Twelve players from the All Blacks squad for the Rugby Championship will play provincial rugby this weekend, a week before the first test match against Argentina.
Most of the players will have played matches before the weekend, with five of the six teams facing the All Blacks playing Burnings NPC on Friday.
Tasman Marko have signed four key players – David Haviley, Will Jordan, Ethan Blackladder and Noah Hotham – who will travel to Christchurch to face Southland.
In a clash between the two Chiefs-affiliated provinces, Taranaki will bring in Josh Rhodes while Bay of Plenty will bring in former All Blacks captain Sam Cain and Pacilio Tosi.
New international centre Billy Proctor will represent Wellington against Manawatu, while Caleb Clarke will represent Auckland against Counties after announcing a new one-year contract with NZR and the Blues.
On Saturday afternoon, Offa Tuungapasi will face Northland’s North Harbour, which features All Blacks rookie Wallace Sititi.
The All Blacks will reconvene at NZCIS in Wellington on Sunday, August 4 ahead of the first Test at Sky Stadium on August 10.
