The Gallagher Chiefs have touched down in Nausori for their historic Super Rugby match with the BNZ Crusaders on Friday night.
Some of the All Blacks stars in the Chiefs who have arrived in the country are Hika Elliot, Dominic Bird, Brodie Retallick, Sam Cane, Tawera Kerr‑Barlow, Aaron Cruden, Stephen Donald, Setareki Tamanivalu and nippy fullback Damian McKenzie.
A full traditional welcome ceremony is currently underway at Nausori Airport.
Chiefs coach, Dave Rennie received the bowl of kava on behalf of the Chiefs.
Rennie said that the Fiji kava is different compared to the one Asaeli Tikoirotuma used to mix for them in Hamilton.
Lelean students are also lined up from Nausori Airport to the main road with Chiefs flags to welcome the Chiefs.
Tourism Minister, Faiyaz Koya welcomed the Chiefs and said that he is hoping for a good result for the Chiefs as they play at home.
More than 100 people are also at the airport trying to catch a glimpse of the NZ rugby stars.
The Chiefs vs Crusaders match is being funded through government funding of $2.3 million, which will cater for team costs and accommodation and local travel costs.
Fortress Information System is sponsoring 1 million dollars as corporate sponsorship of the event.
Fiji Airways is engaged by Sanzar as the international airline to provide flights for the Crusaders and Chiefs to Suva for the match.
Sky TV coverage of the game will reach out to 154 countries with over 200 million households.
This will represent nearly half a billion people who will watch the live broadcast.
The government says that the direct economic benefits is estimated to be in excess of 19 million dollars.
Meanwhile the Crusaders will arrive at 10am tomorrow.
