The match, originally scheduled to be played on November 30th, will now take place on a date to be announced. The ground-breaking fixture, intended to generate substantial funds for the development of rugby in Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, Romania and Georgia, has received the backing and support of unions throughout the world.

Dr Syd Millar, Acting Chairman of the IRB, said, "There is widespread enthusiasm for this fixture, backed by very substantial commercial interest. It promises to raise a great deal of money for a number of unions which the Board has targeted as capable of bridging the gap with the leading nations of the world, and it is regrettable that a postponement has become necessary. However, a combination of various practical difficulties and a narrowing time window means that we can not now realise the full potential of the match on the date originally planned."