|
 News of the August exhibition match follows on from the announcement
that Australia's Wallabies would play the United States at Chicago's
Soldier Field en route to the World Cup later this year.
The All Blacks also played the Eagles in Chicago last year.
The 'Hemispheres Cup' in New Orleans will be played on Aug. 1,
though it is unlikely any international players will be involved
just six weeks out from the World Cup.
Crusaders Chief Executive Hamish Riach said their team would be a
combination of Super Rugby and provincial players.
"This will be an amazing opportunity for some of our local players
to be involved in such a unique event," he said.
"There is a real appetite for rugby in the United States at the
moment, so I am sure that the game will be well supported."
Rugby's power brokers have long eyed the United States as an
untapped source of commercial revenue and playing stocks, though the
inclusion of rugby sevens at next year's Olympics has been seen as a
stepping stone to cracking the market.
[to top of second column] |
The United States won their first World Sevens Series tournament in
London last Sunday, while World Rugby said last week the 2018 sevens
World Cup would be held in San Francisco.
(Reporting by Greg Stutchbury; Editing by Peter Rutherford)
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