Next month's two New Zealand Māori v Fiji matches – a key World Cup build-up series for Fiji - have been given extra significance following the confirmation from Sky TV that they will be broadcast in Te Reo Māori as an alternate commentary.
The default broadcast option for the games in Suva on July 13 and Rotorua a week later will be in English. It is understood to be the first time in over a decade the Te Reo option has been provided on Sky.
Broadcaster Te Arahi Maipi has the honour of calling the games in Te Reo and he said it was one he didn't take lightly.
"To get the opportunity to commentate these two matches in Te Reo Māori is a massive privilege and responsibility," Maipi told the Herald. "It's very special to be involved with the Māori All Blacks because in Māori sport they are the pinnacle."
Sky TV's director of sport Tex Teixeira said: "It's great to be able to offer the option of Te Reo commentary for these two rugby matches. As a Kiwi broadcaster we're pleased to be able to customise our broadcast in this way and to give customers the choice to hear Māori or English commentary for these two special matches."
