All Blacks release rigorous 14-Test season schedule

By SABC Sport
1st February 2024

Home Tests in Dunedin, Auckland and Wellington and a historic clash with Fiji in San Diego headline a blockbuster 14-Test season for the All Blacks under new Head Coach Scott Robertson.

New Zealand Rugby (NZR) has announced the All Blacks' full 2024 Test schedule, which will start against England in front of home fans at Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin on Saturday 6 July for the first of three Steinlager Ultra Low Carb Series Tests.

The All Blacks will play England in a return match at Eden Park in Auckland a week later before rounding out a unique third leg of the Steinlager Ultra Low Carb Series in a one-off rugby showcase in San Diego against fast-rising World Cup quarterfinalists Fiji. The All Blacks have played in San Diego once previously, against the USA in 1980.

Back-to-back Tests against Argentina at Sky Stadium in Wellington on Saturday 10 August and Eden Park on Saturday 17 August respectively will kick off an All Blacks Rugby Championship defence before back-to-back Tests against the Springboks in South Africa. The Rugby Championship campaign concludes with Bledisloe Cup Tests in Sydney on 21 September, and Sky Stadium in Wellington on 28 September.

The 2024 campaign concludes with a Northern Tour that starts against Japan in Yokohama on 26 October and takes in four November Tests against England, Ireland, France, and Italy.

“Playing England under the roof in Dunedin is a great start for us in a world-class stadium, and then we go up to Auckland where we have a great record that we are really proud of,” Robertson said.

“We then fly off to San Diego which is exciting in itself. The Fijians know their way around the world, and they’ll come out from everywhere. I know a lot of Kiwis will make the trip as well.”

Planning had already begun for the challenge that Argentina and Australia would present during the Rugby Championship while the tour to South Africa was expected to be another highlight, he said.

“We are playing up on the Highveld at Ellis Park and then down to Cape Town - they are iconic Tests and I know a lot of Kiwis will be excited about that. It is a great chance to find out about ourselves against the world champions. It’s a chance to support us locally but also internationally. It’s also a chance to get behind this team and experience it with us, which is the exciting thing about it. And be proud to wear your All Blacks jersey no matter where we go.”