The All Blacks will play Japan as a warm-up for their 2018 end of year tour, New Zealand Rugby Chief Executive Steve Tew confirmed Wednesday evening.
The match, scheduled for 3 November, will not only give the All Blacks an opportunity to get familiar with their surroundings for the 2019 Rugby World Cup but assist Japan in ramping up preparations ahead of the global tournament.
"Interest in rugby in Japan is on a high and will only build as we get closer to Rugby World Cup 2019," Tew said.
"The Test will not only provide a great opportunity to prepare for the 2018 end of year tour, it also gives the team first-hand experience of playing in Japan less than a year out from the tournament."
The venue for the match hasn't yet been determined but it will be the first meeting between the sides in five years, with the last match coming in Tokyo back in 2013.
Tew said it was always a part of the world the team looked forward to visiting.
"Playing in Japan is always a highlight. Their fans love the game and are great supporters of the All Blacks and New Zealand rugby."
It's been a good few years for Japanese rugby, with Eddie Jones leading the side to a famous victory over South Africa at the 2015 Rugby World Cup.
Their Super Rugby team the Sunwolves has also come on in leaps and bounds this season, recording their first ever victory over a South African franchise.
Newshub.
