Former Flying Fijians head coach Mick Byrne
Photo: Fiji Rugby
Former Flying Fijians head coach Mick Byrne and the Fiji Rugby Union (FRU) disagree over the circumstances surrounding their split.
The FRU announced in early April that Byrne, who took over as the Fiji men’s XVs team coach in 2024, had resigned “in the best interests” of both parties.
“It has been an honour to work with the Flying Fijians players and staff,” Byrne was quoted as saying in a FRU statement at the time.
However, he has now come out against his former employer, saying the union lied about the reason for his removal. He has also rejected claims he was stood down because of illness.
He told Nine.com.au in Australia this week he had been medically cleared to continue in the role and had no ongoing health issues.
He wanted to lead the Flying Fijians to the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia and was disappointed by claims he stepped down because of ongoing health problems, he told the Australian outlet.
But FRU board chairman John Sanday said the union stands by its decision to remove Byrne because of the health challenges he faced.
Sanday said the FRU was disappointed Byrne had chosen to criticise the union in an Australian media interview.
Byrne told Nine.com.au he was moved on by the FRU and that he is cancer free.
The former All Blacks kicking coach was signed on as coach until December 2027, and was to take Fiji to next year’s Rugby World Cup.
He was replaced by Flying Fijians assistant coach Senirusi Seruvakula.
“I just want to clear the air on my situation, I didn’t resign, and I don’t have any ongoing health issues,” Byrne told Nine.com.au.
“The chairman coming out, he was respectful in what he said but he was just incorrect. I don’t have any ongoing health battles, and they knew that.
“It’s challenged me around future earnings. I don’t want to harp on it too much because it just fuels a bit of that fire, and I want to continue working.
“I was just disappointed that it was mentioned that I resigned because of ongoing health issues. That’s not the case at all. I was removed from my role so that Fiji Rugby could move in a new direction.”
The former Australian Football player said he is still interested to work and the 67-year-old has recently spent time with the Melbourne Storm and will be an observer with the NSW Blues ahead of State of Origin II next week.
FRU stands firm
Sanday said they stand by what they had agreed with Byrne and would not divulge information as the former coach had requested.
He said they are moving forward and not looking back at the past.
“FRU stands by the decision we took,” Sanday told RNZ Pacific in a statement.
“It was not taken lightly. We have also respected his request to keep things low key and confidential.
“We will stick to what we agreed to. It is unfortunate he is choosing to make these public claims now. FRU has moved on and moving forward.”
Sanday said the FRU and the Fiji’s rugby public are focused on the upcoming Nations Championship series, where the Flying Fijians will meet Wales, England and Scotland in July.
“We have our important three home games starting in about 24 days’ time,” he said.
“We are focusing on giving full support to the team and team officials to achieve maximum success.
“We have positive announcements coming out in the next week, we will focus on the future and leave the past in the past. We wish Mick all the very best.”
In the April announcement, Sanday also revealed the FRU will continue to work with Byrne on other programmes, using his experience and knowledge.
World Cup hopes
Meanwhile, despite the falling out Byrne is still hopeful the Flying Fijians will do well at the Rugby World Cup.
He believes the team is on the easier side of the draw and their recent forms against England, Wales and Australia augurs well for the side moving forward.
“They’ve got to beat Spain, Canada and Argentina, and that route after winning that pool is very, very achievable,” he told Nine.com.au.
“If they win their pool, they’re going to miss the top three teams in the world, which is a pretty handy side (of the draw) to be on.”
Current coach Seruvakula has been given the opportunity to prove his worth in the top job, with the FRU revealing a good record at the Nations Championship can cement his appointment in the role.
Seruvakula, who is well-known as a strict disciplinarian, has named a 32-member squad to prepare for the upcoming games.
He has also told the local media in Fiji that players who fail the fitness test that will be conducted when the team march into camp in Wales later this month will be sent back home, without a second chance.
