New Zealand unveils packed Lions schedule, Wales visit

New Zealand Rugby (NZR) on Friday announced a packed 10-match programme for the 2017 British and Irish Lions tour, including three Tests between the Lions and All Blacks.

In addition to the internationals, the Lions will play all five of New Zealand's Super Rugby teams, the Maori All Blacks and a composite Provincial XV.

NZR chief executive Steve Tew said the tour was set to generate more demand than the Lions' last trip in 2005, when 20,000 travelling fans created a boisterous atmosphere and injected an estimated NZ$135 million ($90 million) into the economy.

"The series in New Zealand will be a huge occasion, featuring the best players from England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales and providing almost six weeks of incredible rugby," he said.

The Lions tour every four years, with the event rotated between South Africa, New Zealand and Australia, where they overcame the Wallabies 2-1 in 2013.

They lost 3-0 when last in New Zealand in 2005, with the defining moment a spear tackle on Brian O'Driscoll early in the first Test that forced the Irishman out of the tour.

Overall, New Zealand have won 27 Tests and the Lions six since the tours began in 1888, with the visitors achieving their only series win in 1971.

NZR also revealed it will host Wales in June next year for a three-Test series against the All Blacks.

New Zealand 2016/17 home schedule:

2016

June 11 - All Blacks v Wales, Auckland

June 18 - All Blacks v Wales, Wellington

June 25 - All Blacks v Wales, Dunedin

August 27 - All Blacks v Australia, Wellington

September 10 - All Blacks v Argentina, Hamilton

September 17 - All Blacks v South Africa, Christchurch

October 22 - All Blacks v Australia, Auckland

2017

June 3 - Provincial XV v Lions, Whangarei

June 7 - Auckland Blues v Lions, Auckland

June 10 - Canterbury Crusaders v Lions, Christchurch

June 13 - Otago Highlanders v Lions, Dunedin

June 17 - Maori All Blacks v Lions, Rotorua

June 20 - Waitako Chiefs v Lions, Hamilton

June 24 - All Blacks v Lions, Auckland

June 27 - Wellington Hurricanes v Lions, Wellington

July 1 - All Blacks v Lions, Wellington

July 8 - All Blacks v Lions, Auckland

August 26 - All Blacks v Australia, Dunedin

September 9 - All Blacks v Argentina, New Plymouth

September 16 - All Blacks v South Africa, Auckland
Source: AFP