Leeds will take on Four Nations champions New Zealand at Headingley Carnegie as part of the tourists’ preparations for their autumn series against England
- Leeds are preparing to face New Zealand as part of the visitors’ warm up for the Autumn series against England
- The match will be played on Friday October 23 at the Headingley Stadium
- Rhinos chief executive Gary Hetherington has spoken of the honour it will be to host the reigning Four Nations champions
The match on Friday, October 23 will be the first time a Super League club has played a touring side since 2002 and marks the 125th anniversary of Headingley Stadium.
Leeds chief executive Gary Hetherington said: ‘To have been granted a game against the current Four Nations champions is a huge honour and a privilege for Leeds Rhinos.
Ourselves and the Kiwis have a long shared history and this will be the chance to write a new chapter.
‘Our links with New Zealand include the many great players who have played for us down the years like Bert Cook, Dean Bell and Ali Lauitiiti from New Zealand.
‘This will be a fitting way to bring down the curtain on the 2015 season and a special occasion to be at Headingley, just like our recent World Club Challenge clashes with Melbourne and Manly.
‘The current group of players have achieved so much together; however, this would be a first even for them and it will be a special night.’
New Zealand are no strangers to Headingley having played there against Papua New Guinea and Scotland on their way to the 2013 World Cup final.
The club-versus-country contest will give England an early look at the Kiwis ahead of the three-Test series which begins at Hull’s KC Stadium on November 1.
