Negotiations for the All Blacks to play the third of three Tests against France in the United States rather than in New Zealand next July have failed after the French rugby union reportedly declined the request.
According to French newspaper L’Equipe this morning, "the All Blacks will have to review their plans.
"As revealed on our site on November 26, the New Zealand federation (NZR) wanted to relocate the third and final Test match against Les Bleus to American soil in July.
"Motivated by economic interests… and the fact that France is travelling without its best elements (Premier league players and finalists will be exempt from this tour), the NZR had announced its intentions to its French counterpart on the sidelines of the recent Test between the two teams."
However, the newspaper stated that the negotiations have now fallen through.
"The French Federation informed the New Zealand leaders that it did not wish to play the last of the three Tests in July 2025 on American soil."
The failure to arrange a match in the States will be a financial setback for NZR, an organisation that will be wary about the appeal of three domestic Tests against a weakened opposition.
In 2021, the All Blacks played back-to-back Tests against Australia at Eden Park on consecutive Saturdays but the latter, won 57-22 by the home side, was not well attended after a 33-25 victory in the first Test.
An NZR spokesman told 1News today that the official All Blacks and Black Ferns schedule will be released next week.
On the plus side for All Blacks supporters, their team will host the world champion Springboks for two Tests next year in the Rugby Championship, with the first Test likely to be held at Eden Park, where the All Blacks have not lost since 1994.
The All Blacks will play home and away Tests against Australia and two matches against the Pumas in Argentina.
They are also due to play England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales at the end of the year, with the match against the Irish to be held in Chicago, the city where the All Blacks first lost a Test to the men in green in 2016.
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