A dab down the blindside - the launch of blind rugby tests

The world's first blind rugby test is set to be hosted in New Zealand next month.

The occasion will not have to be seen to be believed.

New Zealand hosts the world's first blind rugby test on July 6 at North Harbour's QBE Stadium.

The Blind Lions will meet their New Zealand counterparts in an adapted seven-a-side format designed to make the sport accessible to the blind and low vision community. The sides will play a three-match series.

Britain's The Change Foundation and Blind Sport New Zealand will launch the code on what a statement described as "the biggest stage of all" and "the spiritual home of rugby".

The Blind Lions are being brought to New Zealand courtesy of SportsLink International.

"We have a rich history of developing blind sport," The Change Foundation chief executive Andy Sellins said.

"We have had a significant role in the formation of blind cricket in England and internationally. This led to participation in World Cups, the blind Ashes series and multiple tours. We hope to replicate this success with blind rugby".

The Change Foundation has designed a touch rugby game inclusive of scrums, lineouts and conversions by adapting rules, understanding different sight classifications, training confident referees​ and using equipment that supports the group.

It will bring new meaning to "a dab down the blindside".

Former England and Scotland coach Andy Robinson provided support during the early phases of the code's development.

"Every New Zealander has the right to participate in sport," said Dan Shepherd, the national manager for Blind Sport New Zealand.

"Blind rugby makes New Zealand's national sport available to our community."

In keeping with theme, the launch is on July 5 at Dans Le Noir?, a restaurant in Auckland's Rydges Hotel where diners are served in darkness to give a taste of what eating is like for blind people. The chain launched in Paris 14 years ago.