All Blacks to play Fiji in U.S. as part of bumper Test calendar

The All Blacks will play 14 Tests in Scott Robertson's first season in charge, including a match against Fiji in Southern California.

Fiji's clash in San Diego on July 19 comes a week after the All Blacks completed a two-Test series against England at Auckland's Eden Park.

The World Cup finalists begin their 2024 schedule against Steve Borthwick's England in Dunedin on July 6 under the Forsyth Barr Indoor Stadium.

They then open their Rugby Championship title defense with back-to-back home tests against Argentina in Wellington on August 10 and at Eden Park a week later.

They will travel for back-to-back tests against world champions South Africa in Johannesburg (August 31) and Cape Town (September 7).

“We play on the Highveld at Ellis Park and then down to Cape Town. These are iconic Tests and I know a lot of Kiwis will be excited about it,” Robertson said in a statement.

“It’s a great opportunity to get to know ourselves against the world champions.”

After facing Australia in Sydney (September 21) and Wellington (September 28) to close the Rugby Championship, the All Blacks begin their tour of the northern hemisphere against Japan in Yokohama on October 26.

They close the season with November international matches against England at Twickenham on November 2, Ireland (November 9), France (November 16) and Italy (November 23).