Bledisloe Cup Match in the USA?

[Bad Company]

Bledisloe Cup test could be played in US

By GREG FORD - Sunday Star Times | Sunday, 24 August 2008

The New Zealand Rugby Union confirmed yesterday it was "in dialogue" with
the United States Rugby Union and "may" stage one of next year's Bledisloe
Cup matches against Australia in the US.
Although the concept is in its genesis, the old Mile High Stadium site in
Denver, Colorado, where the US Rugby headquarters is based, has been
designated as the likely venue. The NZRU recently started a formal
relationship with the US union as the US is a market it's keen to tap into.

NZRU chief executive Steve Tew said: "We're looking at a number of
possibilities [for next year's Bledisloe Cup]. Denver is one of them. But as
I said, we're in the very early stages.

"It would be wrong to say we're planning a test there. That would be going
too far. But it's fair to say we're looking at it. But before we make any
decision we need to ascertain whether it is viable first. It has to stack
up. There has to be a genuine reason for being there."

One reason would be money. A match in the US could generate some serious
cash. Rugby is a fledgling sport in the US but the All Blacks brand has a
solid following and would prove a drawcard as it's proving for this year's
Hong Kong Bledisloe fixture.

Tew confirmed that match is all but sold out and if next year's Bledisloe in
the US were equally as popular, test matches in the US could become a
regular part of the landscape.

Tew said there was an appetite for big tests on foreign territory and the
Australian Rugby Union was keen to take a game to Tokyo next year, which
could supplant the fixture in Denver. An All Blacks' match against Ireland
in New York or Boston has also been talked about.

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So, a match between 2 of the top sides in world rugby in Denver could be on the cards.

Would anyone from here go see it?

[Bad Company]

Noone interested? Come on.

[Downunder]

Fuck off, what a waste.

[Sting Fan]

A worrying trend i think.

I understand the money aspect and all that, and the NZRU needs to run a profit but if this comes at the expense of home tests there going to be some very pissed off fans.

And by the same token if this becomes a watered down money making venture they better get armed gaurds at NZRU headqurters because people will want blood.

Its a very fine line to walk.

[Nervous Ferret]

Drew Bledsoe

[BCWWF]

Sorry for my ignorance, which might be helped by reading the article more thoroughly, but this is the series between New Zealand/Australia that is part of Tri-Nations, right? So does that mean that one of the home games, either NZ or AUS, wouldn't actually be a home game?

TBH I think this is a terrible idea. I don't think it would go over nearly as well as it should in the U.S. to justify taking a huge emotional game out of the south Pacific. I like the concept of trying to introduce rugby, but honestly they could probably have similar success by just bringing in England and some other team for a friendly.

[Bad Company]

Well said really, I think the NZ v Aus test is a moneymaker, but it doesn't need to be for the Bledisloe.
They are playing in Hong Kong for it later this year, which will be interesting.

[Triple A]

Drew Bledisloe

[Supreme Olajuwon]

I'd definitely go see it. I've been meaning to go to Denver for a while now anyway. If they do play the match here Denver would be ideal. Pretty solid hotspot for emerging sports in the US.

[Bad Company]

Yeah, do they have a suitable rugby stadium there? They can easily convert something for 1 match, so what would they do? Would there be a big crowd?
It'd be an awesome experience for any American rugby fan, as it may not happen again for some time! And I don't see the US hosting a world cup just yet.

[Downunder]

A better idea would be a test series France V USA in the US, at least the yanks would have a team to support.

[Bad Company]

Jeeze, but the Americans are too proud to watch that whooping.

[Supreme Olajuwon]

I think a match between two elite sides would draw a lot better than the US vs anyone else. Americans don't need to follow rugby to know that our nation's team isn't that good. The All Blacks would be a much bigger draw than our national team. Much the same way Americans would come out for two European soccer clubs instead of one vs a US club.

It's odd how our national pride works sometimes.

[Bad Company]

Originally Posted by Supreme Olajuwon I think a match between two elite sides would draw a lot better than the US vs anyone else. Americans don't need to follow rugby to know that our nation's team isn't that good. The All Blacks would be a much bigger draw than our national team. Much the same way Americans would come out for two European soccer clubs instead of one vs a US club. It's odd how our national pride works sometimes.

I think most countries are the same, if they suck, they aren't interested in the national side, but if tha game is decent enough, and you're getting top sides in, then you're gonna draw crowds.

[Stickman]

I'd be tempted to go down to see it. Rugby is a beautiful game.

[Supreme Olajuwon]

If they do have the All Blacks come to America then Adidas needs to get off their ass and do some serious marketing work. Just saturate the airwaves with rugby campaigns. People will bite.