Ireland will herald the return of three-Test tours to New Zealand when they visit in June 2012 as part of the new International Rugby Board directive to introduce longer season-ending tours in the southern hemisphere. Ireland have already commited to tour South Africa as part of another three-test series in 2016.
New Zealand will host Ireland, France and England in consecutive years, with France’s trip in 2013 to be their first three-test series against New Zealand since 1968, while England’s 2014 visit will be first three-test series against the All Blacks.
The tour itinerary also included hosting Wales in 2016, the British and Irish Lions in 2017 and France for another three-test series in 2018. There will be no tours in World Cup years (2015, 2019).
Announcing the plans this morning, Steve Tew, chief executive of the New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) said: "We have been pushing for a return to proper rugby tours and for three-test series for some time now so to see it now become a reality is fantastic.
"We are excited by the prospect of a three-test series each year and I think fans will be as well."
The NZRU is also in talks with the visiting sides to organise midweek matches that could be held out of the country's main cities, Tew added.
New Zealand loose forward Rodney So’oialo, meanwhile,will play for the Barbarians against Ireland and England, suggesting he is set to miss New Zealand selection for at least their opening three Tests of the season.
The All Blacks are due to play Ireland and Wales (twice) over three weekends from June 12th but So’oialo has gone to join the invitational side in London for a match against England on Sunday and another against Ireland at Thomond Park the following Friday with All Blacks coach Graham Henry’s full support.
“We have the utmost respect for Rodney and his commitment to the black jersey and he goes with our blessing,” said Henry, who names his 26-man squad for the June Tests on Sunday. “However, it’s important to note that he is by no means out of our thinking when it comes to future selection.”
Isaia Toeava has been ruled out of this summer’s tests due to a hip injury. The 26-test Auckland Blues player will have surgery this week to remove a bone spur from his hip that hampered him during the Super rugby season.
"It is jamming up against a nerve and it's pretty painful," Toeava said. "I've had cortisone, but the pain keeps coming back. They say it will take about four to six months to heal, and while it's pretty disappointing, it's best I get it fixed now."
Toeava's absence leaves New Zealand coach Graham Henry with a selection dilemma at midfield given centre Ma'a Nonu is likely to be out for at least six weeks with a knee injury.
The All Blacks have already lost winger Sitiveni Sivivatu and outhalf Mike Delaney to shoulder surgeries for the season and hooker Andrew Hore is also a doubt after dislocating his shoulder.
Fullback Mils Muliaina may also miss the June tests after breaking his thumb during the Super season. Lock Ali Williams is no certainty to return this year after undergoing a third round of surgery on a troublesome Achilles injury.