WELLINGTON, 17 December 2005 — The All Blacks will play Ireland twice at home and a single Test in Argentina as well as defending their Tri-Nations title in an expanded competition in 2006.
New Zealand will play Ireland on June 10 at Hamilton and in a second Test at Auckland the following week, according to a schedule released by the New Zealand Rugby Union yesterday. They will also play a one-off Test against Argentina on June 24 in what coach Graham Henry says will be a tough battle for New Zealand against “one of international rugby’s most improved sides” over recent years. “New Zealand fans will also remember the last time the All Blacks played Argentina over there, (the All Blacks) just got home with a 24-20 win,” Henry said of the 2001 Test when a try in extra time saved them from a disastrous loss. Next year New Zealand, Australia and South Africa play an expanded Tri-Nations series, playing each other three times rather than twice. The date of the third match against the Wallabies is yet to be confirmed as either Aug. 17 or 18. “There is a possibility that the match will be played on Friday the 18th of August to give the All Blacks an extra day to recover before the long flight to South Africa,” NZRFU Deputy Chief Executive Steve Tew said.
