Mick ‘The Kick’ Byrne has won an AFL premiership and two Rugby World Cups while working with the All Blacks and Wallabies.
But leading the Fijian Drua into the Super Rugby arena for the first time in Parramatta tonight will be every bit as meaningful and special for the former Hawthorn ruckman.
“I’m massively proud to be part of this,” the inaugural Drua head coach told Stan Sport’s Rugby Heaven last night.
Super Rugby Pacific kicks off this weekend with Waratahs vs Drua, Chiefs vs Highlanders, Crusaders vs Hurricanes, Reds vs Rebels and Brumbies vs Force – all streaming ad-free, live and on demand only on Stan Sport
“There’s been some tension around the week but these guys just look forward to it. You can’t get the smile off their faces no matter how hard they’re working.
“There’s a lot of history behind the team and the amount of time it’s taken to come into Super Rugby. They’ve left their families, there’s a lot of families back on the island, they’re proud people around representing their country and their families.
“But also they want to do well for themselves. It is going to be pretty special for a lot of people.”
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COVID-19 roadblocks meant the Drua – who played in Australia’s National Rugby Championship before graduating to Super Rugby Pacific – have based themselves in NSW’s Lennox Head, rather than Suva, to prepare for the big dance.
Despite knocking over the Melbourne Rebels in a trial game last week, the Fijians start big underdogs against a Waratahs side that failed to win a game last year.
“We’re not at home, it’s (Lennox Head) a beautiful place but it’s not home. We’re finding our own way of doing that,” Byrne said.
“I know the Australian teams are going to be very fit and physical. For us it’s been about getting the conditioning up to match the skill levels so we can hang in there when the game is on the line. They’ve worked very hard to get there.”
Byrne joked that he hadn’t worn shoes for three months as he ingratiated himself into the Fijian way of life.
“The big thing is trying to keep relaxed which has been difficult for me, the first couple of months. I put these (shoes) on today and I think I’ve got blisters already.
“They’re brand new but haven’t been out of the box… I like to get stuck into the detail and am learning how to take a step back from that and let things unfold.
“It’s been a challenge for me but I’ve got great coaches around me and the players have been very supportive with that process.
“We’re finding a happy medium between getting the detail into us but also keeping a great picture on the way we want to play.”
Byrne picked out flankers Meli Derenalagi – an Olympic gold medallist who “runs on air” – and the “pretty special” Kitione Salawa as Drua players to watch.
“But there’s 15 that can do something. I look at all the guys who have worked so hard, November-December, some of the stuff we were doing, they just kept getting up and going again.
“At the end of it all they’ve still got a smile on their face and just so proud that they’re going to get a chance to show the world what they can do.”
WARATAHS vs DRUA, Friday 7.45pm AEDT in Sydney
WARATAHS (15-1): Alex Newsome, Dylan Pietsch, Izaia Perese, Lalakai Foketi, James Turner, Ben Donaldson, Jake Gordon (c), Will Harris, Charlie Gamble, Lachie Swinton, Geoff Cridge, Jed Holloway, Harry Johnson-Holmes, Dave Porecki, Angus Bell
Reserves: Tom Horton, Tetera Faulkner, Tiaan Tauakipulu, Hugh Sinclair, Carlo Tizzano, Henry Robertson, Tane Edmed, Jamie Roberts
DRUA (15-1): Selesitino Ravutaumada, Kitione Ratu, Apisalome Vota, Kalaveti Ravouvou, Vinaya Hobosi, Baden Kerr, Simione Kuruvoli, Nemani Nagusa (c), Kitione Salawa, Meli Derenalagi, Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta, Isoa Nasilasila, Samuela Tawake, Tevita Ikanivere, Jone Koroiduadua
Reserves: Mesulame Dolokoto, Timoci Sauvoli, Manasa Saulo, Viliame Rarasea, Vilive Miramira, Peni Matawalu, Caleb Muntz, Onisi Ratave
https://twitter.com/StanSportAU/status/1494518283436969993?s=20&t=5AGAOC2APto7vNg_hasNAA
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