Champions' clash will not go ahead

A sought-after clash between Toulon and the Chiefs will not happen soon as the franchise announce their Super Rugby warm-up fixtures.

A sought-after clash between Toulon and the Chiefs will not happen soon as the franchise announce their Super Rugby warm-up fixtures.

The much-anticipated match-up between the reigning Heineken Cup and Super Rugby champions had been mooted for early 2014, but neither received the requisite backing from their unions for the game to go ahead.

While other factors including travel logistics, player availability and injuries were considered, Toulon owner Mourad Boudjellal reportedly offered to pay all expenses for the Waikato-based outfit should they field a full-strength outfit.

However, the Chiefs will prepare for the defence of their title with a trip to Queensland to take on the Reds on 8th February, before going up against the Blues in Rotorua on 14th February.

“The Toulon match was always contingent on us being able to take a full strength squad,” Chiefs CEO Andrew Flexman told the Rugby Heaven website,

“However due to our circumstances, this has changed, so now we will put our focus on our existing pre-season campaign and an important season ahead.

“We have not ruled out playing matches off-shore in the future.”