Fiji’s two cities, Suva and Lautoka have been confirmed as host venues of the Fijian Drua’s six home Super Rugby Pacific 2023 matches at ticket prices that will be “very comparable” to last season.
With plans to have the Swire Shipping sponsored based out of Nadi, their preparation to host the six games at the HFC Bank Stadium in Suva and Churchill Park in Lautoka including the matches against 2022 champs Crusaders and runners-up, the Blues, has been boosted via local supermarket chain, Shop N Save.
Shop N Save expands support for Fijian Drua
Shop N Save not only renewed their partnership with the club for a new three-year term but has also signed on as competition sponsors in the Fiji territory next season which will be called the Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific.
Speaking at the sponsorship announcement in Suva, Fijian Drua CEO Brian Thorburn said: “This is one of our most significant sponsorship announcements to date, and we are honored to have Shop N Save Supermarket elevate their support of both the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua and Fijian Rugby. The prominence of taking on the naming rights of the Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific and the importance of their investment cannot be emphasised enough – it is a massive boost for the sport that Fijians love, and for the competition they closely follow. We thank Shop N Save Supermarket for their generosity. With six Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific matches to be held in Fiji, this is the perfect time to align with Fijian rugby and the Drua.”
“Shop N Save Supermarket has also renewed its playing kit sponsorship of the Drua, really reaffirming support to our Club. Shop N Save Supermarket are deeply connected to their Fijian roots just like the Drua, and their commitment will help us provide our players with the resources they need to compete in the toughest competition in the world.”
Shop N Save Executive Director Nisheel Kisun added: “Thank you all for being part of today’s signing of the Fijian Drua Sponsorship Agreement between Counter Ruck and Kalabo Investment PTE Limited trading as Shop N Save Supermarket. Today marks the continuation and a significant build-up of a partnership that began last season between the Fijian Drua and Shop N Save Supermarket. We are extremely delighted to be the very first organisation to take the competition naming rights for the Super Rugby Pacific in the Fiji territory for the 2023 season. We have also renewed our Drua playing Kit sponsorship and continue to proudly be the official supermarket of the Fijian Drua.”
“Rugby is at the very heart of our society and if last season is anything to go by; the Fijian Drua have the incredible power to unite every Fijian to celebrate our rugby heroes. It is therefore fitting that as a 100% Fijian-owned business, Shop N Save Supermarket continues to play its part to grow and nurture that patriotic spirit.”
Selection of Venue Rationale
In the new season, the six home games in Fiji will be split evenly between the Capital – Suva – and our second city – Lautoka, just 30 minutes from Nadi International Airport.
Thorburn said: “The matches will be held between the two major sporting venues in Fiji, to allow fans across the country to enjoy the competition. Both Suva and Lautoka have easy access to fans from Vanua Levu and the islands, while Lautoka is ideally positioned for matches we believe will have significant interest from visiting fans and Fijians alike. We are working closely with Fiji Airways and Tourism Fiji to create new visitor business which will be of tremendous benefit to our country.”
2023 Squad
Aside from 29-year-old Mesake Doge, who was also at the announcement today, and 7s gold medallist and Melrose Cup champs Iosefo Masi joining the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua 2023 playing roster, the club has three of four more openings that will be announced later.
Fixtures:
●Round 1: Moana Pasifika v Fijian Drua, 25 February 2023, Mt Smart Stadium, Auckland – 4.35pm (local) / 3:35pm (Fiji)
●Round 2: Fijian Drua v Waratahs, AAMI Park, Melbourne, 7.45pm (local) / 8.45pm (Fiji)
●Round 3: Fijian Drua v Crusaders, 11 March 2023, Churchill Park, Lautoka –3.35pm (Fiji)
●Round 4: Reds v Fijian Drua, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane – 3pm (local) / 5pm (Fiji)
●Round 5: Highlanders v Fijian Drua, Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin – 4.35pm (local) / 3.35pm (Fiji)
●Round 6: Fijian Drua v Rebels, 1 April 2023, HFC Bank Stadium, Suva – 3.35pm (Fiji)
●Round 7: Bye
●Round 8: Brumbies v Fijian Drua, GIO Stadium, Canberra – 7:35pm (local) / 9:35pm (Fiji)
●Round 9: Chiefs v Fijian Drua, FMG Stadium, Waikato, Hamilton – 7.05pm (local)/ 7.05pm (Fiji)
●Round 10: Fijian Drua v Blues, 29 April 2023, Churchill Park, Lautoka – 12.05pm (local) / 2.05pm (Fiji)
●Round 11: Fijian Drua v Hurricanes, 6 May 2023, HFC Bank Stadium, Suva –2.05pm (Fiji)
●Round 12: Force v Fijian Drua, HBF Park, Perth – 5.35pm (local) / 9.35pm (Fiji)
●Round 13: Waratahs v Fijian Drua, Allianz Stadium, Sydney – 7.45pm (local) / 9.45pm (Fiji)
●Round 14: Fijian Drua v Moana Pasifika, 27 May 2023, Churchill Park, Lautoka – 2.05pm (Fiji)
●Round 15: Fijian Drua v Reds, 3 June 2023, HFC Bank Stadium, Suva – 4:45pm (Fiji)
