Fijian Drua lock in Highlanders game in Suva

The Swire Shipping Fijian Drua have confirmed venues for five of their seven Super Rugby Pacific home matches including Suva where they will host the Highlanders in April.

The ANZ Stadium in Laucala will serve as the host venue for the Highlanders scheduled for 30 April, a confirmation that comes after the Fijian Government reviewed a ‘no spectator’ rule, allowing up to 80 percent spectators at any games venue.

However, Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium will be Drua’s first home venue where they will host the Rebels in one of the encounters in round three. The stadium will also host the Drua’s round eight home game against the Brumbies.

Leichhardt Oval in Sydney will host their round 5 match against Western Force and the clash against Moana Pasifika is locked in for 14 May at the CommBank Stadium in Parramatta.

CEO Brian Thorburn said: “We are delighted to be able to announce five of seven home match venues today for all our fans, supporters and stakeholders. We are very happy to secure some outstanding venues like Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium as well as CommBank Stadium and Leichhardt Oval in Sydney. We have growing confidence that we’ll be able to play in front of our home fans in Fiji at Suva’s ANZ Stadium on 30 April and are buoyed by the announcement by the Fijian Government about the return of spectators to sports.”

“Fijian rugby fans are renowned for the vibrancy, noise, and atmosphere they bring to stadiums. Our players are absolutely buzzing at the prospect of Drua fans, supporters, and rugby lovers cheering for them at the stadium by bringing the sounds and colours of Fiji to these venues.”

“The stage is now set for us to offer a unique Fijian-style fan experience at our home match venues to reflect the excitement happening on the field of play. We plan to deliver events of extremely high quality to delight the entire crowd, by infusing a Fijian flavour and other exclusive touches to these events wherever possible. We’ll reveal details of these in the lead-up to each of our home matches.”

Tickets for Suncorp Stadium match against Melbourne Rebels on 4 March and Leichhardt Oval match against Western Force will be on sale from Friday afternoon (11 February) on www.ticketek.com.au.

“We encourage fans to get in early to organise their friends and family, their kalavata, Fiji flags, blue wigs, lali, dholak and drums to cheer on their Drua,” Thorburn said.

The Drua will confirm venues for their Round 7 match against the NSW Waratahs and Round 14 home match against the Chiefs shortly.