Joeli Vidiri will be honoured this Saturday at Eden Park when the Fijian Drua and the Blues contest a newly announced Joeli Vidiri Memorial Trophy, organisers confirmed. The tribute — unveiled in the lead-up to the Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific season — recognises Vidiri’s impact on the game and his enduring connection to both Auckland and his Fijian roots.
Former Blues and All Blacks centre Eroni Clarke, who spoke at the Super Rugby Pacific launch in Auckland last month, welcomed the commemoration. “I think that’s the most wonderful thing, to be able to acknowledge greatness and to acknowledge Joeli in that way with the Drua and with the Blues playing at Eden Park,” Clarke told reporters. He added that it was “important to really acknowledge some of our wonderful legends and to also acknowledge the contribution he’s made to the game, to the club and the fact that the Drua and the Blues are really close because that’s who he is.”
Vidiri’s name remains synonymous with the late-1990s Blues side that reshaped Super Rugby. The Nausori Highlands-born winger made 64 appearances for the Blues between 1996 and 2001 and scored 235 points, thrilling crowds at Eden Park alongside the likes of Jonah Lomu. Standing at around 6ft 3in, Vidiri combined size, speed and a distinctly Fijian style of running that made him a feared presence on the wing and inspired chants from home supporters such as “Give me hope Joeli.”
In a statement announcing the trophy, the Blues said the award honours a player “remembered for his powerful running, humility and infectious joy,” and acknowledged Vidiri’s time in Auckland while noting his deep ties to Fiji. The match at Eden Park is being framed by both clubs and former teammates as a full-circle moment for his family and for fans who still recall his electrifying plays and the life he brought to the dressing room.
Clarke, who made 48 appearances for the Blues from 1996 to 2000 and was part of the side that won the inaugural Super 12 titles in 1996 and 1997, reflected on Vidiri’s on-field gifts. “Playing together with someone like Joeli Vidiri, it’s like you have a gift,” Clarke said. “You just gave them the ball and they make the space and they run around people. They run over people and especially someone like Joeli. He was probably one of the most quickest… that I’ve ever seen on a rugby field.” Clarke also remembered Vidiri for the joy and camaraderie he brought to the team, particularly during challenging times.
The memorial trophy’s introduction comes as the Drua continue to solidify their place in Super Rugby Pacific, enhancing ties between Pacific Island rugby and New Zealand’s provincial clubs. For supporters of both sides, Saturday’s fixture is expected to be as much about celebrating Vidiri’s legacy as it is about the competition points on offer.
Fans at Eden Park will therefore not only see a Super Rugby Pacific clash but also witness the official recognition of Vidiri’s contribution to the sport — a formal reminder of a player whose power, speed and personality left a lasting mark on rugby in Auckland and across the Pacific.
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