All Blacks tests against France and Canada confirmed

Auckland and Wellington will each host an All Blacks rugby test against France next year with the one-off test against Canada held in Hamilton.

The New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) said today the three matches will be played before the Tri-Nations kicks off.

The All Blacks' international season starts on June 2 with the first test against France on Eden Park, with the second a week later at Wellington's Westpac Stadium.

The Canada test will be at Waikato Stadium on June 16.

With the World Cup in mind, the three tests, along with the Tri-Nations, would be key steps in the All Blacks preparations,

NZRU deputy chief executive Steve Tew said.

The NZRU has also confirmed Dunedin will be in contention to again host test matches from 2008, providing satisfactory progress is made toward either a new stadium or redevelopment of Carisbrook. NZRU chief executive Chris Moller said Carisbrook would have been considered to host the Canada test match but the tight turnaround time for the All Blacks' travel to South Africa made it unworkable.

Carisbrook Stadium Trust, chaired by Dunedin businessman Malcolm Farry, announced plans earlier this year for a new stadium to be completed by the time of the 2011 World Cup.

New Zealand's 2007 test schedule:

International series: v France June 2, Auckland, v France June 9, Wellington, v Canada June 16, Hamilton.

Tri Nations: v South Africa June 23, venue to be confirmed, v Australia June 30, Melbourne, v South Africa July 14, Christchurch, v Australia July 21, Auckland.

World Cup: v Italy Sept 8, Marseille, v Repechage 1 Sept 15, Lyon, v Scotland Sept 23, Edinburgh, v Romania Sept 29, Toulouse.

- NZPA