Game only negative about Fiji experience

Roger Clark
Roger Clark
The Highlanders were thrilled with the Fijian experience except for one thing - the game.

The side filtered back into Dunedin on Sunday night and yesterday morning from Suva following its 45-22 loss to the Chiefs on Saturday night.

It was the first time the team had played in Fiji in a Super Rugby game and Highlanders chief executive Roger Clark said, apart from the match, it had been a success.

``Our guys over there did a fantastic job leading into the event. The Fijians were great in everything they did and it was a great occasion,'' he said.

``But for us we just did not play well. No excuses; we just didn't front. But in the lead-up to the game everyone worked well and did their job.''

The game was put on through a partnership with the Fijian government and Fortress Information Systems. The Chiefs hosted a game in Fiji last year and ended up - like the Highlanders - losing the game.

Clark said he could not reveal the income generated for the franchise by taking the game to Fiji as it was commercially sensitive.

But he said under the model the franchise worked under, it was critical to make the most of opportunities that came along and make the franchise sustainable.

``We have taken games to Hong Kong, and now we have gone to Fiji. We are doing everything we can to make revenue to make the business sustainable.

``By doing that we will be able to select a competitive team which, as we have shown since 2014, can compete in the playoffs.''

The Fijian Government was keen to bring a Super Rugby game to the country and that was not unusual, he said.

The Invercargill City Council had entered into an agreement with the Highlanders to host a game at Rugby Park every year.

Clark said the loss in Suva was a tough one to swallow.

``It is a case that if we had won, it would have been a great event. The event was fantastic and could not have been done better. We had volunteers over there who did an amazing job. We were all gutted that we lost.''

He said whether the side returned to Fiji next year was up in the air and would be part of the review undertaken at the end of the season.

But it was a good commercial opportunity which would be considered and other franchises would be looking into it.

A draw had been released with the dates of the games for next year's competition but where the games would be played had yet to be finalised.

The venues would be confirmed in October and November.

Every year the Highlanders take a home game away from Dunedin and actually could play two home games away from Forsyth Barr Stadium a year, Clark said.

``Where we play games then the team's performance and how we play is taken into consideration. But so is balancing the books year in, year out.''

 

Comments

Fair enough the players have to be paid but winning on the pitch should always be the first priority. The Highlanders need to plan for this event better so the players are in top shape physically and mentally if they take another game to the islands. It is a big change in environment and playing surface compared to a match at F B.