The All Blacks and the Wallabies are taking their final Bledisloe Cup clash of 2018 to Japan.
Both New Zealand Rugby and the Japan Rugby Football Union confirmed on Wednesday that the two sides will square off at Nissan Stadium, Yokohama on Saturday 27 October, a week prior to the All Blacks' Test against Japan in Tokyo.
It will mark the second occasion on which the Trans-Tasman trophy has made its way to the Land of the Rising Sun after it was contested in Tokyo back in 2009, when New Zealand emerged with a 32-19 victory.
The match provides an opportunity for the All Blacks to get a sneak peek at the Yokohama Stadium ahead of their tournament-opening fixture against South Africa at the 2019 Rugby World Cup. It will also host both a semi-final and the final.
"It will be great for the team to prepare in two of the Rugby World Cup cities and play at the same venues," said New Zealand head coach Steve Hansen, who's currently in Japan on a reconnaissance mission.
"As well as preparing for a huge Bledisloe Cup Test and another important Test against Japan, it'll also give the team a chance to have a really good 'dummy run' of the facilities, and experience the unique Japanese culture."
New Zealand are currently on a streak of 15 consecutive Bledisloe Cup series wins, dating back to 2003.
"The last match in 2009 was a fantastic event but this year's Test at the 72,000-seat stadium stadium in Yokohama will be on another level," said NZR CEO Steve Tew.
The ticketing details and kick-off time for the Yokohama Bledisloe Cup Test as well as the All Blacks vs Japan Test are scheduled to be confirmed "in due course."
Newshub.
