All Blacks to play Counties-Manukau and Northland in August

Julian Savea of the All Blacks looks to off load during a training match against Counties Manukau at ECO Light Stadium in 2012. Photo / Getty

The All Blacks will play Counties-Manukau and Northland in August to prepare for the Rugby Championship.

New Zealand Rugby's confirmed the national squad will play two 40-minute training matches against each provincial side on Friday, August 12 in Pukekohe.

It'll be the second time Counties has hosted the All Blacks for the popular event, with previous events in North Harbour and Wellington attracting thousands of fans.

The All Blacks will face Australia in the Rugby Championship opener in Sydney eight days later, while the training matches fall a week before the newly named Mitre 10 Cup starts.