Ticket sales for the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua’s clash with the Highlanders in Ba this Saturday are tracking strongly, with organisers predicting another sell-out at Govind Park as the island side looks to capitalise on a raucous home following. The match-day kick-off has been brought forward to 4pm — 30 minutes earlier than originally scheduled — to allow for more daylight and an improved fan experience.
Shane Hussein, the Drua’s general manager commercial, said demand for tickets is on par with the team’s historic first outing at Govind Park earlier this season against the Brumbies, a game that sold out and drew national and international attention. “We’re expecting another bumper crowd this Saturday, and fans who missed out last time won’t want to miss this one,” Hussein said, adding that the atmosphere at Ba’s first match “was like no other” and helped establish the town “as a top rugby destination.”
The Highlanders present a particular challenge: the Drua have yet to record a victory over the New Zealand outfit. Hussein framed Saturday’s fixture as an opportunity to change that record in front of a partisan crowd. “We’re facing a Highlanders side we’ve yet to beat, but Ba presents a special opportunity to create something memorable. We invite fans to come along and be part of what could be a historic occasion,” he said.
Organisers warned supporters to secure tickets early after thousands missed out when Govind Park reached capacity for the Brumbies match. Tickets are being sold at Shop N Save and Jack’s of Fiji outlets, through Ba Town Council sales points, and online at drua.flicket.io. The move to an earlier kick-off is intended to improve the match-day atmosphere and logistics for fans travelling to and from Ba.
The expectation of another packed crowd underscores the growing profile of rugby in Ba, where the Drua’s return earlier this season drew widespread attention and highlighted the potential for regional centres to host high-profile Super Rugby fixtures. For local businesses and the town, the match again represents a focal point of community interest, though organisers have concentrated public messaging on fan safety, ticket availability and the altered start time.
This update is the latest development in the build-up to Saturday’s game: ticket demand and the revised kick-off time are the immediate changes supporters need to note ahead of the Highlanders encounter at Govind Park.