Rugby: Rotorua will host Sevens vs Australia

Gordon Tietjens will coach the All Blacks Sevens team in a pre-season series against Australia in Rotorua. Photo / File

The All Blacks Sevens team will play an unofficial, six-game series against Australia in Rotorua from September 12-14.

The first match of the series will double as a curtain-raiser to the ITM Cup match between the Bay of Plenty Steamers and defending Premiership champions Taranaki on Saturday, September 12, at the Rotorua International Stadium.

"The announcement comes on the back of recent news that Rotorua has been awarded the Maori All Blacks versus Lions match in 2017, and we're also hosting the National Sevens early next year," councillor Charles Sturt of the Rotorua Lakes Council said.

"It shows Rotorua is a place that can host top international teams for sport events.

"Having [All Blacks Sevens coach] Gordon Tietjens, a school mate from Rotorua Boys' High School, bringing the New Zealand team here is great."

Bay of Plenty Rugby chief executive Mike Rogers said the double-header would make for a cracking afternoon.

"I think it's another great opportunity for the Rotorua community and Bay of Plenty community to access a high level of rugby," he said.

"I don't doubt the Rotorua community will come out in force to support both the Steamers and All Blacks Sevens."

The Australian men's sevens squad will prepare for the crucial Oceania Olympic Qualification tournament taking place in Auckland on the weekend of November 14-15.

New Zealand have already qualified for the Rio Olympics thanks to their placing in the HSBC Sevens World Series last season.

The 2015/16 Sevens World Series then kicks off in December for both nations.

Rogers said the Aussie squad had decided on the Bay of Plenty to host a series against the All Blacks Sevens team.

"From my understanding, Australia were looking at what they were going to do for their pre-season and felt like the Bay was a good location [for a camp]."

All Blacks Sevens coach Gordon Tietjens did not want to comment about the pre-season series.

Qantas Australian Men's Sevens head coach Geraint John said they had planned a solid pre-season.

"After a break since the London Sevens, we're all looking forward to getting stuck into our pre-season.

"To play New Zealand over multiple days will also help us before we play at the Central Coast Sevens ... I believe we've left no stone unturned to ensure we are ready to hit the ground running come November 14."

Rotorua hosts the Bayleys National Sevens tournament each summer at the Rotorua International Stadium.