KEY POINTS:
Hamilton moves into the rugby big time next year when it hosts the Springboks in a test for the first time.
Waikato rugby bosses expect interest in the province to explode leading up to the test at Waikato Stadium on September 12, also the first time Hamilton has
hosted a Tri-Nations test.
The New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) today unveiled its 2009 domestic test schedule which will see the All Blacks play six tests in five different venues, including the first visit by France to Dunedin.
Auckland and Christchurch will host just one test each because of construction work at Eden Park and AMI Stadium respectively to prepare those grounds for the 2011 World Cup.
Wellington benefit with two tests, against France and Australia.
Waikato Rugby Union chief executive Graham Bowen was delighted with the outcome after Hamilton missed out on hosting a test this year.
"We've been hanging out for one of these big tests and the day's finally come, so we're ecstatic," Bowen said.
"We've probably been looked at more favourably this time because of the lower capacity in Auckland and Christchurch.
"It certainly gives us the opportunity to show we're a serious host of top international teams and I think we'll have people hanging from the rafters trying to get a ticket."
Temporary seating will lift capacity by 5000 to 30,000, as happened when New Zealand Maori played the British and Irish Lions in 2005.
Waikato Stadium's five tests, all since 2002, have been against lesser drawcards - Italy, Wales, Argentina, Ireland and Canada.
Bowen said today's announcement alleviated some of the pain caused by missing out when the 2011 World Cup playoff venues were finalised last week.
He was still hopeful of receiving some "good quality" pool matches when they are allocated.
Otago counterpart Richard Reid was just as happy that Carisbrook had earned the opening test of the year on June 13, the first match against France since the All Blacks' World Cup quarterfinal defeat last year.
Reid said it was reward for Dunedin's successful hosting of South Africa in July after two seasons without a test.
"The people of the south showed this year in no uncertain terms how much they want test rugby in this area," Reid said.
NZRU chief executive Steve Tew said Dunedin's allocation recognised the efforts being made by authorities in the city to develop a new stadium.
Christchurch's sole test is against lesser lights Italy on June 27.
Auckland will host the first home Tri-Nations test on July 18 against Australia, followed nearly a month later by the Hamilton test against South Africa.
The All Blacks' final home test is against Australia on September 19.
The full Tri-Nations draw is yet to be confirmed.
ALL BLACKS 2009 DOMESTIC RUGBY SCHEDULE
June 13: v France, Carisbrook, Dunedin
June 20: v France, Westpac Stadium, Wellington
June 27: v Italy, AMI Stadium, Christchurch
July 18: v Australia, Eden Park, Auckland
Sept 12: v South Africa, Waikato Stadium, Hamilton
Sept 19: v Australia, Westpac Stadium, Wellington
- NZPA