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Waikato Chiefs to play Canterbury Crusaders in Fiji

Sonny Bill Williams on the charge for the Chiefs
Image: Sonny Bill Williams and the Chiefs will play the Crusaders in Fiji in July

Super Rugby will continue its expansion next year with the Waikato Chiefs playing one of their home games in Fiji, the first time a match has been played in the Pacific Islands.

The previously wholly southern hemisphere rugby competition is expanding to 18 teams next season with sides in South Africa, Argentina and Japan joining the tournament.

Japan's Sunwolves side will play some of their home matches in Singapore.

The Chiefs will play the seven-time champion Canterbury Crusaders in Suva on July 1. It is only the second time a New Zealand side will play a home match outside of their country.

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The Crusaders played a 'home' match against South Africa's Sharks in London in 2011 following a devastating earthquake that forced the team to play all of their games away from Christchurch that season.

"This is a great opportunity to take the Chiefs to Fiji and help promote the game in their country," said Chiefs chief executive Andrew Flexman.

"Fijians have added a huge amount to New Zealand's rugby heritage and it is fitting that we can give something back as well as expose our brand in a new territory.

"We know how much the Pacific Island people love their rugby and this year's Test match between Manu Samoa and the All Blacks was testament to that."

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