Eden Park: Will host France in three tests next June
Related links
Teams
Also see
The All Blacks kick off their 2013 home schedule with a rerun of last year's World Cup final as they host France at the same venue in June.
Unveiling their fixture for the new year, New Zealand revealed they will face last year's runners up in a three-match Test, starting on June 8 at Auckland's Eden Park, then in Christchurch on June 15 and New Plymouth a week later.
The All Blacks then play Australia in Wellington (August 24), Argentina in Hamilton (September 7) and South Africa in Auckland (September 14) to defend the Rugby Championship they won this year.
They end the home season with a Bledisloe Cup tie against Australia in Dunedin on October 19.
New Zealand Rugby Union chief executive Steve Tew said the mercurial French promised to provide a stern challenge for the All Blacks as they seek to avenge last year's 8-7 defeat.
"I am sure fans will be especially excited about France returning to Eden Park on June 8 for their first match-up with the All Blacks since that pulsating encounter ... last October," he said.
Tew added it was the first time New Zealand had hosted seven home Tests since 2008.
The All Blacks' 2013 domestic Test schedule:
June 8: v France, Eden Park, Auckland
June 15: v France, AMI Stadium, Christchurch
June 22: v France, Yarrow Stadium, New Plymouth
August 24: v Australia, Westpac Stadium, Wellington
September 7: v Argentina, Waikato Stadium, Hamilton
September 14: v South Africa, Eden Park, Auckland
October 19: v Australia, Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin
Comments
jmanngod says...
Drought over TriNuts? Did you guys come over a thieve the Cup? Might be the only way you'll get it... keeping in character though. France - More pain!
Posted 04:58 03rd November 2012
KiwiLad says...
Trinats, are you staill afraid of the boogey man?
Posted 04:38 03rd November 2012
2eyedkiwi says...
Yep - thats right Sincero, it'll be fixed as always. No other way the All Blacks could possibly win. You should add a "bok" to your name... And yes Miladoui, I'm absolutely certain the NZRFU (probably with Paddys help) made sure the test coincided with the final of the Top14. It surely wouldn't have anything to do with the IRB making the dates of the international test playing window.
Trinats6 - why the specific issue with Eden Park? The Wallabies haven't won at any venue in NZ for over 11yrs?
Posted 01:35 03rd November 2012
Ramage says...
What a sad person you are Sincero.
@ Miladiou it is the IRB who sets these dates as there is a window where tests are played in the SH in June and the NH in November. There is always arguments about a) the availability of players either side of this window and the availability of players in the French competition as it is so long. Just to inform you that the dates are not set by NZ they are given the window of time by the IRB and then only decide on where the matches will be played. There is always difficulties with the French as their domestic competition is longer . Gatland has stated he wants the players available to travel together to Australia but their travel is at the time of the French final. So there are logistic difficulties for any player who wants to represent his country and also play in a domestic French final.
@Trinuts are you sure that's swearing in French, once again you show your total ignorance because everyone knows those words are Afrikaans. Not a bad effort though for a Queenslander who spells BEER as XXXX.
Posted 01:01 03rd November 2012
Ferdie says...
great news for Taranaki to host a major test, only their third All Black test ever (Samoa, Ireland) - 'rugby to the provinces' a region with population 104,000, sure to sell out the Yarrow Stadium of 25,500. Might even get some Aucklanders travel down for the event!
And Argentina in Hamilton too, continuing the move away from the 'big four' centres.
Posted 23:36 02nd November 2012
Ferdie says...
Miladiou - this is the 'test window'.
Four of the five NZ Super teams are also playing weekend of 1 June (Chiefs have bye).
Bit early to be suggesting France send a weakened side.
Posted 23:16 02nd November 2012
whizz52 says...
Sincero...You will need to find a new excuse Paddy is no longer around! Still I am sure you will be able to come up with something new because you will need an excuse for losing!
Posted 21:21 02nd November 2012
Rosbif says...
Well said Miladiou. Something the NZ commentary team are unlikely to know/mention......
By the way, all the national squad players were also out for their clubs in T14 this week, so PSA gets them on Monday morning, patched up, many on half a leg, and gets 2 light training runs with them before Australia on Saturday.
What other national team has such a crazy schedule?
I note the Welsh are in cryotherapy in Poland, while the Irish, English and Scots have all been in camp for 2 weeks now ahead of their autumn tests.....
Nice level playing field :-)
Posted 18:13 02nd November 2012
andy1000 says...
@Milidiou - this happens every year that France tour south as the Top 14 finishes so much later than the other leagues in Europe. It's France's problem not NZ, Australia or SA (depending on who they tour).
Posted 16:55 02nd November 2012
JayStarr says...
@ Miladiou: Well it is also a week after the All Blacks have to play a Super Rugby game... The June tests for us in the SH falls exactly in the middle of the Super Rugby tournament - our players don't get a break a week before to prepare, or a week after to rest... they play for the Crusaders/Chiefs/Stormers/Sharks, etc. one Saturday, then they're in a test the next Saturday. So if we can do it France can do it. All your guys won't even be playing in the final.
Posted 15:59 02nd November 2012
Trinats2 says...
I will swear in French ................Craig Joubert.
Bledilsoe cup drought is over, no game at Evil Park !!!
Posted 14:40 02nd November 2012
Miladiou says...
It's a real shame that the first test is 1 week after the Top 14 final meaning it will be a French B or C team lining up for that game depending on the finalists.
Why can't NZ push it back a week? Or do they want to ensure an easy 50 point win to help put the series in the bag!
Posted 13:46 02nd November 2012
Theshaw says...
Any idea what Chanel these matches will be broadcast on? Sky?
Posted 11:22 02nd November 2012
JayStarr says...
Now THAT sounds like an interesting tour ! I'm sure they will have no problem whatsoever selling tickets!
This means South Africa will either get the Irish or Welsh - yay! Their fans are way more fun than the English...
Posted 11:11 02nd November 2012
Sincero says...
Interesting... will Paddy O'Brien be fixing this series for them as well?
Posted 11:01 02nd November 2012
rugby_rockstar says...
It'll be interesting to see if a warm up match against a south sea island team appears on June the 2nd. I hope not.
Posted 09:15 02nd November 2012