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All Blacks finalise home fixtures for 2020 international calendar
The new All Blacks coach will start his tenure against Wales at Eden Park on July 4 – in a repeat of the Rugby World Cup bronze medal match.
New Zealand Rugby (NZR) have announced the venues and dates for the All Blacks season, with Auckland, Wellington, Dunedin and Hamilton set to share hosting rights for the six home tests.
The All Blacks play Wales in Auckland on July 4 – a fitting venue for new Wales head coach and former Auckland and North Harbour coach Wayne Pivac.
The Season: Hamilton Boys High School – Episode 4
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The two sides will then play in Wellington a week later in what will be Wales’ first visit to New Zealand since 2016.
Scotland arrive for a one-off test in Dunedin on July 18 – the Scots’ first match against the All Blacks on New Zealand soil in 20 years.
The All Blacks face Dave Rennie’s Wallabies in their first Rugby Championship match in Wellington on August 15, while also hosting Argentina at FMG Stadium Waikato on August 29 and the world champion Springboks at Eden Park on September 5.
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“Post Rugby World Cup there is always a degree of the unknown. The All Blacks will have a new head coach and some new players and I’m sure New Zealanders can’t wait to again get behind the team,” said NZR Chief Rugby Officer Nigel Cass.
“Wales and Australia also have new coaches and will bring a lot of energy. It’s fantastic to have Scotland back in New Zealand after such a long time. Our countries have always had close ties and that’s been particularly true of Dunedin where no doubt the region will be ready to roll out the tartan welcome mat.
“And, what better finish to the home schedule than a Test against South Africa at Eden Park for the Freedom Cup.”
The All Blacks are expected to announce Steve Hansen’s successor later this month – with Ian Foster and Scott Robertson believed to be the front-runners.
All Blacks’ home fixtures
All Blacks v Wales, 7.35pm, Saturday 4 July, Eden Park, Auckland
All Blacks v Wales, 7.35pm, Saturday 11 July, Sky Stadium, Wellington
All Blacks v Scotland, 7.35pm, Saturday 18 July, Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin
All Blacks v Australia, 7.35pm, Saturday 15 August, Sky Stadium, Wellington
All Blacks v Argentina, 7.35pm, Saturday 29 August, FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton
All Blacks v South Africa, 7.35pm, Saturday 5 September, Eden Park, Auckland
This article first appeared on nzherald.co.nz and was republished with permission.
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Comments on RugbyPass
smith at 9 / mounga 10 / laumape 12 / fainganuku 14
36 Go to commentsBar the injuries, it’s pretty much their top team …
2 Go to commentsDon’t disagree with much of this but it appears you forgot Rodda and Beale, who started at the Force on the weekend.
9 Go to commentsExcept for the injured Zach Gallagher this would be Saders best forward pack for the season. Blackadder needs to stay at 7, for all of Christies tackling he is not dominant and offers very little else. McNicholfullback is maybe a good option, Fihaki not really upto it, there was a reason Burke played there last year. Maybe Havilli to 2nd five McLeod to wing. Need a strong winger on 1 side to compliment Reece
1 Go to commentsTo me TJ is clearly the best 9 in the competition right now but he's also a proven player off the bench, there's few playmaking players who can come off the bench as calm and settled as he is, Beauden can, TJ can and I doubt any of the scrumhalves in contention can, if they want to experiment with new 9s I want him on the bench ready to step in if they crumble under the pressure. The Boks put their best front row on the bench, I'd like to see us take a similar approach, the Hurricanes have been doing similar things with players like Kirifi.
36 Go to commentsROG has better chance to win a WC if he starts training and make himself eligible as a player. He won’t make the Ireland squad but I reckon he may get close with Namibia (needs to improve his Afrikaans) or Portugal. Both sides had 1000:1 odds to win the RWC in 2023 which is an improvement on ROG’s odds of winning a RWC as a coach. Unlike Top 14 teams, national teams can’t go shopping and buy the best players - you work with the available talent pool and turn them into world beaters.
2 Go to commentsthat backline nope that backline is terrible why would you have sevu Reece when he’s not even top 5 wingers in the comp why have Blackadder when there’s better players no Scott barret isn’t an automatic the guy is more of a liability than anything why have him there when you have samipeni who’s far far better
36 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
49 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
36 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
36 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
17 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. All the Kiwis sticking up for this unprincipled individual because they can't accept justified criticism, he has zero credibility or integrity. Those praising him are a joke.
17 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
36 Go to commentsTamati Williams, Codie Taylor, and Same Cane? Not sure about Hoskins Sotutu at test level. Wasn’t that impressive last season. Need a balance between experience and talent/youth.
36 Go to commentsInteresting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
17 Go to commentsThey played at night in Suva last weekend and it’s an afternoon game forecast for 19 degrees in Canberra this weekend. Heat change is a non issue.
2 Go to commentsWishing Rosie a speedy recovery
1 Go to commentsObscene that SA haven’t been knocking
1 Go to commentsChances of Blackadder being injured seem too high to give him serious consideration. ABs loosie combination finally looked good with 2 committed to tackling and clearing rucks in the centre and Ardie roaming. Hoskins/Ardie together would force one of them into where they don’t excel and don’t get to use their talent, or require a change in tactics. If we continue to evolve last years systems I would take Papali’i and Finau at 6 and 7 (conceding that Blackadder will be injured) and Ardie at 8.
36 Go to comments