Byrne dedicates win to late dad

Swire Shipping Fijian Drua head coach Mick Byrne dedicated their 41-17 win over the Reds on Saturday to his late father who passed away on Friday.

Byrne left his family behind in Australia since taking up the role in September 2021 and took some time off from work last week to travel back to Australia and spent time with his family before returning for last Saturday’s all important match, which has booked a spot in the Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific quarter-finals for the first time in history.

“I want to thank the skipper Meli Derenalagi and the players, the coaching staff and management for giving me the opportunity to go home this week and spend a few days with my dad,” said Byrne.

“Unfortunately he passed away on Friday and these boys got around me when I got back to Fiji.

“I left my family in Australia and I came back to my family in Fiji. I just want to thank them for giving me the opportunity to do that, to go and spend some quality time.

“I will forever be indebted to them for that. “Vinaka.”