<
>

Wales confirm midweek Test against the Chiefs

Dan Mullan/Getty Images

Wales will have little chance to rest after their first Test in New Zealand next summer, with a midweek game against the Chiefs announced on Tuesday.

The match at Hamilton's Waikato Stadium offers head coach Warren Gatland -- and fly-half Gareth Anscombe -- the chance of a homecoming and comes just three days after the first of three games against the All Blacks, at Eden Park on Jun. 11.

Following their clash with the two-time Super Rugby champions, World Cup quarterfinalists Wales will face New Zealand in two further Tests, in Wellington on Jun. 18 and Dunedin a week later.

"It is great our midweek match against the Chiefs has been confirmed," Gatland, Hamilton's Honorary Ambassador, said.

"For the squad it will be an opportunity for further valuable game time together ahead of the second and third Tests against the All Blacks.

"For me personally it will be an honour to bring Wales to Hamilton and face the Chiefs."

Chiefs CEO Andrew Flexman said: "The combination of Wales' success and popularity at the current Rugby World Cup and Warren's connections to this region, will make for a very special match.

"We are thrilled to be able to provide this unique opportunity for our loyal fans and are grateful to the Welsh Rugby Union, New Zealand Rugby, Waikato Rugby Union and the Hamilton City Council for helping make this happen."