Scotland Faces Challenging Summer Tour Against Māori, Fiji, and Samoa

WHANGĀREI, New Zealand — Scotland’s rugby team is set to embark on an anticipated Summer Tour beginning with a match against the Māori All Blacks on July 5, marking their first visit to New Zealand since 2000. This three-match journey also includes games against Fiji and Samoa, presenting a formidable challenge for the squad.

The encounter against the Māori All Blacks at Semenoff Stadium will be the third meeting between the teams, following matches in 1998 and 2000. The Māori All Blacks narrowly won the latter match 18-15 in New Plymouth. Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend emphasized the significance of this matchup, stating, “Playing against the Māori All Blacks will be a proper introduction to New Zealand rugby, providing a rigorous test, especially in the contact area.”

Following the opening match, Scotland will travel to Fiji for their first game on Fijian soil since 2017, scheduled for July 12 at HFC Bank Stadium in Suva. Scotland triumphed in their last two meetings in recent years but will face a resurgent Fiji side that has established itself as a formidable force in global rugby. Townsend noted, “Fiji has shown over the past few seasons that they are a rising force, and we will be challenged in both attack and defense.”

The tour concludes back in New Zealand, with Scotland facing Samoa at Eden Park in Auckland on July 18. Scotland previously defeated Samoa 34-0 at the 2019 Rugby World Cup, yet historical encounters between the nations have been tightly contested. “Samoa are one of the most physical teams in world rugby, and they were very competitive at the 2023 World Cup,” Townsend remarked, highlighting the intensity anticipated in this match.

With many players possibly unavailable due to their commitments to the British and Irish Lions, Townsend aims to assemble a knowledgeable and experienced squad for the tour. He expects to recruit players not involved in the recent Guinness Six Nations, stating, “It will be an experienced group overall that we are planning to take out on tour, as we know these are three very tough games for us.”

The Summer Tour not only provides an opportunity for Scotland to test their mettle against established rugby nations but also serves as a platform for players to impress on the international stage. Last year, 11 players made their debuts during the Tour of the Americas, a stepping stone for athletes like Max Williamson and Gregor Brown, who went on to have impactful performances.

As Scotland prepares for this unique journey to the South Pacific, the team looks forward to gaining insight into the rich rugby culture of New Zealand and the challenges that lie ahead. “Spending time in a country with such a deep rugby culture is such a unique and special experience,” Townsend said, offering a glimpse into the team’s excitement and anticipation.

Match details for the tour are as follows:

• Māori All Blacks v Scotland — Semenoff Stadium, Whangārei, Saturday, July 5, 2025, kick-off 3:35 pm (local time)
• Fiji v Scotland — HFC Bank Stadium, Suva, Saturday, July 12, 2025, kick-off 3 pm (local time)
• Samoa v Scotland — Eden Park, Auckland, Friday, July 18, 2025, kick-off 8:05 pm (local time)

Broadcast arrangements are still to be confirmed. Tickets are available now from various outlets. Furthermore, those interested can sign up for the newsletter from Scottish Rugby to receive the latest updates on the matches.