All Blacks to take on England in test match at the end of 2012 - Rugby News
Rugby Football Union has revealed their 2012 autumn schedule on November 10, in which England will play four tests including the last one against world champs All Blacks on December 1. The much anticipated clash between England and New Zealand will be played
at the historic venue of Twickenham. This will be the maiden test of All Blacks to be played on English territory in the forthcoming year. The match has been named the Hillary Shield to honour the great player Sir Edmund Hillary.
New Zealand Rugby Union chief executive, Steve Tew, has appreciated the new tradition to honour great players. In his message after the confirmation of the single test match, Tew said that it is a start of great tradition to compete for the shield. It will
be interesting to mention that All Blacks are on a nine match winning streak against the English side. All Blacks will be the clear favourites for the up coming clash as well.
He added that, “These Tests are a massive challenge especially with New Zealand winning the World Cup. The southern hemisphere has set the benchmark over the years and we know that they hold dominance so it is always good to pit yourself against them. Players
and supporters love the northern v southern hemisphere rivalry so there is a lot to look forward to.”
He also stated that, “England and New Zealand have contested the Hillary Shield three times since it was introduced in November 2008.”
The All Blacks are also scheduled to play three more tests in the same tour, which is kicking off from November 2012. However, New Zealand Rugby Union has not unfolded the rest of their fixtures as of yet. Meanwhile, Rugby Football Union has issued the whole
schedule for the autumn season. They will play one each test respectively against Fiji, Australia, South Africa and New Zealand.
The detail of England’s test fixtures lies as under:
Saturday 10 November 2012, KO 2.30pm
England vs. Fiji
Saturday 17 November 2012, KO 2.30pm
England vs. Australia
Saturday 24 November 2012, KO 2.30pm
England vs. South Africa
Saturday 1 December 2012, KO 2.30pm
England vs. New Zealand
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