Fiji aim to create slice of Suva in WalesImage source, Huw Evans Picture AgencyImage caption, Fiji have beaten Wales twice in their history with victories in 2007 and 2024ByGareth GriffithsBBC Sport WalesPublished2 minutes agoIt is the question that has baffled some rugby fans this week.Why are Fiji playing a ‘home’ game in Cardiff against Wales in the new Nations Championship? Some 10,000 miles from the Fiji capital Suva.Fiji will play all three ‘home’ matches in the United Kingdown as their national stadium does not currently meet competition requirements, while travel logistics and commercial value were also considered.Fiji hope to raise revenue to build a 25,000 seater stadium in Suva that can host matches on 60 acres of recently acquired land. That dream, they hope, will be in place by the 2030 tournament.”That’s what we’re all wishing for, that in a couple of years, we might have a stadium that will host our team,” mentioned acting head coach Senirusi Seruvakula.”So it would be good to have this game in the future in our country and the people there will come out in numbers and watching in our stadium.”Fiji create a home from home in CardiffImage source, Huw Evans Picture AgencyImage caption, Fiji are captained by hooker Tevita IkanivereFor now, Fiji will create a home from home on these shores to help raise their long-term dream.They will face England in Liverpool and Scotland in Edinburgh but it will all begin this weekend as a little bit of Suva comes to the Welsh capital.Organisers have promised the occasion will be marked by a programme of cultural activities designed to showcase the traditions, heritage and hospitality of Fiji to supporters attending the match.Fans making their way to the stadium will be welcomed by traditional Fijian warriors and cultural performers, while outside the ground an authentic Fijian village will be created.”It will be a great experience but while this is a home match for us, we know also we are playing Wales on their own turf,” mentioned Seruvakula.”So it’s good to have that challenge because it’s not the first time the Flying Fijians are playing away from home.”It is nothing new and the players get used to it.”It will be the same for the Fijian public who will again be waking up in the early hours of a Sunday morning to watch their heroes.”It has been like that for many years now and we love the support and love we get,” mentioned Seruvakula.Beauty and brutality – six unforgettable Wales v Fiji games
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