The New Zealand Maori team will play two matches in Japan, and in Singapore for the first time later this year, New Zealand Rugby confirmed today.
The Colin Cooper-coached side will take on Japan on Saturday, November 1 at Noevir Stadium, Kobe and again a week later at Prince Chichibu Memorial Rugby Ground, Tokyo.
The team will then travel to Singapore to play the Asia Pacific Dragons, an invitational side drawn from top Asian and Polynesian players at Singapore's new National Stadium on Saturday, November 15.
The Dragons will be coached by former All Blacks captain and Counties Manukau coach Tana Umaga.
Colin Cooper was excited to again take the team offshore.
"Japan has recently qualified for their eighth straight Rugby World Cup and beat Italy to record their 10th straight win so they will provide top opposition as the team builds for next year's tournament so we are really looking forward to the challenge," Cooper said.
New Zealand Maori Asian Tour
November 1 v Japan, Noevir Stadium, Kobe
November 8 v Japan, Prince Chichibu Memorial Rugby Ground, Tokyo
November 15 v Asia Pacific Dragons, National Stadium, Singapore