New Zealand to play Fiji in historic San Diego clash
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The All Blacks are moving a home Test abroad for the first time when they face Fiji at San Diego State’s Snapdragon Stadium on July 20 (AEDT).
It will be the first time the All Blacks and Fiji will meet at a neutral site, as well as Fiji’s inaugural visit to the United States.
The All Blacks have played several exhibition matches in the United States throughout the years, including a 53-6 victory against the US at what was then known as San Diego Stadium in 1980.
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That stadium was replaced by the 35,000 seat Snapdragon Stadium, which opened in 2022.
“It’s a massive step for New Zealand rugby, bringing a home Test over to the States,” said Ma’a Nonu, the 41-year-old former All Blacks star who now plays for the San Diego Legion.
Given most American rugby fans have only seen the All Blacks on TV, “coming to the States is pretty exciting when the All Blacks touch down here,” Nonu said at a news conference.
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“It’s such a physical game. Most of us have been coaching here in America and a lot of the kids love the contact. They’ll see that when they come here in July.”
The All Blacks last year narrowly missed a record fourth Rugby World Cup title, which went to South Africa in a 12-11 win.
Fiji beat Australia for the first time in 69 years and made the quarter-finals, equalling its best ever finish.
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Fiji great Waisale Serevi, a member of the World Rugby Hall of Fame, said the Test match will be huge for his country as well.
“Giving Fiji the opportunity to play them on neutral ground, for a small country, is a blessing for Fiji,” Serevi said.
“It’s an honour and a privilege for Fiji to be invited to be a part of the big Test coming up.”
The Test will help promote the sport in the United States, which will host the men’s World Cup in 2031 and the women’s in 2033.
“It’s been a long held ambition for New Zealand Rugby and part of our wider strategy to increase the visibility and understanding of rugby in North America and to build our brand presence ahead of the men’s and women’s Rugby World Cups in 2031 and 2033, respectively,” New Zealand Rugby boss Mark Robinson said.
“The All Blacks and Fiji share a deep connection to the game of rugby and to the Pacific region. We want to deliver an event that will capture the imagination of sports fans across the United States and showcases the best qualities of our game,” Robinson added.
“It promises to be a unique and entertaining afternoon of rugby and Pacific culture, and a great advertisement for the game.”
The San Diego match is one of 14 Tests the All Blacks will play in nine countries in their first season under new head coach Scott Robertson.
Robertson’s first Test in charge will be against England at Dunedin on July 6.
The All Blacks will play England again at Auckland’s Eden Park on July 13 before flying to San Diego to face Fiji.
“Playing England under the roof in Dunedin is a great start for us in a world class stadium and then we go up to Auckland where we have a great record that we are really proud of,” Robertson said.
“We then fly off to San Diego, which is exciting in itself. The Fijians know their way around the world and they’ll come out from everywhere. I know a lot of Kiwis will make the trip as well.”
New Zealand will play home Rugby Championship Tests against Argentina in Wellington on August 10 and Auckland on August 17.
They will then play world champion South Africa in Johannesburg on August 31 and Cape Town on September 7.
“We are playing up on the Highveld at Ellis Park and then down to Cape Town – they are iconic Tests and I know a lot of Kiwis will be excited about that. It is a great chance to find out about ourselves against the world champions,” Robertson said.
AT A GLANCE
All Blacks’ 2024 Test schedule:
July 6: vs England (Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin)
July 13: vs England (Eden Park, Auckland)
July 20: vs Fiji (SnapDragon Stadium, San Diego)
August 10: vs Argentina (Sky Stadium, Wellington)
August 17: vs Argentina (Eden Park, Auckland)
August 31: vs South Africa (Ellis Park, Johannesburg)
September 7: vs South Africa (DHL Stadium, Cape Town)
September 21: vs Australia (Stadium Australia, Sydney)
September 28: vs Australia (Sky Stadium, Wellington)
October 26: vs Japan (Nissan Stadium, Yokohama)
November 2: vs England (Twickenham, London)
November 9: vs Ireland (venue TBC)
November 16: vs France (venue TBC)
November 23: vs Italy (venue TBC)
