All Blacks confirm 2022 home test schedule against Ireland, Wallabies and Los Pumas
New Zealand Rugby [NZR] has confirmed this year’s home test schedule for the All Blacks and the Black Ferns.
The All Blacks will kick their 2022 test campaign off with a three-test series against Ireland in July, and NZR announced on Tuesday that the tour will begin at Eden Park in Auckland on July 2.
The two sides will then do battle at Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin on July 9, before rounding out the series at Sky Stadium in Wellington on July 16.
The following month, the All Blacks will return to New Zealand after having travelled to South Africa to play two Rugby Championship tests against the Springboks to host Los Pumas across two tests in Hamilton and Christchurch.
The first of those tests will be held at Orangetheory Stadium on August 27, and will be followed by a second successive clash at FMG Stadium Waikato on September 3.
Both matches will act as Rugby Championship fixtures, with the test at Orangetheory Stadium the first the All Blacks will have played in Christchurch since their 41-13 win over the Springboks in 2016.
The sixth and final New Zealand-based test the All Blacks are scheduled to play this year is against the Wallabies at Eden Park on September 24 in a match that doubles as a Rugby Championship and Bledisloe Cup clash.
Confirmation of those six matches means more than half the tests the All Blacks are set to play this year have been cemented.
Other All Blacks matches that have been officially confirmed for this year includes the two tests against the Springboks, which will be played at Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit on August 6 and at Ellis Park in Johannesburg on August 13.
An end-of-year test against England at Twickenham in London on November 19 has also been locked in by the Rugby Football Union.
No confirmation has yet been made of where in Australia the first of the two Bledisloe Cup matches against the Wallabies will be held, nor has there been an official announcement regarding the remainder of New Zealand’s end-of-year tests.
However, NZR chief executive Mark Robinson revealed earlier this year that two of those November tests will come against Wales and Scotland, while confirmation of another test – likely to be against Japan – is also expected at a later date.
“The All Blacks have a big season ahead with the Steinlager Series against Ireland and a tough Rugby Championship schedule,” Robinson said in a statement on Tuesday.
“I know Foz [All Blacks head coach Ian Foster] and the team can’t wait for the season to kick off and I’m sure fans feel the same way.
“We have not hosted Ireland since 2012 and Argentina have not played here since 2018, so we cannot wait to welcome two great rugby rivals and their fans to our country.”
Meanwhile, NZR also announced four home fixtures for the Black Ferns in the lead-up to their World Cup campaign in New Zealand later this year.
The Black Ferns will play their first test on Kiwi shores since 2019 when they host Australia at a yet-to-be confirmed venue in the opening match of the Pacific Four Series on June 6.
That match, the first to be played by the Black Ferns under the guidance of new director of rugby Wayne Smith and his assistants Whitney Hansen and Wesley Clarke, will be followed by a clash against Canada at Trusts Arena in Auckland on June 12,
New Zealand’s third and final test of the series will be against the United States at Semenoff Stadium in Whangarei on June 18.
The Black Ferns will also host the first of two Laurie O’Reilly Series tests against the Wallaroos at Orangetheory Stadium in Christchurch on August 20, with the second to be staged in Australia.
All of those fixtures precede a World Cup campaign that kicks-off for the Black Ferns against Australia at Eden Park in Auckland on October 8.
“It has been a long time since the Black Ferns played a test in Aotearoa and the Pacific Four gives New Zealander’s the opportunity to get excited about women’s rugby in the build-up to the Rugby World Cup and to get behind their team in what is a huge year for the women’s game,” Robinson said.
2022 All Blacks home tests
July test series
July 2: All Blacks vs Ireland, 7:05pm, Eden Park in Auckland
July 9: All Blacks vs Ireland, 7:05pm, Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin
July 16: All Blacks vs Ireland, 7:05pm, Sky Stadium in Wellington
Rugby Championship/Bledisloe Cup
August 27: All Blacks vs Argentina, 7:05pm, Orangetheory Stadium in Christchurch
September 3: All Blacks vs Argentina, 7:05pm, FMG Stadium Waikato in Hamilton
September 24: All Blacks vs Australia, 7:05pm, Eden Park in Auckland
2022 Black Ferns pre-World Cup home tests
Pacific Four Series
June 6: Black Ferns vs Australia, 2:45pm, TBC
June 12: Black Ferns vs Canada, 2:45pm, Trusts Arena in Auckland
June 18: Black Ferns vs USA, 4pm, Semenoff Stadium in Whangarei
Laurie O’Reilly Series
August 20: Black Ferns vs Australia, 7:05pm, Orangetheory Stadium in Christchurch
Comments on RugbyPass
Sorry Morgan you must have been the “go to for a quote” ex player this week. Its rnd 6 and there is plenty of time to cement a starting 15 and finishing 8 so I have no such concerns.
1 Go to commentsGreat read. I wish you had done this article on the ROAR.
2 Go to commentsThe current AB coaching team is basically the Crusaders so it smacks of wanting their familiar leaders around. This is not a good look for the future of the ABs or the younger players in Super working their way up the player ladder. Razor is touted as innovative, forward looking but his early moves look like insecurity and insular, provincial thinking. He is the AB's coach not the Golden Oldies.
10 Go to commentsSimple reason for wanting him back. Robertson wants him as captain. Otherwise he wouldn’t be bothering chasing him. Not enough reason to come back just to mentor.
