Drua head coach Mick Byrne has been hired to guide the Fijian national men's rugby team as part of an agreement that could see Fiji play in the Nations Championship.
In a statement on Tuesday, Fiji Rugby said the veteran Australian coach had been appointed after an "extensive and rigorous selection and negotiation process". That included discussions between Fiji Rugby, Fiji government ministers and sports officials and World Rugby.
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"World Rugby clarified that (Fiji's) performance and ranking at the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France has put Fiji in a strong position to be part of the Nations Championship competition commencing 2026 through to 2030," Fiji Rugby said.
"It would be detrimental to Fiji's participation in the Nations Championship, in the 2024 Olympics, in Super Rugby Pacific, the 2027 Rugby World Cup and the rest of the World Sevens Series ... if the best qualified and proven coaches are not appointed to Fiji's high-performance national teams."
It said an opportunity now exists for further investment by World Rugby in Fiji's high-performance unit and programs that will help the country prepare for the Nations Championship.
The plan is for Fiji to be included in a 12-team competition of Tier One nations made up of the Six Nations (Ireland, France, Wales, Scotland, Italy and England), the SANZAR teams (Australia, New Zealand, Argentina and South Africa), Japan and Fiji.
"The importance of that opportunity to Fiji Rugby, the Fiji government and all Fijians is astronomical," Fiji Rugby said.
"It guarantees engaging in a high-level competition and potentially hosting five to six Test matches against Tier One nations each year between 2026 and 2030."
Byrne's appointment was conditional on receiving a long-term work permit, which the veteran Australian coach was granted on Monday by the Fiji Ministry of Immigration.
Fiji Rugby said it was delighted to have secured a coach of Bryne's calibre. As an assistant coach, Byrne had a hand in New Zealand's World Cup wins in 2011 and 2015. He also has been an assistant coach of the Wallabies and Scotland.
"World Rugby emphasised that Fiji playing Tier One nations on a regular basis as opposed to playing Tier Two nations will only be a reality if the investment in Fiji Rugby's high performance by World Rugby is protected through the appointment of the best coaches to coach Fiji's national teams through a robust, fair, transparent and independent process," Fiji Rugby said.
It said Byrne "brings a deep understanding and love for Fijian rugby, proven by the progress and achievements of the ... Fijian Drua".
Byrne will continue as head coach of the Drua for the rest of the Super Rugby Pacific season, while also preparing Fiji for a Test against the All Blacks in San Diego in July, and for other mid-year Tests and an end-of-year tour to Europe.
“Everybody here at the Drua is delighted that Mick has been appointed to the national team as head coach. He’s done a terrific job here at the Drua, and we’re sure that he will do the same for the Flying Fijians," Drua CEO Mark Evans said.
"We are also very confident that he will be completely focused on the remainder of the SRP season whilst he’s still with us. Once that is completed, hopefully some time into June, he will be able to give the national team his full focus and attention.
"The Fijian Drua will now undertake a process to appoint Mick's replacement in the coming months."
