The back-to-back Super Rugby Pacific runners up, the Chiefs, have introduced their first dwelling pre-season matchup for the 2026 season, towards the Fijian Drua.
Final season, the 2 groups performed one another as soon as, with the Drua popping out on prime, 28-24 at Churchill Park in Lautoka.
However this season the 2 groups will play one another in pre-season, the place the Drua will journey to Sir Gordon Tietjens discipline, at Blake Park in Mount Maunganui at 3pm on January 30.
Chiefs CEO Simon Graafhuis says that the organisation is trying ahead to enjoying the Drua down in Tauranga, after getting an incredible crowd down at their common season matchup towards the Force in 2025.
“We liked the power and keenness from our Chiefs supporters within the Bay final 12 months. Bringing the staff again to Tauranga and the Mount is a pure match, and Blake Park will present an incredible alternative for followers to get near the motion as we put together for the 2026 season,” Graafhuis stated.
The Hamilton-based franchise has introduced that beneath 12-year-old’s will be capable of enter without cost, whereas youth tickets value simply $10, and adults are priced at $20 for the pre-season encounter.
Pre-purchased memberships for the season will likely be given free entry, offering an additional alternative to catch the Chiefs in motion earlier than the 2026 Tremendous Rugby Pacific season kicks off.
At present’s announcement comes after the Blues introduced a few pre-season fixtures final week, together with one towards the Hurricanes on January 30 at Sacred Coronary heart Faculty, and the Crusaders on Waitangi Day at Takapuna Rugby Membership.
Takapuna Rugby Membership Supervisor Sandra Southworth says that they’re trying ahead to internet hosting the Blues, as they’ve accomplished a few instances previously throughout pre-season.
“We all the time have a tremendous turnout when the Blues play at our floor and we are able to’t wait to do it once more,” she stated on a Blues assertion.
“Onewa Area is the proper place to look at footy up shut – you possibly can really feel the impression, hear the calls, and share in the power and vibe. It’s going to be a implausible Waitangi Day for Harbour rugby.”
