The Fijian Drua, Super Rugby Pacific’s newest club, made a massive statement by recording the largest attendance of the Super Rugby Pacific season so far in the Drua-Highlanders Round 11 match at ANZ Stadium, Suva.
A sell-out crowd of 15,102 witnessed the historic homecoming of the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua playing on home soil for the very first time.
The match more than lived up to the hype and expectations, and preparations are already underway for the last regular season match between the Drua and the Chiefs at Churchill Park in Lautoka.
Fijian Drua CEO Brian Thorburn said: “I’d like to start with a massive vinaka vakalevu to the Fijian people for their support of our team and for being absolutely amazing last Saturday. We had the biggest, most vibrant and the loudest crowd of the year.
The feedback from all sectors, including the competition organisers, has been full of praise for the way Fiji hosted its own Super Rugby Pacific match. On the field, both teams dazzled, and while we didn’t get the win, we continue to send warning bells around this competition.”
Meanwhile, just 25 days remain until the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua return to play on home soil – this time at Churchill Park in Lautoka where they take on the Chiefs from Waikato.
It will be the first time for the Sugar City to host a Super Rugby Pacific match.
Fijian Drua CEO Brian Thorburn said: “The Chiefs are one of the leading sides in the competition and currently sit fourth on the ladder. With a squad featuring 12 full All Blacks and names like Pita Gus Sowakula, Brad Webber, Anton Leinert-Brown, Brodie Retallick and All Black Captain Sam Cane, they will by vying for a win to secure a home quarter-final. But the Drua will be out to spoil their party with the support of our vocal locals.”
Thorburn added “Given the popularity of the Chiefs in Fiji, as well as the Drua, I have no doubt that we’ll get another sell out, and we will do everything we can to safely increase capacity at the Venue’. We’ve also learned from the Suva Highlanders match and we have earmarked an area at the northern end of the field for $20(US$10) tickets. Due to the limited size of this area and the number of available tickets, these will only be available from Lautoka Council offices.”
Tickets for the match at Churchill Park are priced as follows:
• $20 (US$10) for adults and $10(US$5) for kids under 12 for the grass embankment on the Tappoo City (Northern) end of the field.
• $30 (US$15) for adults and $15 for kids under 12 for the grass embankment opposite the main stadium (Eastern).
• $95(US$47.50) for the Timber Grandstand (Pavilion B)
• $95(US$47.50) for a temporary grandstand to be constructed adjacent to the Concrete Grandstand (Pavilion A)
• $145(US$72.50) for the Concrete Grandstand (Pavilion A)
Tickets will be available for sale from Monday 09 May at the Lautoka City Council office, and eight selected Jack’s of Fiji outlets.
SOURCE: FIJI TIMES/PACNEWS
