Fiji Water Flying Fijians head coach Mick Byrne believes that skills are more important than decision making.
This was his answer to a question posed by rugby sevens maestro and legend Waisale Serevi to him, on whether he preferred skills or decision making,during Fiji Rugby Union symposium in Suva.
Serevi asked the question in the context of how the Flying Fijians’ progress in the present had the potential to forge a new way forward for the Rugby World Cups in 2027, 2031 and 2035.
“That’s a very good rugby question, one that I’ve had millions of arguments with, especially in New Zealand,” Byrne remarked.
“It is skills, and the reason why I say is that if I’m a player and I can’t pass on my left hand, my skill isn’t great on my left hand.
“My subconscious brain stays within my skill set, so a lot of players will come down the field and it will be on to throw a missed pass to a 13 who is in space.”
He explained how the subconscious, which is the part of one’s mind where it notices and remembers information when it is not actively doing so, would not make the connection to throw a pass.
“But I can’t throw that pass so my subconscious brain through training doesn’t even look for that option,” he said.
“So we talk about it, and when you say to a player, I made a poor decision and I’ve done this with the best players in the world.”
He highlighted his experience with the All Blacks, where he was skills and kicking coach, to explain how players made decisions on the field based on their skill sets.
“Once you get your skill sets right, then your decision making will improve, you can do drills to help decision making, no question, and players will try because you’re working on it,” he emphasised.
Byrne was one of four keynote speakers in day one of the symposium, alongside Fiji 7s and Fijiana 7s Osea Kolinisau and Richie Walker, and Fijiana XV head coach Ioan Cunningham.
Meanwhile, Fiji takes on Tonga in its first Pacific Nations Cup match this Saturday.
The match kicks off at 3.30pm at the HFC Bank Stadium in Suva.