10 Go to commentsI had not considered this topic like this at all, brilliant read. I had been looking at his record at the Waratahs and thought it odd the Crusaders appointed him, then couple that with all that experience and talent departing and boom. They’ve got some great talent developing though, and in all honesty I don’t think anyone would be over confident taking them on in a playoff match, no matter how poor the first half of their season was. I think they can pull a game out of their ass when it counts.
2 Go to commentsNot a bad list but not Porecki and not Donaldson. Not because they are Tahs, or Ex Tahs, they are just not good enough. Edmed should be ahead. Far more potential. Wilson should be 8 and Valentini 6. Wilson needs to be told by his father and his coach, stop bloody running in to brick wall defence. You’re not playing under the genius Thorn any more. He’s a fantastic angle runner. The young new 8 from the Brumbies looks really good too. The Lonegrans are just too small for international rugby as is Paisami, as is Hamish Stewart at 12. Both great at Super Rugby level. Stewart could have been a great 10 if not for Brad Thorn. Uru should be there and so should Tupou. Tupou just needs good Australian coaching which he hasn’t been getting. I don’t think Schmidt will excite him.
2 Go to commentsIf he wants to come back then he should. He will be a major asset to the younger locks and could easily be played as an impact player off the bench coming on in the last 30. He is fit, strong and capable and has all the experience to make up for any loss in physical prowess. He could also be brought back with a view to coaching within the structures one day. Duane Vermeulen played until he was 37 or 38. He is now a roaming coach within the South African coaching structures. He was valuable in the last world cup and has been a major influence on Jasper Wiese and other young players which has helped and accelerated their development and growth. Whitelock could do the exact same thing for NZ
10 Go to commentsBrett Excellent words… finally someone (other than DC) has noted that Hanigan is very hard and very good at doing what Backrow should do… his performance via the Drua sauna was quite daunting for those on the other side… very high tackle count… carries with good end result… constant threat to make a good 20-25 meters with those long legs… providing his mass effectively to crunching the Drua pack… Finally he is returning to quality form… way to much injury time over the last 2 years… smart-strong-competent in his skills… caught every lineout throw aimed at him and delivered clean pass to whoever was down below… and he worked hard for the whole 80 minutes… Ned has to be in the top 5 for backrow honors… He knows what is required as he has been there before…
20 Go to commentsI think Sam Whitelock should not touch a return with a bargepole. He went out on a high, playing in the RWC Final. He would be coming back into a team that will be weaker than last years, and might even be struggling to win games, especially against the Boks. Stay in France, enjoy another year with Pau, playing alongside his brother.
10 Go to commentsRyan Coxon has been very impressive considering he was signed by WF as injury cover whilst Uru has been a standout for QR, surprised neither of those mentioned
2 Go to commentsIt’s the massive value he brings with regard team culture/values, preparation, etc. Can’t buy that. I’m hoping to see the young locks get their chance in the big games though.
10 Go to commentsAll good, Gregor, except that you neglected to mention Sam Darry amongst that talented pool of locks. In fact, given Hannah’s inexperience and the fact that Holland won’t be eligible until next year, Lord and Darry might be the frontrunners this year, to join Barrett, Tuipoluto, Va’ii and possibly Whitelock. In fact there might be room for all of them if Barrett played 6 (like Ollie Chessum).
10 Go to commentsHis value is stabilizing the ship 20 - 40 minutes out from the final whistle plus his valuable experience to the underlings coming through.
10 Go to commentsWhat is criminal is she acts like it's no problem her actions have have cause the Italian player to lose her playing career, lose salary, if she did this in day to day life she would be in jail, she is a complete thug!!!
3 Go to commentsCorrect me if i’m wrong but the sadas have to win all games running into the finals yeh nah?
1 Go to commentsDon’t like Diamond but the maul is a joke, the sight of a choke tackle creating a maul then players in offside positions flopping on it killing the ball but then getting the put in? Banal.
3 Go to commentsHopefully Tabai Matson returns to Crusaders as head coach next season.
1 Go to commentsstorm in a teacup really. Penalty only so play on as the try was scored. Now the real question is: why was Maitland allowed to pass the ball off the floor? That is illegal but refs never pick it up.
1 Go to commentsWhen Beauden Barrett signed his contract before the 2023 RWC to play in Japan in 2024, it was NOT part of a sabbatical agreed to with NZRU prior to his signing, as was Ardie Savea and Sam Cane. Barrett changed his mind after the fact and negotiated his return to NZ Rugby and he was given permission to be eligible for All Black selection straight away once he signed a new contract to return to the Blues in 2025. Therefore, why would anyone argue against Whitelock returning to the All Blacks straight away after his season is France is finished if he signs a new contract with NZRU which includes a Super Rugby contract in 2025? If Barrett can, Whitelock should be allowed too.
10 Go to commentsThe All Blacks will select 5 locks this season. Scott Robertson will most likely want to select 2 veteran locks who can start right away in 2024 and 3 young promising locks who he would like to be pushing hard for selection in the starting XV in two years time- 2026. Scott Barrett is a world class lock. Who would you rather start beside him this season against England, South Africa, Ireland, and France- Sam Whitelock or Patrick Tuipulotu? I would choose Whitelock over Tuipulotu all day, every day.
10 Go to comments