FIJI rugby fans in Vancouver, Canada can expect more rugby later this year as the Flying Fijians have been announced to play a match against the New Zealand All Blacks XV this October at BC Place Stadium.
The announcement was made during the final day of the 2020 HSBC Vancouver 7s yesterday, with Flying Fijians flyhalf Ben Volavola and All Blacks hooker Nathan Harris present during the launch.
The event is titled the Halloween Rugby Weekend which will see Canada play against the USA on Friday October 30 before the Flying Fijians play against the NZ All Blacks XV on Saturday.
Volavola, who is currently contracted with French Club Racing, believes this will be a quality match for the Flying Fijians.
“This is an opportunity to play against a quality opponent. A lot of these boys are knocking on the door for the main All Blacks squad and for us we don’t often get a lot of opportunities to play against tier one nations so this game in October before heading into our November Series will be pivotal for our group,” Volavola said.
“The boys will be excited once they learn about this match and I just encourage the communities to come along and support,” he said.
All Blacks and Super Rugby Chiefs hooker Nathan Harris says despite being a shadow team of their senior one they will be no short of talents.
“This is sort of a shadow of a All Black team,” Harris said.
“There maybe guys who have played for All Blacks in the past, Maori players who are knocking on the door and Super Rugby and Mitre 10 upcoming players. It is exciting for NZ rugby union having a team like this. They have had it in the past under NZ A and now All Black XV. It will be interesting to play the Flying Fijians here in Vancouver,” Harris said.
