Earlier today the venues for the All Blacks home test matches in 2026 were announced. The All Blacks will open the year against France at the new One NZ Stadium, they'll then play Italy in Wellington and then two test matches at Eden Park against Ireland and Australia.

But have NZR missed the mark? Was the test match against Italy an opportunity to take test match rugby back out to the regions?

Tony Lewis was the CEO of Tasman rugby when they managed to secure an All Blacks test in Nelson in 2018 and he joined D'Arcy to discuss what bringing the test match to a smaller region meant to New Zealanders. 

LISTEN ABOVE

Earlier today the venues for the All Blacks home test matches in 2026 were announced. The All Blacks will open the year against France at the new One NZ Stadium, they'll then play Italy in Wellington and then two test matches at Eden Park against Ireland and Australia.
But have NZR missed the mark? Was the test match against Italy an opportunity to take test match rugby back out to the regions?
Tony Lewis was the CEO of Tasman rugby when they managed to secure an All Blacks test in Nelson in 2018 and he joined D'Arcy to discuss what bringing the test match to a smaller region meant to New Zealanders.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE

D'Arcy Waldegrave lives and breathes sport. He loves motorsport and revels in the torment of being a Warriors and Black Caps fan. Whatever the sport, big or small, he’s got a view. His non-stop enthusiasm sees him battle it out with a diverse selection of armchair commentators resulting in a sometimes explosive, but always compelling show weeknights 7pm-8pm on Newstalk ZB.

D'Arcy Waldegrave lives and breathes sport. He loves motorsport and revels in the torment of being a Warriors and Black Caps fan. Whatever the sport, big or small, he’s got a view.

Sportstalk with D'Arcy Waldegrave

Tony Lewis: Former CEO of Tasman Rugby discusses announcement of All Blacks home test venues

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/13eb1292-e29d-4ccd-aa35-b3ae006df8cc/transcript

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