Rugby Archives - Lautoka City Council

GALLAGHER CHIEFS HEAD TO FIJI FOR DHL SUPER RUGBY PACIFIC PLAYOFF DECIDER

admin — Thu, 26 May 2022 21:04:47 +0000

The Gallagher Chiefs head to the tropical climate of Fiji as the heat goes on their must-win encounter against the Fijian Drua on Saturday afternoon in Lautoka.

Victory will ensure the Gallagher Chiefs of fourth place on the DHL Super Rugby Pacific table, and with it will come the all-important home advantage for the quarterfinals next weekend.
They go into the final round of regular season three points ahead of the Hurricanes and four ahead of the Waratahs. The Hurricanes travel to Perth to take on the Force, who are chasing the last qualifying spot after their bonus-point win over Moana Pacific mid-week, while the Waratahs host the Blues.

“It’s a simple equation for us. Get the win and we can go home to play in front of our fans for the quarterfinal. We need to focus on doing our job and producing a performance of quality from the first to the 80th minute,” said Gallagher Chiefs Head Coach Clayton McMillan

“We know the Drua will throw the kitchen-sink at us for their final game of the season. They have some tremendous athletes if we give them possession and room to run. We need to do the basics, control possession and territory, and have confidence to execute and convert our opportunities.”

Helping the cause will be the long-awaited return of Gallagher Chiefs centurion, Brodie Retallick, who broke his thumb in the clash against the Crusaders two months ago. Retallick will join fellow All Black Tupou Vaa’i in the locks.

It will be a homecoming for Pita Gus Sowakula, who was born in Lautoka, and Emoni Narawa also born in Fiji, both getting the chance to run out in the starting 15 on home soil. With co-captain Sam Cane out with injury, the versatile Luke Jacobsen moves to openside, Pita Gus moving back to Number 8 and Samipeni Finau completing the loose forward trio.

The only change in the backline will see midfielder Alex Nankivell move to the left wing with Rameka Poihipi to partner the in-form Quinn Tupaea in the midfield.

There is added good news on the bench with the return of Josh Ioane and Jonah Lowe.

The Gallagher Chiefs team to meet the Fijian Drua on Saturday is:

1. Aidan Ross
2. Samisoni Taukei’aho
3. Angus Ta’avao
4. Brodie Retallick
5. Tupou Vaa’i
6. Samipeni Finau
7. Luke Jacobson
8. Pita Gus Sowakula
9. Brad Weber ©
10. Bryn Gatland
11. Alex Nankivell
12. Quinn Tupaea
13. Rameka Poihipi
14. Emoni Narawa
15. Kaleb Trask
16. Bradley Slater
17. Ollie Norris
18. Atu Moli
19. Naitoa Ah Khoi
20. Kaylum Boshier
21. Cortez Ratima
22. Josh Ioane
23. Jonah Lowe

Unavailable: Reuben O’Neill, Gideon Wrampling, Simon Parker, Sione Mafileo, Laghlan McWhannell, Anton Lienert-Brown, Shaun Stevenson, Etene Nanai-Seturo

Fixture: Gallagher Chiefs v Fijian Drua
Location: Churchill Park, Lautoka, Fiji
Broadcast: Sky Sport 1

The post GALLAGHER CHIEFS HEAD TO FIJI FOR DHL SUPER RUGBY PACIFIC PLAYOFF DECIDER appeared first on Lautoka City Council.

BRODIE RETALLICK RETURNS FOR CHIEFS CLASH IN LAUTOKA

admin — Thu, 26 May 2022 19:58:01 +0000

The Gallagher Chiefs head to the tropical climate of Fiji as the heat goes on their must-win encounter against the Fijian Drua on Saturday afternoon in Lautoka.

Victory will ensure the Gallagher Chiefs of fourth place on the DHL Super Rugby Pacific table, and with it will come the all-important home advantage for the quarterfinals next weekend.

They go into the final round of regular season three points ahead of the Hurricanes and four ahead of the Waratahs. The Hurricanes travel to Perth to take on the Force, who are chasing the last qualifying spot after their bonus-point win over Moana Pacific mid-week, while the Waratahs host the Blues.

