Ireland to play Māori All Blacks on summer tour

Ireland have confirmed two mid-week fixtures against the Māori All Blacks on this year's summer tour in addition to the three Test series against New Zealand.

The first match against the Māori All Blacks kicks off the summer tour in Hamilton on Wednesday 29 June (8.05am Irish time) while the second game in the series against the Māori All Blacks takes place following the second Test in Dunedin and will be held in Wellington on Tuesday 12 July (8.05am Irish time).

Ireland have played the Māori All Blacks on two previous occasions; in 1888 the New Zealand Natives beat Ireland 13-4 at Lansdowne Road while the Māori All Blacks secured victory in 2010 at the Rotorua International Stadium winning 31-28.

"The Māori All Blacks will provide a stern test of our squad strength and depth," said head coach Andy Farrell.

"They are effectively a Test match side that have a proud tradition and impressive record of results.

"This tour is a huge opportunity for the group to develop and test itself against the best in their own backyard.

"Playing five games against such quality opposition will be of huge benefit to the group as we tour for the first time since 2018."

Māori All Blacks Head Coach Clayton McMillan said: "We look forward to welcoming Ireland, their players, management, and fans to Aotearoa, sharing our respective cultures, and celebrating our rich histories through rugby.

"Our rivalry goes back more than 100 years and that will only add to the occasion. To play the world's fourth ranked team in a two-match series is an exciting prospect and we expect both games to be huge challenges."

Ireland Summer Tour to New Zealand (Irish times)

Māori All Blacks v Ireland, Wednesday 29 June, 8.05am, FMG Stadium

New Zealand v Ireland, Saturday 2 July,