Excitement is building in Rotorua ahead of the clash between the Maori All Blacks and Fiji on July 20.

It will be the most important rugby match to be played in the city since the Maori All Blacks took on the might of the British and Irish Lions in 2017.

That result on a murky night at Rotorua's International Stadium was a 32-10 victory for the visitors which ended the Maori All Blacks' proud record of six straight wins at the stadium going back to 1976.

Rotorua first hosted a Maori All Blacks fixture in 1973 when the All Blacks beat them 18-8 on their unique internal tour. Since then Samoa, Fiji, Tonga, England, Argentina and Ireland were all well beaten, with the highlight a resounding 62-14 thrashing of England in 1998.

Now the team coached by born-and-bred Rotorua rugby icon Clayton McMillan will take on Fiji in the second game of a home and away series. The Flying Fijians host the Maori All Blacks in Suva a week before the big match in Rotorua.

Bay of Plenty Rugby chief executive Mike Rogers says it is a significant occasion for McMillan who played his club footy for Whakarewarewa and 113 matches for the Bay of Plenty Steamers.

It will be the first time the Maori All Blacks have played in his home town with McMillan head coach.

"We are excited to host both teams and while we know the Fijians are fiercely loyal and vocal supporters of their team, the Maori All Blacks is a very special team for us and this is a unique opportunity to watch them play at home," says Rogers.

McMillan says the Maori All Blacks want to put right that result against the British and Irish Lions.

"For us, there's a sense of unfinished business as we probably left our rugby public less than satisfied after our last home game against the British and Irish Lions in 2017. I know we'd certainly like to make that up to Maori All Blacks supporters.

"Fiji recorded that historical win against France during their end of year tour, and so they come into this year in impressive form. I think they will be a great challenge for us playing in their back yard and here in Rotorua, a place that is very special to me.”

With both teams arriving in the city one week before the match, Councillor Charles Sturt, who leads the Rotorua Lakes Council sport and recreation portfolio, says there will be plenty of Maori and Pacifica events leading up to the match.

"We're thrilled Rotorua has been chosen to host this match. Rotorua has declared its commitment to becoming a bi-cultural district and Te Arawa culture is a core fabric of our local community so we have a special affinity with the Maori All Blacks.

"We also have a strong Pacifica community in Rotorua, and we will have a number of events outside of the game to celebrate all things Pacifica.

"And, of course, we have a very proud history of producing some of New Zealand's rugby greats who have played for both the Maori All Blacks and the All Blacks.”

The curtain-raiser for the match on July 20 is between Fiji Under-20 and New Zealand Maori Under-20 sides.

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