The Crusaders will play their round 16 Super Rugby game against the Hurricanes in Nelson after having flirted with idea of Fiji as a venue.

The seven-time champions are unable to use their home venue of AMI Stadium in Christchurch for the May 29 encounter as it is being used for a under-20 soccer World Cup game.

A board meeting confirmed Nelson’s Trafalgar Park will host the fixture, their only home game played outside Christchurch.

Chief executive Hamish Riach said a historic game in Suva had been considered but, while it was a compelling option, Nelson had more in its favour.

Riach said the players and coaches were consulted for their preferences.

This week their veteran All Blacks first five-eighth Dan Carter said the players would have been reluctant to play in Suva because of the extra travel involved.