UPDATED: 8:22am – The Maori All Blacks will play Canada in Vancouver in November. The match in Vancouver will be the first of a two-match end of year programme for the Maori All Blacks. The second fixture, to be played in Europe, has yet to be announced in due course.
The Maori will need a new coach after Colin Cooper stood down after the game against the British and Irish Lions. Canada will be securing its top professionals for the match in order to field the strongest team possible.
Having recently lost to the USA in a home-and-home series for the North America 1 seed at the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan, Canada will use the 3 November fixture to prepare for its World Cup qualification campaign.
New Zealand Rugby’s Maori Rugby Board Chair Dr Farah Palmer said it would be the Maori team’s first visit to Vancouver.
“Having played in Toronto in 2013 and Calgary in 2003, we are excited to be returning to Canada with the Maori All Blacks.”
“This match is a great addition to the Maori All Blacks programme in 2017 – providing a wonderful opportunity to bring our special style of rugby, and Maori culture, to this amazing part of the world.
-RNZ
