The All Blacks will play an additional two games during their end-of-the-year tour to the northern hemisphere this year, the New Zealand Rugby Union announced today.
The additional fixtures, which are still to be finalised, are outside the International Rugby Board (IRB) schedule and arranged by the NZRU and the hosts.Both nations concerned will share the profit from the matches.
NZRU chief executive Chris Moller said one of the additional games will be a test, while he wasn't sure whether the other game would carry the same status.
The NZRU has been pushing for revenue-sharing tests in the northern hemisphere, given the popularity of the All Blacks.
The All Blacks will tour Wales and France this year as part of the IRB tour schedule under which the host nations keep the profit from the games.
The All Blacks are now likely to play the Pacific Island team at the North Harbour stadium on July 10, Moller said.
He confirmed an All Black trial will be staged this year.
