For the first time ever a Super Rugby match will be played in Fiji.
The Round 15 match between the Chiefs and the Crusaders will take place at ANZ Stadium, Suva on 1 July 2016 and forms part of the fixture for the regular 2016 season.
This was announced by Minister for Finance, Aiyaz Sayed‑Khaiyum, with an allocation of $2.3 million to fund hosting of Fiji’s 1st Super Rugby match in 2016.
This is only the second match to be played outside of Australia, New Zealand and South Africa, with the only other match being played at Twickenham in 2011.
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.
Fortress Information Systems Limited is the promoter of the match and works with a number of Super Rugby teams in New Zealand. Earlier this year in July 2015, Fortress brought the New Zealand Maori team to Fiji to play against the Fijian Rugby Team.
Fortress, a company incorporated in New Zealand, is a premiere event services and ticketing software development company which provides business solution to venues across the region for a wide range of concerts and sporting events.
Fortress has agreed to provide discounted tickets for Fijian citizens to witness this historic match and the match is an exciting opportunity to showcase Fiji as an attractive tourism destination and international world‑class sporting destination for future high‑caliber sporting events.
Founder and CEO of Fortress Matthew Davey says they are thrilled to be working with the Government of Fiji to help make this historic rugby match happen for the people of Fiji.
Davey says it is real credit to the vision and innovation of all of our partners in the Government of Fiji, Fiji Sports Council, The Chiefs, The Crusaders, New Zealand Rugby, New Zealand Rugby Players’ Association, SANZAR and Sky TV in backing this event and showcasing Fiji with the best rugby competition in the world.
