Historic spread for Kiwi Tests
Thu, 08 Oct 2009 10:36
The All Blacks will play home Test matches in New Plymouth, Dunedin, Hamilton, Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch next year, with the venues for the 2010 June internationals and Tri-Nations confirmed on Thursday.
The All Blacks will kick off their season with a Test against the 2009 Six Nations champions Ireland in New Plymouth, on Saturday June 12.
This will be followed by two Tests against Wales, in Dunedin on Saturday June 19 and Hamilton, on Saturday June 26.
The Test in Dunedin will be an historic match for the city.
It will be the first time Wales have ever played against the All Blacks in Dunedin.
It is also expected to be the last time the All Blacks will play at Carisbrook, with the new Otago Stadium development due to be completed in 2011.
New Plymouth has secured a significant Test for the Taranaki region - with Ireland scheduled to play the All Blacks there on June 12. It is the city's second Test, following a successful sell-out event when they hosted their first All Blacks home Test against Samoa in 2008.
Christchurch will also host a Bledisloe Cup Test in the Tri-Nations, which will be the first Test to be held in the re-developed stadium.
New Zealand Rugby Union Chief Executive Steve Tew said the All Blacks Test schedule at home promised much excitement and many great opportunities for the regions hosting matches.
"The Dunedin, New Plymouth and Christchurch Test matches will be quite special, all for different reasons, and I'm sure that rugby fans in those regions will already be looking forward to these historic Test events," he said.
Meanwhile, the venues for the other All Blacks home Tests in the Tri-Nations have also been confirmed.
The All Blacks will play two home Tests against South Africa - in Auckland on Saturday July 10 and Wellington, the following weekend, Saturday July 17. They then play Australia in Christchurch on Saturday August 7.
New Zealand's 2010 domestic schedule:
Saturday, June 12: v Ireland - New Plymouth
Saturday, June 19: v Wales - Dunedin
Saturday, June 26: v Wales - Hamilton
Saturday, July 10: v South Africa - Auckland
Saturday, July 17: v South Africa - Wellington
Saturday, August 7: v Australia - Christchurch
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