Samoan PM confirms NZ Test in Apia

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The Prime Minister of Samoa, Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegao, has confirmed that the All Blacks will face Samoa in Apia on July 8, 2015.

The Samoan leader revealed the news on his weekly radio programme that a letter confirming the fixture had been received from the NZRU.

The fixture, to be played on a Wednesday, will be the first between the two countries ever to be played in Samoa.

Tuilaepa added that renovations would be carried out on Apia Park ahead of next year's fixture, with help from overseas.

Given the timing of the fixture, it's likely to be used as a warm-up match before the Rugby Championship begins, in a busy year before the Rugby World Cup in England.

http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,2...386056,00.html

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British and Irish Lions legend Brian O'Driscoll believes the 2017 tourists should play a fixture in the Pacific Islands en route to New Zealand.

O'Driscoll, who was part of four tours, said that the game should be played instead of one such as 2013's against the Barbarians in Hong Kong.

"It's probably more of a give than take for the Lions [to play in the Pacific Islands] but it would be great for the people there and it would probably take away from that commercial feel that the Lions are this commercial juggernaut," he told The Times.

"It might be a clever move from the Lions' point of view to play a game down there."

The retired player's stance comes after the All Blacks agreed to play a game in Samoa ahead of the 2015 World Cup, with IRB general manager for Oceania, William Glenwright, believing Irishman O'Driscoll's call is a good one.

Read more: http://www.planetrugby.com/lions/sto...387333,00.html