WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — Drua head coach Mick Byrne has been hired to guide the Fijian national men’s rugby team as part of an agreement which could see Fiji play in the upcoming Nations Championship.
In a statement Tuesday, Fiji Rugby said Byrne 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, represented by Nigel Cass and Simon Rawailui.
“World Rugby clarified that (Fiji’s) performance and ranking at the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France has put Fiji in strong position to be part of the Nations Championship competition commencing 2026 through to 2030,” Fiji Rugby said in a statement.
“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.”
Armenia's prime minister in Russia for talks amid strain in ties
Who is Mohammad Mustafa, the new Palestinian PM?
Parliament: Current caretaker role to continue until new government formed
Exploited migrants: New language rules may force workers still in debt to leave NZ
EU reaches a tentative deal on Ukraine aid coming from profits of frozen Russian assets
Taiwan's strongest earthquake in 25 years kills 9 people, 50 missing
Taiwan earthquake injuries top 1000, missing hotel workers found
Six children dead, 14 injured in Iraq road accident
Kai Cenat's riot charges dropped after he apologizes and pays for Union Square mayhem
Biden says he expects Iran to attack Israel soon, warns: 'Don't'