Wellington and Auckland to host 2019 Test match

New Zealand Rugby (NZR) has today announced Wellington’s Westpac Stadium will host South Africa, on 27 July 2019, in a condensed (due to Rugby World Cup) Investec Rugby Championship in 2019, while Auckland will host the Laurie O’Reilly Trophy and Bledisloe Cup in a return of the doubleheader Test match rugby event at Eden Park on 17 August 2019.

The Wellington Test match will effectively be a dress rehearsal of the All Blacks and South Africa’s much-anticipated opening pool match of Rugby World Cup in Japan in September.  It will be the only chance the two teams get to size each other up ahead of Rugby World Cup.

New Zealand Rugby CEO Steve Tew said:

“The Black Ferns love the trans Tasman rivalry, and they love playing in front of a home crowd.  Next year’s Eden Park doubleheader will be the second of two double headers – with the first to be played in Western Australia’s 60,000-seat Perth Stadium in Burswood on 10 August.

“For our All Blacks fans, these matches will be a special opportunity to look at the All Blacks before next year’s Rugby World Cup.”

2019 Investec Rugby Championship

All Blacks vs South Africa, Westpac Stadium, Wellington, 27 July 2019

Laurie O’Reilly Trophy

Black Ferns v Australia, Eden Park, Auckland, 17 August 2019

Bledisloe Cup

All Blacks v Australia, Eden Park, Auckland, 17 August 2019