13 Jul 2013

First All Blacks official test in Japan confirmed

5:57 am on 13 July 2013

The New Zealand Rugby Union has confirmed the All Blacks will play their first official test in Japan.

The match will be played ahead of the November northern hemisphere tour at the end of the year, which includes tests against France, England and Ireland.

New Zealand Rugby Union chief executive Steve Tew says the test won't be a big income earner for the union, as the test is an opportunity to give younger players more test experience.

He says the Japan union will meet the All Blacks' tour costs and any profits will be shared evenly.

The match will be played on Sunday November 2nd, at Japan's national rugby stadium in Tokyo.