England is first stop in Kiwis' grand slam bid
Source: Agencies |
April 2, 2010, Friday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
NEW Zealand will attempt its fourth "grand slam" of rugby victories over Britain's four home unions after confirming an end-of-year test against England at Twickenham.
The All Blacks will play England in London on November 6, changing the original date for the match from December 4, and will now play England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales on successive weekends in November.
New Zealand has attempted the grand slam on nine occasions and achieved it three times, in 1978, 2005 and 2008.
The All Blacks will now play England at the start of its northern hemisphere tour before playing Scotland at Edinburgh on November 13, Ireland at Dublin on November 20 and Wales at Cardiff on November 27.
The England test originally would have followed the Wales match, but New Zealand sought a date change which was agreed to yesterday by England's Rugby Football Union.
"We indicated to the RFU that, if possible, we would have preferred to play the match earlier in November to allow our players the chance to get home earlier. The RFU agreed to the change, so that's great news," New Zealand Rugby Union chief executive Steve Tew said.
Tew said the date change would also allow Australia and New Zealand to explore the possibility of playing a Bledisloe Cup test in Asia on October 30, while both teams were en route to Britain.
Meanwhile, former British and Irish Lions center Ollie Smith is joining Harlequins in an effort to boost his chances to play in the 2011 World Cup in New Zealand.
The former Leicester and Montpellier center was one of three signings announced by the London-based club this week, along with fellow Englishman Joe Gray and Argentine Benjamin Urdapilleta.
"I will be joining Quins a year before the World Cup, and I am not afraid to say that one of the reasons I have returned to England is so I can push for a position in next year's World Cup squad," Smith said.
The All Blacks will play England in London on November 6, changing the original date for the match from December 4, and will now play England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales on successive weekends in November.
New Zealand has attempted the grand slam on nine occasions and achieved it three times, in 1978, 2005 and 2008.
The All Blacks will now play England at the start of its northern hemisphere tour before playing Scotland at Edinburgh on November 13, Ireland at Dublin on November 20 and Wales at Cardiff on November 27.
The England test originally would have followed the Wales match, but New Zealand sought a date change which was agreed to yesterday by England's Rugby Football Union.
"We indicated to the RFU that, if possible, we would have preferred to play the match earlier in November to allow our players the chance to get home earlier. The RFU agreed to the change, so that's great news," New Zealand Rugby Union chief executive Steve Tew said.
Tew said the date change would also allow Australia and New Zealand to explore the possibility of playing a Bledisloe Cup test in Asia on October 30, while both teams were en route to Britain.
Meanwhile, former British and Irish Lions center Ollie Smith is joining Harlequins in an effort to boost his chances to play in the 2011 World Cup in New Zealand.
The former Leicester and Montpellier center was one of three signings announced by the London-based club this week, along with fellow Englishman Joe Gray and Argentine Benjamin Urdapilleta.
"I will be joining Quins a year before the World Cup, and I am not afraid to say that one of the reasons I have returned to England is so I can push for a position in next year's World Cup squad," Smith said.
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