Blues and All Blacks veteran Jerome Kaino wants to see Super Rugby matches in the Pacific Islands become a permanent fixture on the sporting calendar.
Jerome Kaino (middle) is one of many Blues players with Samoan heritage. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
The Blues announced yesterday they will host the Reds in Apia in June.
It will be the first Super match played in Samoa and coincides with Samoa's 55th Independence Celebrations.
Fifteen players the Blues squad have Samoan heritage, along with head coach Tana Umaga.
Jerome Kaino, who was born in American Samoa, said the team was already looking forward to the game.
"We're really proud of that fact that we're pioneers to be able to take that game to Samoa - you know being the first franchise to take it there. And it's only fitting that we get to do that.
"The possibility of having a fixture in the islands every year is really special for us, but also for Samoa, Fiji, whatever nation it is because they offer so much to our game here in New Zealand and it's important that we give back in that kind of way and take games over there."
The Chiefs defeated the Crusaders 23-13 in Fiji last year in the first Super Rugby match to be played in the Pacific Islands and Kaino says he heard good feedback from the players, who enjoyed the occasion.