Former All Blacks and Wallabies skills coach Mick Byrne has been appointed as the new head coach of the Fijian Drua, to compete in the inaugural Super Rugby Pacific competition in 2022 and 2023.
Mick Byrne Photo: Photosport
Byrne's international coaching experience expands over a 23-year period, which includes two Rugby World Cups, five Tri-Nations titles, five Rugby Championships and 11 Bledisloe Cups with the All Blacks, as well as three Asian Cups and a Pacific Nations Cup with Japan.
He was the assistant skills coach for the All Blacks, the Wallabies, Japan and Scotland.
The Australian also brings with him Super Rugby experience as assistant coach of the Auckland Blues from 2012 to 2014.
Interim CEO Brian Thorburn said he was excited about what Byrne would bring to Fiji's inaugural Super Rugby team.
"We are absolutely delighted to have someone of Mick's calibre and experience as our foundation head coach," he said.
"He is a seasoned professional and shone through the intensive selection process by displaying real passion for the club and Fijian rugby."
"He's an incredible acquisition for us and we're very confident in his capacity. We wish him very very well as he launches into this new phase of his career."
Fijian Drua's new coach said he was honoured and proud to join the Fijian Drua vuvale on their maiden Super Rugby voyage.
Nacanieli Cawanibuka has been named as the teams head of athletic performance. Photo: Fiji Rugby
"I have followed and admired the way Fijian teams play the game over the course of my coaching career. It's a style of play that puts the joy of rugby at its core, and I'm very excited to help our club showcase this to the world when the new Super Rugby season starts," said Mick Byrne.
"None of us are under any illusions that it will be easy. We understand the challenges ahead of us in this first season, being based away from home. But within that challenge lies the opportunity to grow stronger as a team and a club."
It will be a brand of exciting Fijian rugby that players and fans love, he added.
"It will allow us to be patient with our players, help them find their own way and naturally grow into the game we want to play."
"It will be that brand of exciting Fijian rugby that our players and fans love, but with clinical aspects to it in both attack and defence. It will be hard work in our first two seasons, but the journey will be rewarding and enjoyable."
Fiji Rugby's high performance head of strength and conditioning, Nacanieli Cawanibuka, has also been named as the teams head of athletic performance.
Former All Blacks and Wallabies skills coach Mick Byrne has been appointed as the new head coach of the Fijian Drua. Photo: © Photosport Ltd 2010 www.photosport.nz
Brian Thorburn said Cawanibuka's work ethic discipline and commitment was world-class.
"Naca has worked tirelessly over the years to lead strength and conditioning for our sevens programmes which has resulted in two Olympic gold medal wins and numerous World Sevens Series titles."
"His credentials are globally recognised and he is a wonderful addition to Fiji's first professional Super Rugby Club."
Cawanibuka said the appointment was a dream come true.
"To compete with the best in professional rugby and work with the some of the best coaches, management and players in the sport, is the dream of a lifetime for any Fijian," he said.
"This is the beginning of a new era for Fijian rugby - a major milestone that has taken a quarter of a century to materialise."
"It is rewarding personally for me to see players coming through our various domestic pathways and witnessing Fijians returning home to be part of the squad. This is the culmination of the efforts of so many people over the years and it is important we acknowledge their labour and contribution."
The Fijian Drua will be based in Australia for its inaugural season in Super Rugby, and are scheduled to arrive mid-October.
Further coaching appointments will be announced in coming weeks.
