The Pacific Islands may yet get a taste of Super Rugby, with the Crusaders considering shifting their home match against the Hurricanes to Fiji next year.
The Fiji Village website reported that planning was underway for the seven-time Super Rugby champions to play the Hurricanes in Suva after a sponsor came forward to underwrite the move.
A Crusaders spokesman could not confirm the switch Thursday, saying there were a number of options under consideration with their usual second-choice home venues of Nelson and Timaru also in the mix.
“It’s too soon to comment on what may go ahead,” she said.
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The Crusaders are unable to use their regular home ground in Christchurch for the May 29 fixture because the date clashes with Under-20 soccer World Cup requirements at the same stadium.
Pacific island nations have been seeking a taste of Super Rugby for many years.
However, their hopes this year that a Singapore-based side drawing on Pacific islands talent would be included in the Southern Hemisphere competition were dashed when the vacant berth was awarded to a team from Japan.
The Crusaders have established a reputation for taking home matches out of their catchment area, even organising to play the Sharks at Twickenham following the 2011 devastating earthquakes in Christchurch.
They also have current close ties to Fiji, with blockbusting Fijian wing Nemani Nadolo a key member of their side.
Nadolo, the equal top try-scorer with the NSW Waratahs’ Israel Folau in the Super Rugby competition this year, was Wednesday named as one of three finalists for New Zealand’s Super Rugby Player of the Year award.
Meanwhile a Crusaders XI are preparing to take on the Todd Blackadder-led Tradies XI in the annual Crusaders Charity Cricket match next weekend.
The event has been running for more than thirty years and raises money for the Cystic Fibrosis Association of New Zealand.
This year for the first time Todd Blackadder will lead a team of construction workers, in a nod to the huge amount of work that they have been doing around the city since the earthquakes.
“We are looking to recruit our Tradies XI now, so if you’re a tradesman in Christchurch and a keen cricketer, text Toddy to 3520 with your name, age and trade for a chance to take on the Crusaders and help to raise some funds for an important cause,” Blackadder said.
“In previous years I’ve captained the All Stars XI, but frankly we haven’t won in a long time so I’m giving the celebrities a year off and recruiting some real workers for my team this year! I can’t wait to take on the Crusaders players and win this time,” Blackadder said.
The event will take place on Sunday 7 December at Christchurch Boys’ High School.
The event is free to attend but there will be opportunities to donate to the Cystic Fibrosis Association during the match and there will be a half time auction of signed sporting goods and other great donated items.