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From the VFL to Fijian rugby, Mick Byrne rates his latest feat among the most special after the Drua earned a Super Rugby Pacific finals berth and dedicated it to the Australian coach’s late father.
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The Drua ran rampant in the second half on Saturday in Suva, scoring 24 unanswered points to beat the Queensland Reds 41-17 and guarantee themselves a place in the quarter-finals.
It was the Fijian side’s sixth win in their second campaign, and their fifth from six on home soil after a debut season that yielded just two wins while based in northern NSW due to COVID-19 restrictions.
They’ll play either the Chiefs or the Crusaders in a knockout quarter-final after a stirring victory the side dedicated to Byrne and his family.
“Not forgetting our coach, coach Mick; he’s going through a hard obstacle in his life, the passing away of his father,” captain Meli Derenalagi said post-game.
“The game we played today, we dedicate to him, to touch his heart and g ive him some happiness.”
Byrne, a former Australian rules talent who transitioned into rugby as an in-demand kicking coach for heavyweight Test nations, has lapped up the experience at the helm of Pasifika rugby’s feel-good story.
“When you have a program that’s built around faith and family, you certainly realise what it means to people when something happens to you,” he said.
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“My family’s been awesome; Dad was a great mentor and I’m really pleased we were able to put a performance in after the week we had.
“It’s a pretty special moment this one. We’ve come from a long way back. It’s a great night for us.”
Congrats to all involved with the Drua. Hope they go really well at the RWC.