All Blacks to face off against Pacific composite side as Rugby Championship warm-up

Rugby

All Blacks to face off against Pacific composite side as Rugby Championship warm-up

By Semi Turaga

25/07/2020

[Image: Stuff.co.nz]

The All Blacks are being lined up to open their international season against a Pacific XV at Auckland's Mt Smart Stadium in October.

TVNZ News reports former Blues coach turned assistant Tana Umaga is being lined up to coach the side, serving as a pre-Rugby Championship hit out for the All Blacks.

Umaga would be assisted by Blues forwards coach Ben Afeaki, and Highlanders coach Aaron Mauger, both of whom have worked with Manu Samoa.

The likes of Akira Ioane of the Blues, DuPlessis Kirfi of the Hurricanes, and Tonga's Nasi Manu will be involved.

According to TVNZ News, ex-All Blacks Ma'a Nonu and Julian Savea are also understood to be in line to turn out for the composite XV.

The match wouldn't be the first of its kind, with the All Blacks having faced off against a Pacific Island XV back in 2004, coming away as 41-26 victors at North Harbour stadium.

[Source: TVNZ]

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