Fiji to host Super 15 clash

SUVA – The Chiefs will host the Crusaders in Suva during the Super Rugby competition next year.

The venue for the round 15 match on July 1st is the approximately 20,000-seat ANZ Stadium in Suva.

The Fiji government have announced they have budgeted money for the clash in the capital, which will be classed as a home game for the Chiefs.

In his national budget address, the Fiji Finance Minister Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum said the government had allocated NZ$1.6 million for the hosting of the match.

The Crusaders will have the likes of Flying Fijians Nemani Nadolo and Ben Volavola along with Jone Macilai, while the Chiefs’ Fiji connection includes Seta Tamanivalu and Japan’s Fiji-born skipper, Michael Leitch.

“We know how much the Pacific island people love their rugby and this year’s test match between Manu Samoa and the All Blacks was testament to that,” Chiefs CEO Andrew Flexman said.

“This is a great opportunity to take the Gallagher Chiefs to Fiji and help promote the game in their country.

“Fijians have added a huge amount to New Zealand’s rugby heritage and it is fitting that we can give something back as well as expose our brand in a new territory.”

The only other New Zealand Super Rugby game to have been played overseas was the Crusaders against the Sharks in London in 2011, following the devastating earthquake in Christchurch.

- RNZI