“It’s a simple equation for us. Get the win and we can go home to play in front of our fans for the quarterfinal. We need to focus on doing our job and producing a performance of quality from the first to the 80th minute,” said Gallagher Chiefs Head Coach Clayton McMillan

“We know the Drua will throw the kitchen-sink at us for their final game of the season. They have some tremendous athletes if we give them possession and room to run. We need to do the basics, control possession and territory, and have confidence to execute and convert our opportunities.”

Helping the cause will be the long-awaited return of Gallagher Chiefs centurion, Brodie Retallick, who broke his thumb in the clash against the Crusaders two months ago. Retallick will join fellow All Black Tupou Vaa’i in the locks.

It will be a homecoming for Pita Gus Sowakula, who was born in Lautoka, and Emoni Narawa also born in Fiji, both getting the chance to run out in the starting 15 on home soil. With co-captain Sam Cane out with injury, the versatile Luke Jacobsen moves to openside, Pita Gus moving back to Number 8 and Samipeni Finau completing the loose forward trio.

The only change in the backline will see midfielder Alex Nankivell move to the left wing with Rameka Poihipi to partner the in-form Quinn Tupaea in the midfield.

There is added good news on the bench with the return of Josh Ioane and Jonah Lowe.

The Gallagher Chiefs team to meet the Fijian Drua on Saturday is:

1. Aidan Ross

2. Samisoni Taukei’aho

3. Angus Ta’avao

4. Brodie Retallick

5. Tupou Vaa’i

6. Samipeni Finau

7. Luke Jacobson

8. Pita Gus Sowakula

9. Brad Weber ©

10. Bryn Gatland

11. Alex Nankivell

12. Quinn Tupaea

13. Rameka Poihipi

14. Emoni Narawa

15. Kaleb Trask

16. Bradley Slater

17. Ollie Norris

18. Atu Moli

19. Naitoa Ah Khoi

20. Kaylum Boshier

21. Cortez Ratima

22. Josh Ioane

23. Jonah Lowe

Unavailable: Reuben O’Neill, Gideon Wrampling, Simon Parker, Sione Mafileo, Laghlan McWhannell, Anton Lienert-Brown, Shaun Stevenson, Etene Nanai-Seturo

Source: Super Rugby NZ

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Close to 3,000 tickets sold or allocated the Drua and Chiefs clash in Lautoka

admin — Wed, 11 May 2022 22:58:18 +0000

Close to 3,000 tickets have been sold or allocated in the first two days of public sales for the clash between the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua and the Chiefs in Lautoka.

The Drua have also confirmed exciting pre-match activities before the match involving the champion Rooster Chicken Fijiana Drua team members as well as a Vodafone Vanua clash as curtain raiser.

CEO Brian Thorburn says they are delighted with the response from fans in the West so far.

With a capacity of only 11,000, this leaves only around 8,000-odd tickets left for sale. Thorburn says given how fast sales are going, they don’t think there will be too many left for sale at the gates on match day.

All $145 tickets for the match have been sold or allocated already.

Thorburn adds fans will have the chance to meet the members of the champion Rooster Chicken Fijiana Drua and this is a just one of several celebrations planned for the Fijiana Drua following their amazing Super W victory.

The Fijian Drua will take on the Chiefs at 3pm on the 28th of this month at Churchill Park.

Tickets for the match at Churchill Park are priced as follows:

· $20 for adults and $10 for kids under 12 for the grass embankment on the TappooCity end of the field – Bronze North

· $30 for adults and $15 for kids under 12 for the grass embankment opposite the main stadium – Bronze East

· $95 for the Timber Grandstand (Pavilion B) – Gold

· $95 for a temporary grandstand to be constructed adjacent to the Concrete Grandstand (Pavilion A) – Gold

They are available at:

· Lautoka City Council

· Fijian Drua Store Port Denarau

· Jack’s of Fiji outlets: Pier St Suva, MHCC, Damodar City, Rups Mall Nakasi, Sigatoka, Nadi, Votualevu, Lautoka, XL Sports Lautoka, Ba.

