KEY POINTS:
Test rugby will return to Dunedin next year, with the New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) today announcing the All Blacks' domestic schedule of six tests for 2008.
The All Blacks will play South Africa at Carisbrook in Dunedin on July 12 in the second of two home Tri-Nations tests against the Springboks.
The first Springboks test is on July 5 at Wellington's Westpac Stadium.
The All Blacks' other home Tri-Nations test is against the Wallabies on August 2 at Auckland's Eden Park.
The All Blacks will begin their season against Ireland in Wellington on June 7 followed by two tests against England, at Eden Park on June 14 and AMI Stadium in Christchurch seven days later.
Ireland last played in New Zealand in 2006 and England toured here in 2004.
Tew said the confirmation of a test in Dunedin for the first time since 2005 was great news for rugby fans in the south.
"The Springboks test is a one-off allocation for 2008 in recognition of the work the Otago Rugby Football Union, the Carisbrook Stadium Trust and others have done in progressing the new stadium project.
"This is exciting for the people of Otago and the deep south and will give them the chance to once again support the All Blacks live at Carisbrook."
Tew said a number of other factors were considered in deciding which cities would host test matches.
"We also looked at the timing of the upgrade of Eden Park and Christchurch's AMI Stadium, the desire to spread games around the country and the financial return to New Zealand rugby."
Tew said the major construction work at Eden Park in preparation for the 2011 World Cup was not due to start until after the 2008 test season so the NZRU was keen to have two tests there next year in front of what they hoped would be 46,000-strong capacity crowds.
He said while there was no test scheduled for Hamilton, the NZRU wanted to host an additional All Blacks match there next year.
"We are in serious discussions right now about getting an extra match played in Hamilton on an All Blacks bye weekend during the Tri-Nations.
" The All Blacks management want a game at that time and we are talking to the International Rugby Board (IRB), the Waikato Rugby Union and other parties."
The full Tri-Nations schedule will be announced by Sanzar at a later date.
All Blacks' 2008 domestic test schedule (all matches start at 7.35pm):-
Saturday, June 7: v Ireland at Westpac Stadium, Wellington
Saturday, June 14: v England, Eden Park, Auckland
Saturday June 21: v England, AMI Stadium, Christchurch
Saturday, July 5: v Springboks (Tri-Nations), Westpac Stadium, Wellington
Saturay July 12: v Springboks (Tri-Nations), Carisbrook, Dunedin
Saturday, August 2: v Wallabies (Tri-Nations), Eden Park, Auckland
- NZPA
