Wellington - The All Blacks will prepare for the British and
Irish Lions by playing Samoa as part of a Test double-header in Auckland that
also features Tonga against Wales, New Zealand Rugby said on Tuesday.
All Blacks coach Steve Hansen said the match against the
hard-tackling Samoans would give the All Blacks a hit-out before the first Test
against the Lions on June 24 at Eden Park.
The Tonga-Wales match on June 16 had already been moved to
the Auckland venue after facilities in Nuku'alofa were deemed substandard, so
the NZR said it made sense to stage the All Blacks-Samoa match there as well.
Hansen said the Friday night double-header would be an
attractive proposition for fans.
"It's going to be a wonderful evening where you've got
Pacific rugby on show and Welsh rugby and New Zealand rugby," he said.
"It allows us to fill a need for ourselves as we need a
game to prepare for the Lions and also give something back to Pacific
rugby."
Auckland has a large Pacific islander population and Tongan
supporters in particular turned out in force during the 2011 World Cup,
creating a festive atmosphere.
New Zealand will also be awash with tens of thousands of
travelling Lions fans, many of whom will be keen to add another rugby fixture
to their schedule.
The Tonga-Wales Test will be staged first, followed by New
Zealand-Samoa later in the evening.
The All Blacks have not lost at Eden Park since a 23-20 defeat to France in 1994.