Home tests confirmed for Kiwis, Kiwi Ferns

The Kiwis will play Tonga in Auckland on June 25.

The Kiwis Ferns will also play against Tonga in the first fixture of a double header that sees a return to international league in New Zealand for the first time in almost three years.

The tests will be played during the State of Origin stand-alone weekend, with Queensland playing New South Wales in Perth the following day.

Having the Kiwis and Kiwi Ferns play at Mt Smart Stadium is controversial as it will happen one week before the Warriors’ emotional NRL homecoming game against Wests Tigers on July 3 at the same venue.

The Warriors haven’t played in New Zealand since 2019 and the club is promising it will be a huge occasion when the team takes to the field at Mt Smart Stadium again.

However, some gloss could be taken off that homecoming by the Kiwis and Kiwi Ferns getting in first at Mt Smart Stadium, rather than at a different venue.

For the Kiwis and Kiwi Ferns, the tests will be important with the World Cup in England later this year so respective coaches, Michael Maguire and Ricky Henry, will get a chance to work with a bunch of players who haven’t been together in a long time.