Quarter-finalist in the last World Cup, Fiji have a new coach in Michael Byrne. The 65-year-old Australian, former technical advisor to the All Blacks and Wallabies, will leave his post at the helm of the Fijian Drua at the end of the current Super Rugby Pacific season.
Byrne will take charge of Fiji in June, the Fiji Rugby Union said on Tuesday. He will replace Simon Raiwalui, who guided Fiji to the quarter-finals of last year’s Rugby World Cup.
Unanimity in Fiji
Under Byrne, Fijian franchise Drua have won all three of their home matches in Super Rugby Pacific this season, but four away defeats leave them mid-table so far. “Everyone here at the Drua is delighted that Mick has been appointed national team manager,” said franchise managing director Mark Evans. “He has done a fantastic job here, and we are sure he will do the same for the Flying Fijians.” »
A former Australian rules football player and skills coach, Byrne became head coach when he joined the Drua ahead of their inaugural Super Rugby season in 2022. He led them to the quarter-finals last year where they lost to future victorious, the Crusaders.
Fiji will face the Barbarians at Twickenham in June then the All Blacks in San Diego (California) in July before participating in the Pacific Nations Cup, starting in August, with group matches against Tonga and the Samoa. They hope to qualify for the final phase of this competition which inaugurates a new formula in 2024 with two groups (the second brings together Japan, the United States and Canada) and a final draw in September in Japan.
