Bryne Tipped for Flying Fijians Coaching Job

Mick Byrne is expected to be named the new Flying Fijians head coach. This was confirmed by well-placed sources at the Fiji Rugby Union with the official announcement set for next week.

In an interview with SUNsports on Monday, Minister for Youth and Sports Jese Saukuru said: “We have met with World Rugby, and we would love to see the best to take up the post of head coach of the Flying Fijians.

“There are only two left so we’ll decide on the two but there are some technical issues that we need to sort out from the government side.”

The two contenders of the job are acting Flying Fijians head coach Senirusi Seruvakula and Byrne who is the current Swire Shipping Fijian Drua head coach.

The 66-year-old Byrne was the All Blacks skills coach when they won the 2011 and 2015 Rugby World Cups.

Coming from an AFL (Australian Football League) background, he was dubbed ‘Mick the Kicker’ and helped perfect Dan Carter’s kicking skills.

He was also the Wallabies and Scotland’s skills coach as well. He also worked with top European clubs Leinster before becoming the Drua head coach for the Super Rugby Pacific.

In its first year, the Drua set a record by winning two Super Rugby matches and last season (second year) reached the playoffs.

Seruvakula is expected to continue coaching the Fijian Warriors as they prepare for the World Rugby Pacific Challenge to be played in Apia, Samoa, from April 10-20.

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