New Zealand
New Zealand PM supports All Blacks Test in Samoa
ESPN Staff
June 2, 2014
Samoa are stepping up pressure for a Test in their backyard © Getty Images
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New Zealand Prime Minister John Key supports the idea of a first All Blacks Test in Samoa, but admits discussions over a possible date have yet to begin.

As reported by Radio New Zealand, Samoa Mr Key was speaking in the Samoan capital, Apia, on Monday as part of a three-country Pacific Mission.

When the New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) announced in November 2013 that the All Blacks would play against the United States in Chicago in November this year, the call went up for a Test in Samoa.

Samoan Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, who is also the head of the Rugby Union, told a news conference that the standard of play of Pacific teams was being held back by a lack of international games.

"We come often to your very cold climate and shiver as we play and we would like the All Blacks to come here, enjoy the sun and play," he said.

Mr Key said there have been positive signals from the NZRU about a possible match in Samoa, but no date has yet been set.

"They're obviously keen to come, and I think that's right," he said. "At some point the New Zealand Rugby Football Union would try and make a date available and come up here to Apia and play, but I don't think that date's been confirmed, I don't think discussions have been held with the IRB. Next year's a pretty busy year with the World Cup, so who knows how that would all go."

Last week former Samoa centre Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu posted a controversial YouTube video claiming the All Blacks would have toured Nazi Germany "if Hitler had an interest in rugby" in reference to his opinion that New Zealand's tour choices are based on financial criteria.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd

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