France confirm NZ tour

The All Blacks and France will play two Tests next year in their first confrontation since the French produced an upset win in the Rugby World Cup quarter-finals last year.

The New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) announced on Tuesday that the All Blacks will play France and Italy in their lead-up Tests to next year's Tri-Nations series.

France last played in New Zealand in June 2007 losing to the All Blacks 42-11 in Auckland and 61-10 in Wellington, before turning the tables four months later when it mattered most with a 20-18 victory in the World Cup.

France had been at full strength for the World Cup match after earlier taking a depleted team to New Zealand because the tour clashed with their club finals.

Italy last played the All Blacks in their opening 2007 World Cup match when they were beaten 76-14.

They last played in New Zealand in 2002, losing 64-10.

The All Blacks 2009 domestic schedule:

June 13 v France at Dunedin

June 20 v France at Wellington

June 27 v Italy at Christchurch

Tri-Nations:

July 18 v Australia at Auckland

Sept 12 v South Africa at Hamilton

Sept 19 v Australia at Wellington

JM & Alexis

RESULTS:

Tri-Nations Match

Australia 24 - 28 New Zealand

do you know luke rooney?

do you know luke rooney?

Guinnes Prem results

Newcastle 32 - 22 Northampton

London Wasps 10 - 11 Worcester

Danny must have forgotten how Kelly looked like because wanted to take this chick home

boys...

luke used to play for penrith panthers, right?

my close friend went to the same sch with him... mountain men

luke used to play for penrith panthers, right?

my close friend went to the same sch with him... mountain men

Francois Trinh-Duc was by far the player of the weekend in the TOP 14, the press have just gone pretty crazy on their praises about the game he played against Montauban. He deserves it, he was great and I think his just solidified his position as France's #10!