Tokyo to host Bledisloe Cup Test
Tue, 30 Jun 2009 09:45
Asia will again be the venue for a fourth Bledisloe Cup Test this year with Japan to host a showdown between the Wallabies and the All Blacks on October 31.
The Japan Rugby Football Union confirmed that it will stage the match at the National Stadium in Tokyo - centrepiece of the 1964 Olympic Games and with a capacity of more than 57,000.
Confirmation follows several months of negotiation between the Japan Rugby Football Union, their commercial agents Dentsu, and the Australian and New Zealand Rugby Unions.
Wallabies coach Robbie Deans applauded the selection of Tokyo as host for a Wallabies v All Blacks game.
"The staging of a Bledisloe Cup Test match in Japan is an exciting development for the game; both in Asia but also globally," he said.
"It is an opportunity for the rugby-loving public of Japan to see two of the best teams in action up close, while also having a rare opportunity to sample the great history which accompanies the Bledisloe Cup rivalry between Australia and New Zealand.
"The scheduling of a game in Japan is an exciting proposition for the players which they are looking forward to.
"Not only does it break up the trip between Australia and our Grand Slam tour destinations in the United Kingdom and Ireland, it also provides the team with the chance to represent their country in a new arena, and show the Japanese first hand why the Wallabies are one of the game's most respected teams.
"We all enjoyed the experience of playing up in Hong Kong last year, and all recognize the great potential for growth that exists within the game in Asia.
"Hopefully we can play our part to help Rugby develop by putting on a great spectacle, while also kicking our Spring Tour off on the right note with a valuable win over the All Blacks."
The Wallabies have never played a Test on Japanese soil.
There have been four Tests against Japan, but three were in Australia - two in 1975 and another at the 1987 World Cup.
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