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Fiji are planning to play a neutral-venue match against New Zealand in Canada scheduled for October 2020, according Fiji Rugby Union CEO John O’Connor. The contest would take place en route between the South Pacific and Europe, where both Fiji and New Zealand will be touring in November.
New Zealand Rugby have approved the fixture though the date and venue are still to be confirmed. With the match falling outside the official November test window, it’s not clear if it will be a full test with O’Connor referring to their opponents as an ‘All Blacks XV’.
While the USA has hosted neutral-venue clashes featuring Ireland, New Zealand, and Italy in recent years, Canada has not done so outside Pacific Nations Cup fixtures. Suitable venues would include BC Place in Vancouver or BMO Field in Toronto.
If the match does go ahead it seems likely that further matches featuring the Canada Senior Men’s or Senior Women’s XVs – or both – would be added similar to ‘The Rugby Weekend’ event held at Soldier Field. Dates and opponents for Canada’s 2020 November tour have yet to be revealed.
