All Blacks heading to Gisborne

A Groups of All Blacks will visit Gisborne next week.

Just a day after the selectors name their 2019 Rugby World Cup squad, some All Blacks will fly into the city to meet fans.

They will also travel in groups to Whangarei, Hamilton, Tauranga, Christchurch and Queenstown as part of a drive to get out to the provinces before they leave for Japan to compete in the Rugby World Cup.

The selectors name their squad on Wednesday next week and the All Blacks will visit Gisborne and the other centres the next day.

“All Blacks to the Nation” started in 2011, when New Zealand hosted the tournament, and has run every year since then ahead of overseas tours.

All Black captain Kieran Read said the team regarded it as a highlight on their calendar.

“We really look forward to this event every year as the players get to go to different parts of the country and meet fans from all walks of life.

“We’re reminded of just how passionate our fans are and it is a great opportunity for the boys to thank them all for their support before we head into our last test match at home against Tonga and then on to Japan.”

Air New Zealand spokeswoman Jodi Williams said the airline was excited to bring fans and players together in the build-up to Japan.