All Blacks to play Japan in Tokyo
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}New Zealand perform the Haka before their clash with France on June 22, 2013. The All Blacks will play Japan in Tokyo in November ahead of their European tour. (AFP/File)
The world-champion All Blacks will play Japan in Tokyo in November ahead of their European tour.
The New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) said the match would take place at the Prince Chichibu Memorial Rugby Stadium on November 2.
"The match fits in perfectly with our strategy for 2013 to not only grow our game but also to grow our leadership and depth within the All Blacks squad," New Zealand coach Steve Hansen said.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The match, in the run-up to New Zealand's European tour in November featuring matches against France, England and Ireland, will be the All Blacks first Test against the Brave Blossoms on Japanese soil.
The teams have previously met twice, at the 1995 and 2011 World Cups, with Japan losing both encounters, including a 145-17 drubbing in the 1995 tournament.
A New Zealand XV trounced Japan at home twice in 1987, but neither game was given Test match status.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The All Blacks last visited Japan in 2009 for a Bledisloe Cup match against Australia, which they won 32-19.