Fiji Water Flying Fijians head coach Mick Byrne has embraced his life and rugby career in Fiji, where he has found a new home. Originally hailing from Manly in Sydney, Australia, Byrne has traveled extensively in his rugby journey, but Fiji has truly captivated him.
Byrne appreciates the opportunity to immerse himself in Fijian culture, allowing him to foster meaningful relationships with both his players and the community around him. “Based in Fiji now, this is my primary residence. When I go back to Australia, I’m Airbnb-ing, so I feel firmly entrenched in Fiji and I’m loving my time here,” he shared.
In addition to his professional commitments, Byrne has embraced village life in Sikituru Village near Nadi, deepening his connection with those he coaches. He firmly believes that comprehending the community’s ethos is critical for coaching Fijian rugby players effectively.
Professionally, Byrne was attracted to leading the Drua’s inaugural Super Rugby Pacific campaign due to its start-up nature that required foundational development. He noted, “One of my driving forces for joining the Drua was that it was a start-up program. A lot of development work was required, and that’s what I’ve cut my teeth on in the game.”
Despite facing challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, where players struggled with structured training, Byrne was inspired by their resilience and dedication. He noted, “What impressed me massively was how hard and resilient they were towards work. They just kept fronting up every day, and that was the inspiring part.”
Byrne acknowledged that while the squad possessed abundant raw talent, there was a notable learning curve in developing core technical skills. However, he praised the players’ instinctive ability to maintain the ball and play fluidly, which he perceives as a unique Fijian attribute.
He explained the significance of ‘vuvale’, translating to a sense of togetherness, saying, “It’s about the relationships you have with people around you, respecting and caring for everyone, and that’s taken on a much broader meaning for me since coming to Fiji.”
As Mick Byrne continues to lead the Flying Fijians, his deepening attachment to Fiji and its culture is proving to be a solid foundation for success, both on the international stage and within the rugby community.