Black Ferns tackle Six Nations champs France
The Original Roof Rack Specialists
The Black Ferns have announced a two-test tour of France at the end of the year.
The Black Ferns will take on the reigning Women’s Six Nations champions in Toulon and Grenoble in November, bringing the total number of tests they will play in 2018 to five.
Their international season kicks off with a two-test series against Australia next month before the northern tour, which includes a match against USA at Chicago’s iconic Soldier Field.
‘‘Women’s rugby is on a high in France following their Six Nations victory earlier this year when they played in front of large home crowds,’’ New Zealand Rugby chief rugby officer Nigel Cass said.
‘‘We’re expecting locals will turn out in force to cheer on these two teams. It will be a tantalising couple of test matches for rugby fans.’’
The Black Ferns play Australia for the Laurie O’Reilly Memorial Trophy in two double header test matches in August, with the All Blacks playing the Wallabies for the Bledisloe Cup in Sydney and then Auckland.
NZR also confirmed on Wednesday that the national women’s team will warm up for that series with a ‘Game of Three Halves’ against Bay of Plenty and Auckland on August 11 at Tauranga Domain. The match will see the Black Ferns play Bay of Plenty for 40 minutes followed by 40 minutes against Auckland. ‘‘The game of three halves gives New Zealand fans and provincial players a unique experience,’’ Cass said.
‘‘This is a great opportunity for two Farah Palmer Cup teams to have a hit out against the best players in the country.’’Meanwhile, John Haggart has returned from his role as defence coach at French side Stade Francais to take up a position as assistant coach for the Black Ferns.
Haggart was formerly international high performance manager for the Crusaders and Canterbury rugby, and has also been assistant coach of Canterbury.
● NZR’s Farah Palmer Cup expands to 12 teams this season with the inclusion of Taranaki.
The teams will play 42 matches over eight weeks when the competition kicks off in September.
The 12 FPC teams will be split across two divisions; premiership and championship with 16 matches being broadcast live. Canterbury is the reigning champion and opens its campaign against Bay of Plenty on September 1.