The All Blacks will open their 2003 rugby union season against England in Wellington and start their Tri Nations series away from home, New Zealand rugby officials announced on Wednesday.
New Zealand will play Tri Nations tests in Pretoria, Sydney, Dunedin and Auckland.
The southern hemisphere series starts on July 12 when South Africa plays Australia in Cape Town before the All Blacks begin play a week later, taking on South Africa in Pretoria on July 19.
The All Blacks will prepare for the Tri Nations with a test each against England, France and Wales in June of next year. The World Cup will be held in Australia beginning next October.
New Zealand plays England in Wellington on June 14, Wales in Hamilton on June 21 and France in Christchurch the following weekend, although the exact date of the Christchurch match is yet to be decided.
France and New Zealand are still discussing the timing of the match as the French team will be traveling to Christchurch from South America.
New Zealand’s 2003 schedule, excluding the World Cup:
June 14 – New Zealand vs. England, Wellington.
June 21 – New Zealand vs. Wales, Hamilton.
June 28 or 29: New Zealand vs. France, Christchurch.
Tri Nations: July 12 – South Africa vs. Australia, Cape Town.
July 19 – South Africa vs. New Zealand, Pretoria.
July 26 – Australia vs. New Zealand (Bledisloe Cup), Sydney.
August 2 – Australia vs. South Africa, Perth.
August 9 – New Zealand vs. South Africa, Dunedin.
August 16 – New Zealand vs. Australia (Bledisloe Cup), Auckland. – Sapa-AP