Another Super Rugby game is being taken to the Pacific Islands, with the Auckland-based Blues to face the Queensland Reds in Samoa in June.
The match in Apia on June 2 will be the first time Samoa has hosted such a fixture.
The Chiefs broke new ground in 2016 when they hosted the Crusaders in Fiji, with both teams returning to Suva this year.
Blues chief executive Michael Redman and Samoan prime minister Tuilaepa Aiono Sailele Malielegaoi announced the game would take place under floodlights at Apia Park, where the All Blacks faced Samoa in a historic Test two years ago.
Redman says it made sense to move the game out of Auckland as it falls five days before the Blues face the touring British and Irish Lions at Eden Park.
“When we assessed all of our options within our region, taking this game to Samoa became an obvious choice,” he said.
“Our Blues region is home to around 150,000 proud Samoans and we have 15 players in our team with Samoan heritage, along with our head coach Tana Umaga.”
Blues coach Tana Umaga said the game will be an emotional one for him and his players.
“As someone with Samoa heritage, I am very proud to be part of the first Super Rugby match played in Samoa and of course a number of our team have family members living there.”
Die hard
Roar Rookie
It is more to do with the blues moving their home game as they play the Lions a few days later. Nothing to do with money.
Celtic334
Guest
Brilliant news, personally i will be looking to attend either this game or the Chiefs v Crusaders game in Fiji a few weeks later.
RedandBlack
Guest
Probably won't be much of a money maker but good to see that rugby men have wrested the controls back from the accountants and businessmen who have sunk the games support over the last twenty years by treating fans as customers and grounds as shops or entertainment venues. I am not a customer, my team represents my province and me - I am a part of it. The Samoan fan base have been supporting the Blues since day 1 - a bit of giving back is well in order.
Browny
Roar Rookie
Great news. I hope it's as big of a success as the one in Fiji last year.