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TOKYO - Japan will play two matches against a New Zealand side including the likes of Jonah Lomu and Carlos Spencer in May, Japanese officials said.
A "Classic All Blacks" side captained by Andrew Mehrtens will play Japan on May 9 in Kobe and three days later in Tokyo. Japan will use the matches to prepare for this year's Pacific Six Nations tournament and the 2007 World Cup.
"We need games like this to give us confidence," said Japan coach John Kirwan, a former All Blacks great. "It's very important that we compete.
"It's the same format as in the World Cup with a game on the Wednesday followed by another on the Saturday, so the players can get used to a quick turnaround," he added.
The New Zealand team will also include Justin Marshall and Jeff Wilson.
Kirwan added that the two games would be significant for Japan's hopes of hosting the 2015 World Cup.
"We have to demonstrate to the world that we are serious about being a world player," he said. "I want to see full stadiums and everyone dressed in red."
Kirwan insisted the New Zealanders would be taking the matches against Japan seriously.
"Putting the jersey on and doing the haka will be important to them," he said. "They are going to go out and play like All Blacks. They won't want to lose but neither do we."
Classic All Blacks squad: Dave Hewett, Joe McDonnell, Gordon Slater, Matt Sexton; Royce Willis, Simon Maling, Charles Riechelmann; Scott Robertson, Sam Harding, Ron Cribb; Justin Marshall, Mark Robinson; Carlos Spencer, Andrew Mehrtens, Tony Brown; Scott McLeod, Mark Ranby; Jonah Lomu, Eric Rush, Bruce Reihana, Jeff Wilson.
- REUTERS
