Rugby: Players concerned over Crusaders' Fiji home game

Andy Ellis of the Crusaders makes a break during the round 16 Super Rugby match between the Crusaders and the Western Force. Photo / Getty Images

The Crusaders' proposal to hold a home game against the Hurricanes in Fiji next season has been signed off by the franchise's board, but it has yet to convince the New Zealand Players' Association, which remains concerned about the fixture.

The match, likely to be held at Suva's National Stadium on May 26, is seen by the Crusaders' administration as a lucrative way of capitalising on the fact that AMI Stadium will not be available because of the Fifa Under-20 World Cup to be held in New Zealand in May and June.

The Crusaders are yet to announce the venue of the match, but it is understood an as yet unnamed sponsor has agreed to underwrite the Fiji trip and that the Fiji Government has also promised the Crusaders a financial reward.

However, it is understood that many of the players are less than impressed with the trip, coming as it does in the build-up to a World Cup which already involves an historic test in nearby Samoa on July 7.

The Crusaders v Hurricanes match could involve at least 20 All Blacks, including captain Richie McCaw, Kieran Read and Dan Carter at the Crusaders, and Beauden Barrett, Ma'a Nonu and Conrad Smith at the Hurricanes.

Players' Association chief executive Rob Nichol will talk to players later in the week about the arrangement - either in person, or in the case of All Blacks on leave, by phone.

He said his immediate concerns were around how the trip could affect them.

"There are risks around performance and player welfare, there's no doubt about that, but on the flipside is the potential financial gain," Nichol said.

"It's a compromise, isn't it," he said. "The key is how much do you want to compromise the players ... and potential championship points in taking on the risk of travelling to Fiji."

The Crusaders' other "home" options are Timaru's Alpine Energy Stadium and Nelson's Trafalgar Park.