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Highlanders to play the Chiefs in Fiji

Author
NZN,
Publish Date
Tue, 23 Jan 2018, 12:46PM
The Highlanders are taking a home game to Fiji, but don't have any scheduled for Invercargill in 2018. (Photo \ Getty Images)
The Highlanders are taking a home game to Fiji, but don't have any scheduled for Invercargill in 2018. (Photo \ Getty Images)

Highlanders to play the Chiefs in Fiji

Author
NZN,
Publish Date
Tue, 23 Jan 2018, 12:46PM

The Highlanders will take on the Chiefs in a Kiwi Super Rugby derby on Fijian soil in June.

Newly led by coach Aaron Mauger, the Dunedin-based side have agreed to stage a home game in Suva on June 30 against the Colin Cooper-coached Chiefs - who have played the Crusaders in Fiji in both 2016 and 2017.

Club chief Roger Clark says it is a sound sporting decision.

"We are aware of the large following Super Rugby enjoys in Fiji and we're happy to have the chance to showcase our style of game in the islands," Clark said.

"Fiji has produced so many great players including our own Waisake Naholo - it will be great experience for him and all the players."

Fijian-born Naholo, a winger, has played 18 times for the All Blacks.

Mauger admitted the Fiji match would present its own challenges but backed his troops to acclimatise and get the job done.

Elsewhere, the southerners will play seven games at their home base in Dunedin, including derbies against the Blues, Crusaders and Hurricanes.

They'll also play the Stormers, Lions, Brumbies and Rebels at home, as they look to improve on last year's quarter-final elimination.

No matches are scheduled for Invercargill.

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