Byrne Replaces Raiwalui

Mick Byrne is the new Flying Fijians head coach.

This was confirmed yesterday by the Fiji Rugby Union Interim Trustees after Byrne has accepted his appointment. He takes over from Simon Raiwalui who resigned last December.

The FRU press release said the appointment was after an extensive rigorous selection and negotiation process.

Application for Byrne’s long-term work permit was granted by the Department for Immigration on Monday, April 15.

Byrne is the current head coach of the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua and brings a wealth of international experience to the role, coaching at Test match level with Scotland, Japan, the Wallabies and the All Blacks.

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 him 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, Government, Fiji Rugby and ONOC (Oceania National Olympic Committees) in May 2023.

Fiji Rugby stated in a meeting convened in Suva between World Rugby representatives Nigel Cass and Raiwalui, Siromi Turaga as Minister for Justice, Jese Saukuru as Minister for Youth and Sports, Fiji Rugby represented by the interim Board of Trustees and ONOC representative Cathy Wong, it was resolved that it is in the best interests of Fiji Rugby, that Byrne be the head coach of the Flying Fijians.

Feedback: ioane.asioli@fijisun.com.fj