for the Fijian Drua since 2021 and as a former Assistant All Blacks Coach, he won the 2011 and 2015 rugby world cups, eight Tri Nations/ Rugby Championship trophies and a British and Irish Lions tour. Before leaving New Zealand, Byrne was also involved with Auckland-based Super Rugby team the Blues.

He was hired as a skills coach for the Wallabies in 2016 on a four-year contract, and worked alongside coach Michael Cheika.

Byrne has led the Drua to their first Super Rugby Pacific quarter final last year.