Super Rugby extends to Fiji

The Round 15 clash - the first SANZAR-sanctioned fixture in Fiji - will take place at Suva's ANZ Stadium on July 1, the South Africa, New Zealand and Australia Rugby body said.

"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," Chiefs chief executive Andrew Flexman said in a statement.

"This is a great opportunity to take the Chiefs to Fiji and help promote the game in their country."

Crusaders' administrators wanted to play a match against the Hurricanes in Fiji during the 2015 season but players, led by star flyhalf Dan Carter, opposed the move.

Carter, who has now left the Crusaders, said they preferred to play in front of their own fans and were worried that overseas travel would leave them drained. The fixture ended up being played in Nelson.

Flexman said the latest proposal had the backing of players and the New Zealand Rugby Players Association.

Agence France-Presse