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New Zealand to play Fiji, Tonga in July internationals

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — New Zealand Rugby has confirmed the All Blacks will play Fiji twice and Tonga once in July internationals.

The All Blacks were due to play two tests against Italy and one against Fiji, but Italy withdrew because of concerns about traveling during the coronavirus pandemic.

The test against Tonga will be played at Auckland’s Mount Smart Stadium on July 3 and will be preceded by a match between New Zealand Maori and Samoa.

The All Blacks then will play Fiji in Dunedin on July 10 and at Hamilton on July 17. Samoa and Tonga will meet at Hamilton on the same day in a Rugby World Cup qualifier.

New Zealand hasn’t played a test against Fiji since 2011 and hasn’t previously played back-to-back tests against the Pacific Island nation.

The All Blacks’ last test against Tonga was in 2019, when they won 92-7 in a warm-up to the World Cup in Japan.

New Zealand Rugby said a schedule for this season’s Rugby Championship and Bledisloe Cup tests will be announced soon.

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