Swire Shipping Fijian Drua mentor Mick Byrne is the new FIJI Water Flying Fijians coach.
This was revealed by the Fiji Rugby Union which said in a press release that Byrne has accepted his appointment to the position.
“Following an extensive and rigorous selection and negotiation process, Fiji Rugby resolved to appoint him, whose formal application for a long-term work permit was granted by the Department for Immigration on April 15, 2024.
“In a meeting convened in Suva last month between World Rugby representatives Nigel Cass and Simon Raiwalui, Hon Siromi Turaga as Minister for Justice, Hon 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 interests of Fiji Rugby, that Byrne take up the position.
“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 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 acceptance, and issuance of a long-term Fiji Work Permit, to Byrne 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. 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.”
