All Blacks to play test in Christchurch this winter

New Zealand Rugby Rugby CEO Mark Robinson has confirmed that the All Blacks will play in Christchurch for the first time since 2016, in a clash against Argentina this winter.

“Even though I talk about the financial implications of Covid and the need to drive revenue where possible, we’re still a stadium of five to six million people,” Robinson said.

“People across the country are incredibly passionate about it (rugby) and love the opportunity to see international rugby, so that’s always been a balancing act for this organisation and it will continue to be.

“We want to make sure as many people in our communities can enjoy top quality rugby and teams in black as much as possible.”

Robinson also confirmed matches against Ireland in Auckland, Wellington and Dunedin in July.

“We confirmed that we’ll play the Steinlager Series against Ireland in Auckland, Wellington and Dunedin throughout July,” he said.

“We are still working on the prospect of playing midweek games against Ireland. There’s nothing more to report on that officially, but work is going on behind the scenes with Irish Rugby to look at that.

“The Rugby Championship fixtures in New Zealand, we will play Argentina in Hamilton and Christchurch.

“We play the South Africans in the Republic for both of those games this year. We will play one of the two games for the Bledisloe in Auckland at Eden Park.

“We have the Pac Four tournament. New Zealand, Australia, Canada and USA and we’ll be playing three double headers for that series. They will be in Tauranga, Waitakere and Whangarei.

“Waitakere and Whangarei is a strong nod to the Rugby World Cup 2021, being played in 2022, where they are the key venues for that tournament.

“The Laurie O’Reilly Trophy will be played in Christchurch for the Black Ferns (against Australia) later in the year.”