Hong Kong's Cup secret 'revealed'
Mon, 03 Mar 2008 08:51
Big prize: Richie McCaw with the Bledisloe (right) and 3N cups
One of the worst kept secrets is out! Hong Kong will host a Bledisloe Cup Test in November, when the All Blacks and Wallabies go head-to-head in this historic encounter.
Media speculation has, for some time, suggested that New Zealand and Australia will take their Bledisloe Cup encounters offshore to tap into the rich Asian markets.
On Monday the Australian Rugby Union (ARU) and New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) confirmed that they have accepted an invitation from the Hong Kong Rugby Football Union (HKRFU) to play a match in Hong Kong, which will see the Bledisloe Cup series extend to Asia this year.
The match will be played on Saturday, November 1.
The Bledisloe Cup is one of the most storied trophies in Australasia, with a history that dates back to 1931, and represents the pinnacle of trans-Tasman sporting supremacy says NZRU CEO Steve Tew.
"Together with our partner rugby unions, we are excited to accept Hong Kong's invitation to stage the first international in Asia to feature two of the world's top teams," Tew said.
"The match will make history and help promote rugby in a part of the world where it is developing quickly. We know both the All Blacks and the Wallabies have many fans in Asia and it is fantastic to be able to bring the game to them and to local rugby enthusiasts."
With the addition of the Hong Kong match, the Bledisloe Cup will be decided over four Tests in 2008.
Australia and New Zealand are scheduled to meet three times as part of the Tri-Nations series and then contest the fourth and final match in Hong Kong.
It is the first time the two teams have played each other outside of either Australia or New Zealand except for at the World Cup, and the first time this important trophy has been up for grabs outside of Australia and New Zealand.
"Australia and New Zealand are great sporting rivals and the Bledisloe Cup is always fiercely contested," said ARU Chief Executive and Managing Director John O'Neill.
"November's match will be no different. It promises to be a full-blooded encounter between two of the sport's heavyweights. This is not an exhibition game."
The HKRFU will host the match and will use the occasion to promote rugby with youth and club tournaments in the week leading up to the match and potentially a curtain raiser between Hong Kong and China on the day of the match.
"Hong Kong's status as a rugby destination continues to grow," said HKRFU Executive Director Allan Payne.
"Teams and fans always enjoy the Sevens, but international 15-a-side rugby is another remarkable and distinct rugby experience. With millions watching on television around the world this is rugby at its best and a real showcase for Hong Kong."
"The concept of the match has attracted a lot of interest since it was first mentioned last year," said Payne.
"It is our aim to host events of this calibre on an annual basis," he said.
"There is certainly a lot of interest in seeing rugby at this level being played in the region."
