The Drua handed Melbourne Rebels a 31-26 defeat in their third appearance in this year’s newly expanded Super Rugby championship, and Byrne is confident the ramifications will go far beyond the annual competition.“I think it’s going to be great,” Byrne said after the game on the Sunshine Coast.
“They’re going to become better at understanding the get up and go in Super Rugby: train every day, prepare themselves and they’re going to be match fit and match hardened and I think it’s going to really benefit the national team moving forward. The Drua are one of two new teams, alongside Moana Pasifika, to join Super Rugby this season as the competition shifts some of its focus towards the Pacific Islands.