Fiji Water Flying Fijians Head Coach Mick Byrne expressed his frustration regarding the officiating in their recent match, particularly highlighting an incident involving Ireland’s Sam Pendergast. During a post-match press conference, Byrne remarked that despite Pendergast’s shoulder contact with Kitione Salawa, the referee issued only a yellow card, prompting him to quip that the decision was influenced by Pendergast wearing a green jersey.
Byrne also acknowledged that Fiji’s high penalty count in the first half was a result of their own mistakes, emphasizing that their eagerness to perform contributed to the situation. “It was definitely on us,” he said, indicating that they need to improve their discipline on the field moving forward.
By reinforcing responsibility on his team’s actions rather than blaming the referee, Byrne demonstrates a constructive approach to growth and improvement. This acknowledgment sets a positive tone for future matches, suggesting that with better self-discipline and focus, Fiji can enhance their performance and turn their fortunes around.
In summary, while frustrations with officiating are common in sports, Coach Byrne is looking at the bigger picture, focusing on personal accountability and the potential for better results ahead.
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