'They knew that': Fiji rugby's former coach rejects health claims behind his departure

Former Flying Fijians coach Mick Byrne has rejected claims that ongoing health issues led to his departure.

The 67-year-old says the Fiji Rugby Union (FRU) knew he was fit to continue and that he was removed so the union could "move in a new direction".

The Australian coach has spoken publicly for the first time since Fiji Rugby announced in April that both parties had "mutually agreed to part ways", ending Byrne's tenure 18 months before the 2027 Rugby World Cup.

Koli Sewabu, FRU's chief executive, had said the decision followed discussions between Byrne and the union, resulting in a mutual agreement.

"Mick has been fully committed to his role and remains dedicated to the players and staff," Sewabu said. "Out of respect for the team and to ensure the programme can continue in the direction that Fiji Rugby has set for the future, Mick and Fiji Rugby have decided to part ways so FRU can move forward."

At the time, the decision surprised many rugby fans across the Pacific.

Under Byrne, Fiji won the 2025 Pacific Nations Cup title, beat Scotland, pushed Australia to the brink in Newcastle and produced competitive performances against England and France.

But Byrne says health was not the reason he left. “I just want to clear the air on my situation, I didn’t resign, and I do not have any ongoing health issues,” Byrne told Nine.com.au.

His comments come after Fiji Rugby chairman John Sanday reportedly cited Byrne's health when discussing the coaching change and wished him well with his "ongoing health battles".

Byrne, who has managed prostate cancer for several years and underwent minor procedures over the past year, said he has since been medically cleared.

Mick Byrne guided Fiji to a Pacific Nations Cup title and a series of strong performances against top-tier opposition before leaving his role as national coach in April. Photo/Facebook/Fiji Rugby/Mark Coe

“The chairman coming out, he was respectful in what he said but he was just incorrect. I don’t have any ongoing health battles, and they knew that.

“It’s challenged me around future earnings. I don’t want to harp on it too much because it just fuels a bit of that fire, and I want to continue working.”

Byrne said the public explanation led many people to believe he had chosen to leave because of illness.

“I was just disappointed that it was mentioned that I resigned because of ongoing health issues.

Watch where it all started for the Flying Fijians as they prepare for the upcoming Nations Championships below.

“That’s not the case at all. I was removed from my role so that Fiji Rugby could move in a new direction.”

The former coach said players were also confused by the announcement. “I had players ringing me saying, ‘Why am I walking away'?”

He said many players felt he had chosen to leave the programme, which created uncertainty within the squad.

The situation also led to awkward conversations with supporters across Fiji.

“When I went to the Highlanders game in Ba, there was a great number of people who came up to me and were very sympathetic towards me and basically saying, ‘We’re praying for you coach, we hope everything’s well and we wish you all the best, we know you’re not well'.

Fiji will now continue its preparations for the 2027 Rugby World Cup under new leadership, with hopes high the Flying Fijians can build on their recent success on the international stage. Photo/Facebook/Fiji Rugby

“I felt like a bit of an imposter telling them there was nothing wrong with me.”

Despite his departure, Byrne remains confident Fiji can challenge at next year's Rugby World Cup in Australia.

The Flying Fijians reached the quarter-finals at the 2023 World Cup and Byrne believes the current squad is capable of making another deep run if it builds on the progress made over the past two seasons.

He says he is focused on the next chapter of his coaching career but wanted to make one thing clear. “I’m actually 100 per cent good.”

Photo/Facebook/Fiji Rugby

Meanwhile, Fiji Rugby has confirmed a 32-man Flying Fijians squad for July’s Nations Championship tour of Europe.

Acting head coach Senirusi Seruvakula said the squad combines experience with form players, as Fiji prepares for Tests against Wales (4 July) in Cardiff, England (11 July) in Liverpool, and Scotland (18 July) in Edinburgh.

The 2027 Rugby World Cup will be held from 1 October to 13 November across seven cities in Australia.