Dunedin to host Junior All Blacks v Australia A

March 02, 2007 - 4:35pm
Story by: ARU Media

The Junior All Blacks will host Australia A in this year’s expanded IRB Pacific Nations Cup tournament as they look to defend the title they won last year.

The match will be played on Saturday 16 June at Carisbrook in Dunedin where the Junior All Blacks beat Japan 38–8 last year to clinch the inaugural IRB Pacific 5 Nations tournament.

Australia A joins the Junior All Blacks, Fiji, Japan, Samoa and Tonga in the expanded competition this year.

New Zealand Rugby Union Deputy Chief Executive Steve Tew said the Junior All Blacks’ participation in the Pacific Nations Cup was important for rugby in New Zealand and the game’s development in the Pacific Island nations and Asia.

“As our second national team, we have stressed the importance of a regular programme for the Junior All Blacks at the same time as the All Blacks to keep another group of international players game fit should they be required by the All Blacks,” Mr Tew said.

Mr Tew said the match in Dunedin offered rugby supporters in the South Island another opportunity to see quality international action in addition to the Philips Tri Nations Test between the All Blacks and Springboks in Christchurch on 14 July.

“We hope that the 4.30pm kick off for the Junior All Blacks match will attract a good crowd once again to Carisbrook,” Mr Tew added.

The full schedule for the IRB Pacific Nations Cup will be announced by the IRB in due course.