Fiji TV Becomes Official Pacific Nations Cup Broadcaster
The Fiji Rugby Union officially announced Fiji Television Limited as the Official Broadcaster for the 2018 World Rugby Pacific Nations Cup, today.
The tournament, which provides important high-performance preparation for teams ahead of Rugby World Cup 2019, sees Georgia joining Fiji, Samoa and Tonga in this important World Rugby-funded high performance competition, which will be hosted at the ANZ Stadium in Suva, on 9 and 16 June and at the Churchill Park in Lautoka on 23 June.
At the official signing of the agreement today, FRU CEO, John O’Connor, said that the FRU was very excited with the signing which was part of their hosting agreement with World Rugby.
“We are very excited with the signing today, because part of our hosting agreement with World Rugby is a requirement to provide outside broadcast production so that it can be shown abroad Live and we are grateful that we have reached an understanding with Fiji TV.”
“Fiji TV becomes our exclusive TV rights broadcaster for the Pacific Nations Cup and June Test Series which has some very exciting matches lined up. On 9 June, Georgia will play against Tonga and the Fiji Airways Flying Fijians playing against Samoa and on 13 June, we have Samoa v Tonga and the Fiji Airways Flying Fijians against Georgia which will all be played at the ANZ Stadium in Suva.”
“On 23 June the final test match will be played at Churchill Park in Lautoka between the Fiji Airways Flying Fijians and Tonga and we are thankful to Fiji TV who will also promote these matches on their stations as part of their agreement. So we have an exciting three weeks ahead of us.”
“O’Connor confirmed that the 2018 World Rugby Pacific Nations Cup matches will be aired on delayed coverage and not Live and has urged all the Fiji Rugby supporters to buy their tickets early to avoid any disappointment and to also wear White to show their support.
“The term of the agreement is that the matches will be aired on delayed coverage and not Live, on the Free to Air Channel, which is Fiji One, so we are urging all our supporters to buy their tickets and come and support the boys.”
“We have a very high profile team laced with players that are local and overseas based and these are some of the players that we only get to watch on TV with the likes of Leone Nakarawa, Semi Radradra, Nemani Nadolo and so forth. So this is an opportunity for you to come and watch them at the stadium as these test matches are also part of the team’s journey and preparation towards the 2019 RWC. I also urge everyone to wear white to show their support for the team.’
“Ticket sales have been positive as the profile of our players have generated a lot of interest among our fans especially after the performance of Radradra and Tuisova at last weekend’s London 7s. People are now eager to come and watch them in person and not only that, we have a lot of talented players that play very high level rugby in UK and France, so you just got to be at the stadium to witness the pool of talent that the Fiji Airways Flying Fijians have.”
Fiji TV CEO, Karen Lobendahn said that this agreement was a milestone achievement for both FRU and Fiji TV and it showed the good working relationship that they have had over the years.
“We are very proud to partner with the Fiji Rugby Union and of course World Rugby. This partnership spans for a number of years and this relationship has actually grown over the years. The broadcast that we give out is a telling tale of what and how this partnership has grown and we are always very proud to be able to bring coverage home to our viewers whether it is delayed or Live.”
“For us having international teams playing at home is such a privilege not only for our viewers but for everyone in general in Fiji so we are very happy to be part of this and to also play an important role in taking it back to World Rugby as well.”
“We have a lot of big names in the Fiji Airways Flying Fijians team and that itself tells you the standard of rugby that will be played over the coming weeks. That in itself is basically something to be proud of to have it right here at home and for the Fiji Rugby Union and World Rugby to bring these teams here and for Fiji TV to showcase this talent is a milestone in itself so we are very proud to be able to have some of these big names at home and for our viewers to enjoy them as well.”
Series Details:
World Rugby Pacific Nations Cup
Test One: Saturday 9th June @ 3.30pm (ANZ Stadium, Suva)
Fiji Airways Flying Fijians v Manu Samoa
Georgia Lelos v Tonga Ikale Tahi @ 1.00pm
Test Two: Saturday 16th June @ 3.30pm (ANZ Stadium, Suva)
Fiji Airways Flying Fijians v Georgia Lelos’
Tonga Ikale Tahi v Manu Samoa @ 1.00pm
Test Three: Saturday 23rd June @ 3.00pm (Churchill Park, Lautoka)
Fiji Airways Flying Fijians v Tonga’s Ikale Tahi
Ticket prices range from $50 for the Grandstand, $30 for the Concrete Embankment and $15 for the Grass Embankment. The Special Bundles include a Suva Super Pack which has one ticket to both matches that will be played in Suva on 9 and 16 June and the price ranges are $80 for the Grandstand, $40 for the Concrete Embankment and $20 for the Grass Embankment.
For the Family Pack, which includes 2 adults and 2 children U12 to any of the three June Test Series, the price range is $90 for the Grandstand, $50 for the Concrete Embankment and $25 for the General Admission. Tickets for the June Test Series are now available through Fiji Sports
Council in Suva, Fiji Rugby Union and online from Ticket Direct www.ticketdirect.com.fj/ Log on to www.fijirugby.com for more information on the ticket prices and special packages on offer for the 2018 June Test Series.