THE National Rugby Championship has been used as a tool of enhancing rugby development in the country.
The reason behind the change of venues of the NRC matches from ANZ Stadium to Ratu Cakobau Park was to expose international games to certain areas that will attract locals around the area to witness, learn and expose the knowledge of rugby to the local players.
Fiji Rugby Union Chief Executive Officer John O’Connor said the match has been moved to Nausori this year to give a chance for the villagers in the area an opportunity to witness such event.
“We have always had test matches being held at the ANZ Stadium but now is an opportunity for the people in the province of Rewa, Naitasiri and Tailevu to witness such event and for the fans to get affordable tickets to watch the game,” O’Connor said.
In local competitions, Tailevu and Naitasiri were crowned champions of Fiji Rugby and hosting the game in their hometown will be a boost in terms of supporters.
“The Tailevu and Naitasiri were strong in the Vanua Cup and the Farebrother so were wanted to bring in some top quality games to the fans,” he added.
Meanwhile, the FRU has confirmed the changes of venues will continue in years to come for the development and exposure of local rugby players.
“It will not remain this way, we will try and move the competitions around to other parts of the country in the future and we are just trying to do something different this time,” O’Connor said.
Fiji Drua takes on Melbourne Rising tomorrow at 3.00pm at the Ratu Cakobau Park in Nausori.
