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The Haka is set to face the Siva Tau in July 2015. BIlly Stickland/INPHO

All Blacks to finally play Test match in Samoa - report

The world champions look to have answered the calls to travel to Apia for the first time.

NEW ZEALAND ARE set to play a Test match in Samoa next year as part of their Rugby World Cup preparations, according to reports in the Southern Hemisphere.

The world champions have been criticised repeatedly in recent seasons for their failure to travel to the Pacific Islands for a Test match, despite the cultural and sports-related ties between the nations.

However, the New Zealand Herald says Steve Hansen’s side will head to Apia for a Test match in 2015 after an agreement was reached by the two countries’ unions. The clash will most likely take place in July.

The Kiwis have faced Samoa six times in Test matches, but never on Samoan soil, meaning this fixture has been highly anticipated. The pre-match Haka vs. Siva Tau war dances will add real edge to the occasion.

New Zealand’s announcement of a Test against the US Eagles in Chicago later this year sparked the latest bout of questioning in regards to the apparent refusal to play in the Pacific Islands.

Those queries appear to have been answered finally, with Samoan Prime Minister, and president of the nation’s rugby union, Tuilaepa Lupesoliai Sailele Malielegaoi reported to have told the Herald that the Kiwis “have agreed to play on our soil and we are negotiating a good time to suit the players.”

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9 Comments
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    Mute ormond lad
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    Jul 4th 2014, 9:38 PM

    Fantastic and about time. Should have been done years ago. Hope in time New Zealand go to all the islands to play a game

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    Mute Peter McGlynn
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    Jul 4th 2014, 9:47 PM

    Did I miss it? What were the reasons for their reluctance to go there? Political or practical?

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    Mute frankie burke
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    Jul 4th 2014, 11:02 PM

    Probably the fact that they don’t want the Samoans finding out all their players are Samoan!!!

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    Mute Conor Cahill
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    Jul 4th 2014, 11:26 PM

    Yes. Let’s look at Brodie Retallick’s ancestry, shall we?

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    Mute Peter McGlynn
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    Jul 5th 2014, 12:30 AM

    Ha Frankie – that’s what I was thinking.

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    Mute Colm Harpur
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    Jul 5th 2014, 1:13 AM

    A lot of talk around the fact it wouldn’t be financially attractive to the All Blacks.. Dunno how true that is though..

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    Mute #COYBIB
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    Jul 5th 2014, 3:51 AM

    Unions pay massive money to secure fixtures against the All Blacks when they’re on the road. Having them play in Dublin cots muli-millions to secure that test match. The pacific islands don’t have that kind of money and any time spent on tour to the pacific islands is losing millions in appearance fees elsewhere for the ABs. It’s all economics, but glad to see responsibility and the good nature of the game finally prevailing.

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    Mute Colm Harpur
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    Jul 5th 2014, 8:24 AM

    It’s a shame if money was to start dictating fixtures like that…

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    Mute Colm Connolly
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    Jul 5th 2014, 1:37 AM

    Ya aig want them to play in mass markets , the us eagles is in Chicago and guess where aig is based , yup

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