The development follows the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the JRFU and New Zealand Rugby in May of this year, and it follows the confirmation that the All Blacks will also tour Japan to face the Brave Blossoms in October 2024. Under the terms of the MOU, matches between the two countries will happen more often at all competitive levels.
On June 29 and July 6, there will be two non-capped matches between the Japan XV and the Māori All Blacks. There have been three prior meetings between Japan and the Māori All Blacks with the most recent one being during the visitors’ two-match trip to Japan in 2014. The two parties had previously met in 2008 for the first time in New Zealand.
We are excited to announce the Māori All Blacks’ visit for the next season, which will take place in the autumn, with the recent revelation that the Brave Blossoms will welcome the All Blacks XV, who are presently in Japan. One of the main elements of our plan to increase the competitiveness of our national teams is to regularly play such strong opponents. We sincerely appreciate New Zealand Rugby, our partners, for their dedication to fostering the development of Japanese rugby.
The news that the Māori All Blacks, a side of tremendous significance to New Zealand rugby, will be playing two matches in Japan next year is greatly anticipated. Through these two matches, we hope to share our culture and history with the Asia-Pacific rugby community and to further expand and improve the sport there.
As soon as these matches are confirmed, more information will be released, including match locations, kickoff times, ticketing details, and broadcast schedules.
Japan XV v Maori All Blacks Rugby at Prince Chichibu Stadium
The two games, which are scheduled for Saturdays, June 29 and July 6, of next year, will be the Māori All Blacks’ only visits to Japan. The previous visit was a close 20-18 victory against Japan in Tokyo in 2014.
The signing of a Memorandum of Understanding in May of this year by the JRFU and New Zealand Rugby (NZR) and the recent revelation that the All Blacks would also tour Japan in October 2024 to face the Brave Blossoms preceded the release of the dates. News for The Daily Rugby
The confirmation of these two international matches is fantastic news, and it will be an amazing opportunity for the Māori All Blacks to return to Japan and celebrate our different cultures and customs together the following year. The exciting schedule of two major international matches for Māori rugby comes after the exhilarating home series against Ireland in 2022.
The Māori All Blacks will play their debut matches in Japan after splitting a two-match series against Ireland in Wellington and Hamilton the previous year.
