Super Rugby
Chiefs to host Crusaders in Fiji
ESPN Staff Writers
November 6, 2015
Michael Leitch, Bjorn Basson
Michael Leitch and the Chiefs are headed for the Pacific© AFP PHOTO / Fiona Goodall

Super Rugby is heading to Fiji in 2016, with the Chiefs to host their Round 15 match against the Crusaders at ANZ Stadium in Fiji on Friday 1 July 2016.

Chiefs chief executive Andrew Flexman said the fixture was the result of work by "multiple parties", including the Fijian government and the New Zealand Rugby Players' Association, who were eager to stage more top-class rugby in the Pacific Islands.

"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," Flexman said in a statement released by the Chiefs. "This is a great opportunity to take the 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 Crusaders investigated the possibility of staging a Super Rugby fixture in Fiji in 2015, citing "compelling aspects to that option" with AMI Stadium unavailable due to the FIFA Under-20 Football World Cup, but the Canterbury-based franchise decided in the end to host the Hurricanes at Trafalgar Park in Nelson.

© ESPN Staff Writers

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