Fiji to play test in Dunedin; hopes for Boks

A panoramic view of Forsyth Barr Stadium on Saturday night. Photos: Peter McIntosh
A panoramic view of Forsyth Barr Stadium. Photo: Peter McIntosh
Fiji has been bagged, now it is fingers crossed for the world champion Springboks to be hooked.

The All Blacks will come back to the South Island for the first time in three years when they take on Fiji at Forsyth Barr Stadium on July 10.

New Zealand Rugby announced the schedule for the July internationals yesterday. With Italy pulling out of its two-test series last week, the union went with nations close to home.

The All Blacks begin their season with a test against Tonga at Mt Smart Stadium in Auckland on July 3.

A week later, they head to Dunedin to take on Fiji in the first of two tests. The second test against Fiji will be in Hamilton on July 17.

The game at Mt Smart Stadium will also feature the Maori All Blacks taking on Samoa.

The test in Hamilton will also boast a match between Samoa and Tonga which will be a World Cup qualifier.

Otago Rugby Football Union general manager Richard Kinley said it was fantastic news the city had been awarded a test.

‘‘It is an opportunity for people to see international rugby again. We haven’t had a test down here since 2018 and we know how much people want to watch the All Blacks,’’ he said.

The ticketing arrangements were still being worked through but were expected to go in sale early next month.

Usually, tickets are sold well in advance but due to the changing nature of the border and restrictions, will only be available just over a month before the game.

The All Blacks are expected to play six internationals at home during the Rugby Championship.

Kinley said negotiations were continuing over the hosting of tests for that competition.

Dunedin was keen to host one of the two tests to be played against the Springboks. It will be 100 years since the two countries first played a test, in Dunedin in 1921. The sides have played each other 99 times.

Kinley said plenty of hard work had gone in to trying to get a game against the world champion in Dunedin.

‘‘Dunedin has positioned itself in the best possible way it could to get another test match this year.’’

Negotiations were continuing with Sanzaar over the hosting of the championship which is expected to take place in Australia and New Zealand in August and September.

It will be more than three years since a test has been played under the roof of Forsyth Barr Stadium.

The All Blacks beat France in June, 2018. A limited home test programme was played in 2019 because of the World Cup while the two tests played last year in New Zealand were in the North Island.

Kinley said NZR had to balance financial return with getting the All Blacks out and about the country. He said plans as to when the All Blacks would arrive in Dunedin and public events were yet to be finalised.

Fiji last played the All Blacks in 2011, which was the last test at Carisbrook.

Ticketing was yet to be confirmed but NZR indicated ticket prices would be as low as from $30 for a child and $50 for an adult.

Whether Fiji will be able to field a full-strength team is still up in the air. The side will have to quarantine for two weeks when it arrives and training arrangements will be compromised.

The seasons in the English and French top leagues also do not finish until the final weekend of June.

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