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http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/...saders-in-super-rugby-match-in-fiji-next-year
Pretty cool to see!
The Chiefs are taking next year's home Super Rugby match against the Crusaders to Fiji.The franchise released details of the unique encounter on Friday afternoon, with the the teams to meet on Friday July 1 in the capital city, Suva.
It will be just the second time a Kiwi side has taken a game out of New Zealand, following the Crusaders' match against the Sharks in London in 2011, following the earthquake.
Chiefs chief executive Andrew Flexman said the fixture was the result of an extensive amount of work by a number of parties who were eager to have more top-class rugby in the Pacific Islands.
Promoter Fortress Information Systems (a New Zealand ticketing software and service company), along with the New Zealand Rugby Players Association, the players, and the Government of Fiji, all played a big part in getting the game off the ground, 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."
In Friday's national budget address, Fiji finance minister Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum said NZ$1.6 million had been allocated for hosting the match.
The fixture comes in the 15th round of 17 in the newly-designed Super Rugby competition, and is the first game after the three-weekend international break.
That would have been a key consideration, with the travel factor taken into account for both teams.
Ironically, the Crusaders were seriously considering the option of playing in Suva last year, when they looked to move a fixture against the Hurricanes which clashed with the Fifa U-20 World Cup. In the end they opted to play it in Nelson.
Both teams have Fijian connections in their squads. The Chiefs have dynamic midfielder Seta Tamanivalu, who made a handful of appearances in his first Super Rugby season last year, while Japan captain Michael Leitch has a Fijian mother. The Crusaders have Fijian internationals Nemani Nadolo and Ben Volavola in their ranks, along with Jone Macilai - who was born in Suva.
Suva's ANZ Stadium this year played host to the Maori All Blacks.
The Chiefs will soon announce exclusive 'Chiefs Road Crew' tour packages for fans to be a part of the special occasion, while all 2016 members will automatically go in the draw to win 'The Ultimate Chiefs Experience' - a trip for two to the match.
Meanwhile, the Chiefs also confirmed the venues for their other home matches.
New Plymouth's Yarrow Stadium hosted two games each of the past two years, and this season the Chiefs will play the Sharks there, in round 10, on Friday 29 April.
The other five home games will be played at Hamilton's FMG Stadium Waikato.
The Chiefs will also play two pre-season matches, both at home.
After this year playing two away pre-season games, the Chiefs will host the Waratahs and Blues, in the Bay of Plenty and Counties Manukau, respectively, with venues still to be confirmed.
Pretty cool to see!
