All Blacks to play 2018 test match in Nelson for first time

The All Blacks will play a test match at Nelson's Trafalgar Park next year.

The Tasman Rugby Union is celebrating the biggest coup of its 11-year history after securing the hosting rights for an international fixture between the All Blacks and Argentina in Nelson.

Trafalgar Park hosted three matches at the 2011 Rugby World Cup featuring Italy, Australia, Russia and the United States, but this will be the first time that Nelson has hosted an All Blacks test.

Tasman chief executive Tony Lewis said the All Blacks would play Argentina on Saturday, September 8 as part of the 2018 Investec Rugby Championship.

Tasman's successful bid was a collaborative effort by the Tasman Rugby Union, Nelson regional Development Agency and Nelson City Council, with the majority of, as yet, unspecified funding coming from local private sector investment.

It was after reading former world heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson's autobiography while on holiday in Fiji earlier this year that Lewis first considered the notion of bringing a test to Nelson.

"[Tyson] talked about that when he was at his best, he concentrated on putting all his energy into the big things, not the small things, and you get more reward," Lewis said.

Lewis' initial spark coincided with an email to all unions from the New Zealand Rugby Union's general manager for planning and operations Nigel Cass asking for expressions of interest for hosting major matches.

The idea took root and with former Tasman president Shane Drummond and Nelson Regional Development Agency's chief executive Mark Rawson quickly on board, a bid was put to the NZR which was officially accepted in May.

The bid is underwritten by the NCC and private investors, including Drummond, logging contractor Mike Fraser and logging marketer Paul Jensen who were the key in securing the test.

It will also mean expanding Trafalgar Park's current seating capacity from 7000 to 21,000 with plans already well in place to accommodate that.

According to Lewis, the test match is the type of event that the Tasman region must aspire to host.

"For a long time, we've wanted to bring the first All Blacks test to the birthplace of rugby [in 1870] at the centre of New Zealand," he said.

"The Tasman Rugby Union's vision is to grow the game of rugby in the region and increase participation at all levels. We can't think of a better way to inspire fans, young and old, than by bringing the All Blacks to Nelson to play their first ever rugby test in the region.

"The supporters will have an opportunity to see and engage with the All Blacks in our own back yard. This will be a huge boost for rugby in the region."

"The key is that the New Zealand Rugby is guaranteed a return," Lewis said.

Nelson mayor Rachel Reese said that the decision by the NZR to give Nelson hosting rights for the game was great news for the region and its rugby fans.

"People may have had doubts that a city our size could achieve the ultimate - an All Blacks test match - but we are consistently aiming for excellence and I've had confidence in our community that we'd achieve this historic moment," Reese said.

Tickets will go on sale in April, 2018 and Tasman Rugby Union supporters, Makos 500 Club members and season ticket holders who purchase a 2018 Makos season package will be guaranteed a ticket. These will be available in September.