· Shop N Save outlets: Lautoka Shop 3, Lautoka Market, Namaka, Votualevu, Ba, Tavua, 9 Miles, Nabua, Valelevu.

Source: Fijivillage

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Churchill Park closed in preparation for Fijian Drua vs Chiefs match

admin — Mon, 02 May 2022 23:07:29 +0000

Churchill Park has been closed in preparation for the first Super Rugby Pacific match in Lautoka on the 28th of this month.

Lautoka City Council CEO Mohammed Anees Khan says they have been improving the turf at Churchill Park all throughout the COVID-19 period as they aim to attract international events.

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He says they are looking at welcoming 11,000 fans at Churchill Park for this Super Rugby match.

The tickets for the Drua vs Chiefs match are $20 for adults and $10 for kids under 12 for the grass embankment on the Tappoo City end of the field, $30 for adults and $15 for kids under 12 for the grass embankment opposite the main stadium, $95 for the Timber Grandstand, $95 for a temporary grandstand that will be constructed adjacent to the Concrete Grandstand and $145 for the Concrete Grandstand.

The ticket sales will start next Monday.

People can purchase their tickets from the Lautoka City Council Office and eight selected Jack’s of Fiji outlets.

Meanwhile the CEO of the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua Brian Thorburn says the team was overwhelmed with the crowd last Saturday in Suva with 15,102 people attending the historic match between the Fijian Drua and the Highlanders.

He says Fiji now holds the record for any match attendance in Super Rugby Pacific matches this year.

Thorburn says they are thankful to every Fijian Drua supporter that turned up to cheer for their team at the ANZ Stadium.

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He says they ran out of tickets last Saturday and had to turn away fans trying to purchase tickets at the gate.

The Fijian Drua will meet the Hurricanes in Wellington at 3.35pm this Sunday.

In other Super Rugby Pacific matches this week, the Blues will face the Rebels at 7.05pm Friday, Reds will take on the Highlanders at 9.45pm Friday, Moana Pasifika will play the Waratahs at 4.35pm Saturday, the Chiefs will meet the Brumbies at 7.05pm Saturday and the Crusaders will face the Force at 9.45pm Saturday.

Source: Fijivillage

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Drua vs Chiefs tickets to go on sale from next Monday

admin — Mon, 02 May 2022 20:06:00 +0000

Tickets for the the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua and Chiefs Super Rugby match in Churchill Park in Lautoka will go on sale from next Monday.

Prices for the inaugural match in the Sugar City are $20 for adults, $10 for kids under 12 for the grass embankment on the Tappoo end of the field.

$30 for adults and $15 for kids under 12 for the grass embankment opposite the main stadium.

$95 for the timber grandstand which is pavilion B and a temporary grandstand that will be constructed adjacent to the concrete grandstand.

$145 for the concrete grandstand which is pavilion A.

Speaking during a press conference in Lautoka today, Drua Chief Executive Brian Thorburn says tickets will be available at the Lautoka City Council office and eight selected Jack’s of Fiji outlets.

Thorburn says with a much lower capacity venue at Churchill Park of around 11,000 they are recommending fans to get their tickets early and plan their day in Lautoka.

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“We ran out of tickets last week. People could not get in because it was that sold out so we had to turn away fans. We just encourage people to get in early and buy tickets. One of our sponsors called me up this morning and says he wants to give tickets to his staff members in the region and their families so he has bought 400 tickets already.”

He says they are also expecting a sell out as Chiefs are one of the leading sides in the competition and currently sit 4th on the ladder.

Thorburn says with a squad featuring 12 full All Blacks and names like Fiji born Pita Gus Sowakula, Brad Webber, Anton Leinert-Brown, Brodie Retallick and All Blacks captain Sam Cane, the Chiefs will be vying for a win.

Lautoka City Council CEO Mohammed Khan says this will be a historic event for the city.

Khan says an influx of guests, visitors and tourists are expected to grace the game venue at Churchill Park.

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“This gives the business community of Lautoka to showcase what Sugar City has to offer. Considerable economic activity is expected to be generated by this fixture. Lautoka looks forward to market itself to the wider international television audience as a choice of destination for international sports events.”

The Drua host the Chiefs on the 28th of this month at 3pm.

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