All Blacks Sevens team to play Aussie in Rotorua

Then All Blacks sevens team will play in Rotorua in September

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

The Australian Rugby Union announced today key dates for their national sevens team, and where they will be playing over the coming months.

In September, the Aussies will travel to Rotorua to take on the All Blacks Sevens squad in an unofficial six-game series to be played over three days between September 12-14.

The Aussie squad will be preparing 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 ranking in the Sevens World Series.

The 2015/16 HSBC Sevens World Series kicks off a month later with back-to-back tournaments in Dubai (4-5 December) and Cape Town (12-13 December).

Qantas Australian Men's Sevens head coach Geraint John said: "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 the 14 November."

It is understood one of the matches between NZ and Australia in Rotorua will be held as a curtain-raiser to the Bay of Plenty Steamers versus Taranaki match, at the Rotorua International Stadium on Saturday, September 12.