Super Rugby match in Fiji approved by Crusaders board

Fiji is getting closer to host the Super Rugby match between the Hurricanes and the Crusaders next season as it has been approved by the Crusaders board.

But the Crusaders board is yet to convince the New Zealand Players’ Association, which remains concerned about the fixture.

The match, likely to be held at Suva’s ANZ Stadium on May 26th next year, is seen by the Crusaders’ administration as a lucrative way of capitalising on the fact that AMI Stadium will not be available because of the FIFA Under-20 World Cup to be held in New Zealand in May and June.

New Zealand Herald has reported that the Crusaders are yet to announce the venue of the match, but it is understood that an unnamed sponsor has agreed to underwrite the Fiji trip and that the Fijian Government has also promised the Crusaders a financial reward.

The Crusaders and Hurricanes match could involve at least 20 All Blacks, including Captain Richie McCaw, Kieran Read, Dan Carter, Sam Whitelock, Ryan Crotty, Owen Franks and Luke Romano while Beauden Barrett, Ma'a Nonu, Conrad Smith and Julian Savea may play for Hurricanes.

New Zealand Players’ Association chief executive Rob Nichol will talk to the players later in the week about the arrangement and a final decision is expected to made before the end of this month.

The Crusaders other home options are Timaru’s Alpine Energy Stadium and Nelson’s Trafalgar Park.

Source: NZ Herald