All Blacks to take on Barbarians
Duncan Johnstone, www.rugbyheaven.co.nz | April 8, 2009
The New Zealand Rugby Union are forging on with plans to include a test against Wales on an end of year tour that could eventually push out to six matches kicked off with a neutral Bledisloe Cup in against Australia in Japan.
The NZRU have confirmed a December 5 date with the Barbarians at Twickenham that will complete the tour.
At present four fixtures have been confirmed, including tests against Italy, France and England.
But there are two weeks open at the start of November that could allow New Zealand to include a lucrative test against Wales at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.
November is the window where the European clubs have to make their players available to international rugby and the month where the NZRU must strike their deals.
Wales coach Warren Gatland is keen to keep his side in tune with the best teams in the world and is pushing for a match against the All Blacks.
It could also be a lucrative money-spinner for the NZRU.
New Zealand and Wales are building their relationship and there is talk of Wales' tour here next year including midweek matches, again something that Gatland is pushing for.
But the big money on the 2009 tour could come from the Japan Bledisloe Cup match which will be played by the All Blacks and Wallabies en route to Europe.
It follows last year's successful staging of a Bledisloe Cup test in Hong Kong.
NZRU chief executive Steve Tew has confirmed that Denver, who were in a bidding war with Tokyo to host this year's fixture is off the agenda for the time being.
NZRU officials are in Tokyo this week for further discussions with Japanese officials.
No midweek matches have been allocated as yet for the end of year tour.
Therefore it looks as though the All Blacks touring party will be restricted to 30 players for this tour, as opposed to the 35 who headed north at the end of last year for a trip that included a midweek clash with Heineken Cup champions Munster.
The NZRU revealed they were keen for the Barbarians match to be played midweek following their Saturday November 28 test with France in Marseille.
But consents around the ground would have reduced the capacity of Twickenham considerably and the All Blacks year's playing schedule will now run till the end of the first week of December to cash in on a full house at the London headquarters.
Matches arranged so far for the 2009 end of year tour:
Saturday November 14: Italy v All Blacks, San Siro Stadium, Milan
Saturday, November 21: England v All Blacks, Twickenham, London
Saturday, November 28: France v All Blacks, Stade Velodrome, Marseille
Saturday, December 5: Barbarians v All Blacks, Twickenham, London
