All Blacks want a bash at 'grand slam'

New Zealand want a Welsh date

New Zealand rugby bosses are hoping that the All Blacks will make a 'grand slam' tour at the end of the year, but they need their Welsh counterparts to get on board.

The New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) have announced that the All Blacks will play England, Ireland and Scotland in November.

NZRU chief executive Chris Moller is, however, also hoping to persuade his opposite number David Moffett to add Wales to the list, giving the All Blacks their first 'grand slam' tour since 1978.

"It's a possibility, I wouldn't say it's a probability. We'll continue to talk to them," Moller told The Dominion Post.

"It would be fantastic. Imagine a year where we have the [British and Irish] Lions tour and then a grand slam.

"It's hard to think of anything better, other than perhaps a World Cup."

Moller said it was a "special year" for All Blacks rugby, being 100 years since the Originals embarked on their epic tour of Britain and France where their only loss was 0-3 to Wales in Cardiff.

Unlike the other Home Union sides, Wales have scheduled only two November internationals. But New Zealand's tight schedule means that any game against the Welsh would have to fall outside the IRB's November window for international fixtures.

Test schedule for November 2005:

ENGLAND

12/13 November: England v Australia
19/20 November: England v New Zealand
26/27 November: England v Samoa

FRANCE

12/13 November: France v South Africa
19/20 November: France v Tonga
26/27 November: France v Canada

IRELAND

12/13 November: Ireland v New Zealand
19/20 November: Ireland v Australia
26/27 November: Ireland v Romania

ITALY

12/13 November: Italy v Tonga
19/20 November: Italy v Argentina
26/27 November: Italy v Fiji

SCOTLAND

12/13 November: Scotland v Argentina
19/20 November: Scotland v Samoa
26/27 November: Scotland v New Zealand

WALES

12/13 November: Wales v Fiji
19/20 November: Wales v South Africa

Kick-off times, venues and a decision on Saturday or Sunday matches will be confirmed by the individual host unions.