FIJI Water Flying Fijians Test with All Blacks Confirmed
Suva, January 31, 2024 – The Fiji Rugby Football Union Trust Board (FRUTB) is proud to announce that the FIJI Water Flying Fijians will be playing against the All Blacks in a much-anticipated test match that will take place on July 19th this year at the Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego, USA.
The one test match between the two rugby nations will be the twelfth time the two sides have met since their first Test in Suva in 1974 when the home team Fiji narrowly lost 14-13. It will be first time the two teams have played on neutral soil and the first time the FIJI Water Flying Fijians have played in the USA, with the All Blacks last playing in America in 2021. The Flying Fijians are proudly sponsored by FIJI Water, ensuring Earth’s finest rugby players and rugby fans are hydrated by Earth’s Finest Water.
Fiji Rugby Special Administrator, Simione Valenitabua shared: “The Fiji Rugby Union trustees view this upcoming test as a significant opportunity for the development of rugby.
Playing against a top-tier nation not only enhances the skills and experience of our players but also opens more avenues for Fiji to engage in matches against esteemed teams like the All Blacks. This move aligns with our commitment to advancing the sport’s growth and providing thrilling rugby experiences for our global fan base.”
“This test against the All Blacks by our FIJI Water Flying Fijians, will draw Fijians domestically in the USA and internationally from all over the world, including our people back home in Fiji. All Fijians will relish this opportunity to watch our FIJI Water Flying Fijians and overseas players, as well as the new coaching team to be announced soon, set a benchmark for the next World Cup cycle up to the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia.”
Both the All Blacks and FIJI Water Flying Fijians currently sit among the top ten ranked teams in the world and had positive results at the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France with the All Blacks beaten finalists, narrowly missing out on their fourth World Cup title, and Fiji beating Australia for the first time in 69 years and making the Quarterfinals.
New Zealand Rugby CEO, Mark Robinson said: “We’re really excited to be taking the All Blacks to San Diego to play Fiji. It’s been a long-held ambition for New Zealand Rugby and part of our wider strategy to increase the visibility and understanding of rugby in North America and to build our brand presence ahead of the men’s and women’s Rugby World Cups in 2031 and 2033 respectively.
“The All Blacks and Fiji share a deep connection to the game of rugby and to the Pacific region and we’d like to thank USA Rugby and our event partner TEG Rugby Live for embracing the opportunity to bring this Test to America. “We want to deliver an event that will capture the imagination of sports fans across the United States and showcases the best qualities of our game. It promises to be unique and entertaining afternoon of rugby and Pacific culture, and a great advertisement for the game.
The one-off test match between the Fiji Water Flying Fijians and All Blacks is part of the Steinlager Ultra Low Carb Series which includes England is scheduled to kick-off at 7.30pm Pacific Standard Time on the scheduled date.
FRFUTB also earlier announced the confirmation of the FIJI Water Flying Fijians match against the F.C. Barbarians that will take place at Twickenham Stadium on Saturday 22 June 2024 (kick-off 3am Fiji Time).