'Editorial: Byrne is the right man for the job. He deserves our support
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Monday 22 April 2024 | 11:33
Congratulations to Mick Byrne on his appointment as the new Flying Fijians head coach.
His appointment has the backing of World Rugby and Government.
The 67-year-old, who is a former Australian rules footballer, is a specialist in kicking and team skills.
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He was dubbed 'Mick the Kick' and was the man who transformed Dan Carter's kicking skills that earned him the International Rugby Board's (now known as World Rugby) Player of the Year in 2005, 2012 and 2015.
Byrne had been the All Blacks skills coach under head coaches Sir Graham Henry and Sir Steve Hansen when they won the 2011 and 2015 Rugby World Cups.
In 2019, he was the Wallabies skills coach under head coach Michael Cheika at the Rugby World Cup in Japan, where they reached the quarterfinals.
He has had coaching stints with Scotland and top European club Leinster.
Byrne was appointed the Fijian Drua head coach when they made their Super Rugby debut in 2022. It was not an easy task for him, to take this group of local-based players into a professional environment.
It came with its challenges but Byrne was able to understand them, their culture and was able to relate things with them. He was able to change their mindset and challenged them to perform to their best.
He has done wonders so far with the Drua, when they won two matches in their first year of Super Rugby competition and last year (second year) the Drua made it to the playoffs.
No other Super Rugby teams have ever achieved that.
This shows Byrne's maturity and calibre as a coach.
His father figure approach towards players helps bring about many positive changes in every aspect of their lives.
It's not an easy task but we're on track in developing our players to not only be good players but role models as well. This is what Fiji Rugby needs today.
Byrne is the right man for the job and he deservedly needs our support as he works towards building up the Flying Fijians become a formidable force in the rugby world.
Feedback: leonec@fijisun.com.fj
