No decision yet if Fiji will host Crusaders-Hurricanes match

The Tasman Rugby Union is still hoping to attract the Crusaders to Nelson despite speculation the Super Rugby franchise wants to stage a game in Fiji next season.

Crusaders Chief Executive Hamish Riach last night insisted no decision had been made on where to host the May 29th match against the Hurricanes.

Media reports yesterday claimed the Crusaders planned to take the game to Fiji after unnamed backers agreed to underwrite the cost.

The reports said the Crusaders are considering staging the game at Nelson's Trafalgar Park or Alpine Energy Stadium in Timaru, but approached Super 15 tournament organisers after a sponsor offered to back a game in Fiji, most probably at Suva's 20,000‑capacity ANZ Stadium.

But Riach refused to confirm it.

He declined to say if Fiji and Nelson are vying for the game.

Riach added that the Crusaders had to move the game from Christchurch because AMI Stadium is required for the FIFA under‑20 men's World Cup football tournament, being held in New Zealand from May 30th to June 20th.

FIFA rules require the stadium to be exclusively available 10 days before the first match.

The Crusaders cannot offer to switch the Hurricanes game to Wellington because Westpac Stadium is also being used for the football tournament.

Riach said the Crusaders were considering their options but he could not say when a decision would be made.