![](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1_GettyImages-2182539269.jpg\")
<\/p>\nA statement has been issued confirming the news<\/p>\n
Byrne has left his role with immediate effect(Image: Euan Cherry\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n
Fiji head coach Mick Byrne has resigned from his position with immediate effect, 18 months out from next year’s Rugby World Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n The 67-year-old took over as national team boss in 2024, having previously led the Fijian Drua side in their first three seasons in Super Rugby Pacific.<\/p>\n However, he has now walked away from the role following a disagreement over a “new direction” for the team, leaving the Fiji Rugby Union needing to fill the role ahead of the World Cup.<\/p>\n A statement was issued by the union on Wednesday, confirming that Byrne was leaving with immediate effect.<\/p>\n JOIN OUR WALES RUGBY FACEBOOK PAGE Latest news, analysis and much more<\/a><\/p>\n “The FRU today announced that, by mutual agreement, head coach Mick Byrne will step down from his role, effective immediately,” the statement read.<\/p>\n “Following discussions about the future direction of the Flying Fijian programme, both parties concluded that it is in the best interests of Fiji Rugby to part ways.<\/p>\n “Under his guidance, from the Fijian Drua to the Flying Fijians, we have seen growth, resilience, and a commitment to the white jersey that will serve us well moving forward.”<\/p>\n Download WalesOnline’s mobile app for our best reading experience for subscribers<\/a><\/p>\n Confirming his departure, Byrne said it \u200chad been \u2060an honour to work as a head coach in Fijian rugby for half a decade.<\/p>\n “I have been overwhelmed by the support of the world’s best fans during my five-year involvement – their warmth and welcome have meant a great deal to me,” he said.<\/p>\n “I remain fully committed to the game and wish Fiji Rugby every success moving forward.”<\/p>\n In their statement, the FRU confirmed that former Fiji flanker Senirusi Seruvakula – who has led the women’s national side since 2020 – had been appointed as acting coach until a permanent replacement is found.<\/p>\n Byrne’s departure comes ahead of Fiji’s visit to Cardiff<\/a> on July 4, as they take on Wales in their opener to the inaugural Nations Championship.<\/p>\n The match, which is to be held a week after Wales’ double-header clash with the Barbarians at Twickenham, will take place at the Cardiff City Stadium in a first for the men’s national side.<\/p>\n Follow all of our channels to ensure you stay up to date with the latest Welsh rugby news. Sign up to our free daily newsletter here<\/a> and our WhatsApp channel here<\/a> for all the breaking news.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"A statement has been issued confirming the news Byrne has left his role with immediate effect(Image: Euan Cherry\/Getty…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":507365,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[35],"tags":[94903,5903,101,56,54,55,9015],"class_list":{"0":"post-507364","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-rugby","8":"tag-fiji-rugby-team","9":"tag-rugby","10":"tag-sports","11":"tag-uk","12":"tag-united-kingdom","13":"tag-unitedkingdom","14":"tag-wales-rugby-team"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/507364","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=507364"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/507364\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/507365"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=507364"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=507364"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=507364"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}