Māori All Blacks to Tour Japan in 2024
The Japan Rugby Football Union is pleased to announce that the Māori All Blacks will tour Japan in 2024. The news comes off the back on the recent announcement that the All Blacks will also visit Japan to play the Brave Blossoms in October 2024 and follows the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the JRFU and New Zealand Rugby in May this year. As part of the MOU, fixtures between the two nations are set to take place on a more regular basis, across all levels of competition.
The Japan XV will play the Māori All Blacks in two non-capped matches on Saturday, 29 June and Saturday, 6 July. Japan have faced the Māori All Blacks on three previous occasions, with the most recent encounters taking place during the visitor’s two-match tour of Japan in 2014. Prior to that, the two sides met for the first time in New Zealand, back in 2008.
Japan Rugby Football Union Chairman, Kensuke Iwabuchi said:
“Following our recent announcement that the Brave Blossoms will host the All Blacks next Autumn, and with the All Blacks XV currently in Japan, we are delighted to now announce next year’s tour by the Māori All Blacks. Playing such powerful teams consistently is a major component of our strategy to grow the competitiveness of our national teams. We extend our deep thanks to our partners at New Zealand Rugby for their commitment to support the growth of Japanese rugby.”
New Zealand Rugby CEO, Mark Robinson said:
“It is great to announce the Māori All Blacks will be playing two matches in Japan next year, they are a team of huge importance to New Zealand Rugby. We look forward to continuing to grow and strengthen rugby in the Asia-Pacific region, while also sharing our culture and history through these two matches.”
Further details on these fixtures, including match venues, kick-off times, ticketing information and broadcast schedules will be announced as soon as they are confirmed.
Japan vs Māori All Blacks Past Results:
November 8, 2014 (L) 18-20 Tokyo
November 1, 2014 (L) 21-61 Hyogo
June 28, 2008 (L) 65-22 Napier
