All Blacks Test match venues (upcoming fixtures)

[sparky]

Italy were dreadful in all their 6 Nations games this year. Totally uncompetitive. Unless something goes very wrong, the ABs should be far too good for Italy.

[mofitzy_]

@sparky
Chance to blood a few players ? Unlikely but no better time.

[pukunui]

@mofitzy_ said in All Blacks Test match venues (upcoming fixtures):

@sparky
Chance to blood a few players ? Unlikely but no better time.

Chance to paper over some cracks more likely.

[Bovidae]

With the Lions series the only decent side available to tour NZ is France, and they are in Aust.

I note that Wiki has the NZ-Fiji game in Whangarei. Must be correct.

[Stargazer]

Nothing confirmed, yet.

The All Blacks could reportedly square off against a surprise opponent in one of two additional tests to the three matches already pencilled in for their end-of-year tour.

According to the New Zealand Herald, money-spinning tests against Wales and the United States are being planned by New Zealand Rugby [NZR] to take place in October.

NZR are reportedly looking to face off against the USA Eagles in a surprise clash at a yet-to-be-determined venue on October 23.

The Herald reports that the All Blacks XV team, which was announced last March as a feeder side to the top-tier national team, could be used to face the USA Eagles after COVID-19 prevented the side from debuting last year.

The All Blacks still remain an option to face the USA Eagles, though, in what would be the two side’s first meeting since the New Zealanders thumped the Americans 74-6 at a sold-out Soldier Field in Chicago seven years ago.

A clash against Wales, meanwhile, is understood to be held at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium a week later on October 30.

The two matches against the USA and Wales, which sit outside World Rugby’s designated test windows, would add an extra $2-3 million per test to NZR’s coffers via broadcast, ticket sales, and sponsorship revenue.

The fixtures would also bring the total number of matches on the All Blacks’ end-of-year tour to five, as Ian Foster’s squad are already scheduled to face France, Italy and Ireland.

The Herald also reports that NZR are eyeing up a two-test series against Fiji and a one-off North vs South clash as an alternative option should Italy be unable to travel to New Zealand to face the All Blacks in their two-match test series in July.

Fiji are already scheduled to face the All Blacks once in July, but could be called upon to fill the void if the global pandemic prevents the Italians from making the trip in three months’ time.

Report: All Blacks set to face surprise opponent during multi-million dollar end-of-year tour

The All Blacks could reportedly square off against a surprise opponent in one of two additional tests on their end-of-year tour.

[Machpants]

@stargazer As long as we get the game here in Whangarei I'll be happy!

EDIT: Fakatava on the bench vs Eagles

[Stargazer]

@machpants said in All Blacks Test match venues (upcoming fixtures):

EDIT: Fakatava on the bench vs Eagles

NZR is reading the Fern!?

[Machpants]

@stargazer said in All Blacks Test match venues (upcoming fixtures):

@machpants said in All Blacks Test match venues (upcoming fixtures):

EDIT: Fakatava on the bench vs Eagles

NZR is reading the Fern!?

No, my suggestion

[Stargazer]

@machpants Did you suggest playing an All Blacks XV v USA Eagles match?

There's about a whole thread about letting Fakatava play late in the year in an easy match ...

[Higgins]

@machpants said in All Blacks Test match venues (upcoming fixtures):

@stargazer As long as we get the game here in Whangarei I'll be happy!

EDIT: Fakatava on the bench vs Eagles

Or he could start a game and pull his hammy in the first five seconds and need replacing.

[Machpants]

@higgins said in All Blacks Test match venues (upcoming fixtures):

@machpants said in All Blacks Test match venues (upcoming fixtures):

@stargazer As long as we get the game here in Whangarei I'll be happy!

EDIT: Fakatava on the bench vs Eagles

Or he could start a game and pull his hammy in the first five seconds and need replacing.

Yup, either is fine by me!

[antipodean]

@higgins said in All Blacks Test match venues (upcoming fixtures):

@machpants said in All Blacks Test match venues (upcoming fixtures):

@stargazer As long as we get the game here in Whangarei I'll be happy!

EDIT: Fakatava on the bench vs Eagles

Or he could start a game and pull his hammy in the first five seconds and need replacing.

Works for everyone.

[Stargazer]

The Welsh Rugby Union has confirmed a number of November fixtures, including one against the All Blacks on Sat 30 October 2021 (Sun 31/10 NZT) in Cardiff.

[Machpants]

@stargazer said in All Blacks Test match venues (upcoming fixtures):

The Welsh Rugby Union has confirmed a number of November fixtures, including one against the All Blacks on Sat 30 October 2021 (Sun 31/10 NZT) in Cardiff.

Be cruisey game, no England based players

[nzzp]

@machpants said in All Blacks Test match venues (upcoming fixtures):

Be cruisey game, no England based players

Ireland in Chicago? Pfft, no worries, we'll play Jerome at lock

[Tim]

The Herald can also reveal that the planned two tests against Italy in July will no longer be played, with the Azzurri having indicated they won't be coming to New Zealand.

All Blacks set for 47-year first as opponent pulls out

[Machpants]

@tim What a mess!

[Bovidae]

So a North-South match followed by 2 tests against Fiji?

[Stargazer]

@bovidae They could also throw another MABs v MP in the mix.

[Machpants]

@tim said in All Blacks Test match venues (upcoming fixtures):

The Herald can also reveal that the planned two tests against Italy in July will no longer be played, with the Azzurri having indicated they won't be coming to New Zealand.

All Blacks set for 47-year first as opponent pulls out

Paywall so

July tests Italy allegedly pulled out of coming here, Ireland Def not going to Fiji. Possible ABs double header vs Fiji and A N Other international/test.

3 Bleds in a row 7th Aug Welly, Melb, 21st AKL - two of them count as RC. Arg and SA ( if the deign to grace us with their presence) play RC in both NZ and Oz, cos we can travel within bubble once they;ve been in either Oz or NZ for 2 weeks.