The All Blacks will play Ireland in the first match of their 2005 Tour to the United Kingdom, as the team marks the Centenary of the 1905 Tour by the first team to be called the All Blacks.

According to the Six Nations Committee’s Autumn International schedule, the All Blacks will open their end-of-year tour with a match against Ireland on November 12 or 13, before taking on England (Nov 19/20) and then Scotland (Nov 26/27).

The All Blacks last played Ireland in 2002 in New Zealand, and last played in Ireland on their 2001 end of year tour.
 
Final details on the timing and venues for the 2005 tour will be confirmed in the coming months.

This year’s Tour, which will come on the heels of the 2005 Lions Series and the Philips Tri Nations, marks 100 years since the 1905 New Zealand team toured Europe and North America, and became the first team to be called the All Blacks.

For more information, please contact:

Brian Finn
Communications Manager
New Zealand Rugby Union
Tel: (04) 494 0765
Mobile: 027 229 5380
E-mail: mailtbrian.finn@nzrugby.co.nz