Highlanders versus Chiefs set for Suva

Cape Town - The Highlanders will play a Super Rugby game in Suva, Fiji against New Zealand rivals the Chiefs on Saturday, June 30, the franchise has announced.

Both the Chiefs and Crusaders have participated in games there over recent years, as well as the Blues staging a fixture in Samoa this year.

The matches are generally viewed as a way of supporting and growing rugby in the Pacific Islands, read a statement from the Highlanders.

Highlanders CEO Roger Clark said: “We view the game in Fiji as an opportunity to broaden the appeal of Super Rugby. We are aware of the large following Super Rugby enjoys in Fiji and we are happy to have the chance to showcase our style of game in the islands; we are grateful to the Fijian Government and Fortress Information Systems for extending the invitation. Fiji has produced so many great players including our own Waisake Naholo; it will be a great experience for him and all the players."

Head coach Aaron Mauger added: “We will certainly embrace this opportunity as a team; it’s a different challenge but potentially an exciting one. There have been some great Super Rugby games in Fiji over the last few years and against the Chiefs we will obviously have to be at our best; but we know to be successful in Super Rugby, you have to be prepared to play anyone, anywhere, at any time."