Rugby: All Blacks to play quake relief test

Richie McCaw was named sportsman of the year. Photo / Getty Images

The All Blacks will play an extra rugby match ahead of the Tri-Nations this year, a fixture which will also be used to raise funds for rebuilding activities in Christchurch after the February 22 earthquake which caused widespread destruction and an expected death toll of about 180 people.

New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) chief executive Steve Tew today announced the tentative date for the match was July 22, eight days before the All Blacks play their first Tri-Nations match against South Africa here at Wellington.

"We are yet to confirm the opposition and venue for the match but we are talking to a number of parties and we hope to have all details confirmed by the end of the month," Tew said.

The match will preferably but not necessarily be a test match, while details on the fundraising activity are yet to be confirmed.

All Blacks coach Graham Henry said the extra match had been part of their planning before the earthquake struck, given there is a six-week break between the end of the Super 15 regular season and their first Tri-Nations match.

"We came back from the overseas tour and had a couple of meetings at the beginning of the year and thought there was too big a gap between the end of the Super 15 and the start of the Tri-Nations, so we were looking at that opportunity," he said today.

"Some players will have a longer break than others, depending on when they finish their Super rugby campaign, so it's an opportunity for us to get together and do some work.

"The players have been very keen to help out the people of Christchurch, so it was great to marry those two things together.

Henry said the match would be played in New Zealand.

- NZPA