Florian Grill, president of the French Rugby Federation (FFR), confirmed a story in the newspaper L’Equipe by telling AFP that France had turned down New Zealand’s invitation to play a Test match in the USA in the summer of 2025.
Despite being asked to play the last match of their three-Test series against New Zealand in the United States, France declined.
Grill, the head of FFR, stated, “We thought that there was a double time difference to manage and a double change of season.”
“After consulting with our medical committee, we determined that it was unreasonable for the players’ health because it could have resulted in injuries, and the players’ health is our top priority.”
After losing to France 29–30 in Paris last month, the All Blacks have now lost three straight games. They played Ireland in Chicago in 2016 and Fiji in San Diego last July.
Next November, they will play the Irish once more in a replay in Chicago.
Given that the 2031 World Cup will be held in the United States, Grill said, “We can imagine that it could be interesting for the New Zealanders and it’s not uninteresting (to us) either.”
“But we can find other ways to travel to the United States without having to deal with the problem of changing seasons and a double time zone jump.”
Due to their inability to use players in the Top 14 Final on June 28, 2025, France will already be at a disadvantage on the tour.
Even if they do not play in the Final, they will probably rest a few important players.
The three Test matches are anticipated to take place on the weekends of July 5, 12, and 19, however the tour schedule has not yet been made public.
