All Blacks confirm historic Test schedule as the Scott Robertson era begins
All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson looks on.
The All Blacks confirmed a historic clash with Fiji in San Diego as part of their 2024 Test Schedule that signals the start of a new era for the team with Scott Robertson at the helm.
The new head coach will navigate 14 Tests in his first season on the international scene beginning with two games against England in the middle of the year to be played in Dunedin and Auckland before heading to the United States to face Fiji.
Robertson’s first Rugby Championship game will be against Argentina in Wellington in early August with the All Blacks facing Los Pumas at Eden Park a week later as part of the South American side’s ‘mini-tour’.
The All Blacks then go on a ‘mini-tour’ of their own to the old foe, the Springboks, who they face in back-to-back Tests before returning to Australasia for the Bledisloe Cup.
To close out the year, the New Zealanders head north to face Japan, England, Ireland, France and Italy in the Autumn Nations Series.
Ready to start
Robertson is raring to go with the All Blacks and believes beginning his tenure against England is a perfect start.
“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.”
As any All Blacks boss would, Robertson is particularly excited to face up to the Springboks later this year.
“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. It’s a chance to support us locally but also internationally. It’s also a chance to get behind this team and experience it with us, which is the exciting thing about it. And be proud to wear your All Blacks jersey no matter where we go.”
Game with Fiji will be special
CEO of New Zealand Rugby, Mark Robinson, echoed his coach’s sentiment and underlined the importance of the fixture against Fiji.
“There is no better way to start the year on home soil. To have four of the first five Tests of 2024 at home in Aotearoa, Dunedin, Wellington, and Auckland is a great result, and we’re excited to be taking the All Blacks to San Diego to play Fiji,” he said.
“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.
“The All Blacks and Fiji share a deep connection to the game of rugby and to the Pacific region, and we’d like to thank USA Rugby and our event partner, TEG Rugby Live, for embracing the opportunity to bring this Test to America.
“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. It promises to be a unique and entertaining afternoon of rugby and Pacific culture, and a great advertisement for the game.”
The All Blacks 2024 Test schedule
New Zealand v England
Date: Saturday, 6 July
Venue: Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin
New Zealand v England
Date: Saturday, 13 July
Venue: Eden Park, Auckland
New Zealand v Fiji
Date: Saturday, 20 July
Venue: SnapDragon Stadium, San Diego
New Zealand v Argentina
Date: Saturday, 10 August
Venue: Sky Stadium, Wellington
New Zealand v Argentina
Date: Saturday, 17 August
Venue: Eden Park, New Zealand
South Africa v New Zealand
Date: Saturday, 31 August
Venue: Ellis Park, Johannesburg
South Africa v New Zealand
Date: Saturday, 7 September
Venue: DHL Stadium, Cape Town
Australia v New Zealand
Date: Saturday, 21 September
Venue: Accor Stadium, Sydney
New Zealand v Australia
Date: Saturday, 28 September
Venue: Sky Stadium, Wellington
Japan v New Zealand
Date: Saturday, 26 October
Venue: Nissan Stadium, Yokohama
England v New Zealand
Date: Saturday, 2 November
Venue: Twickenham Stadium, London
Ireland v New Zealand
Date: Saturday, 9 November
Venue: TBC
France v New Zealand
Date: Saturday, 16 November
Venue: TBC
Italy v New Zealand
Date: Saturday, 23 November
Venue: TBC
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