Bledisloe going to Denver?

[James]

Now Bledisloe Cup heads to US shores
Wed, 27 Aug 2008 13:03

First came the Hong Kong Stadium. Now it is the 'Mile High' stadium in Denver, Colorado, as New Zealand and Australia continue to take their brands - and the Bledisloe Cup - to all corners of the globe.

A reports on Newstalk ZB in New Zealand said at least one of the Bledisloe Cup matches between the All Blacks and Wallabies will be played in the United States next year.

The Bledisloe Cup contest between the Kiwis and Aussies will go outside Australasia for the first time when the two sides go head-to-head in Hong Kong on November 1.

Now the New Zealand Rugby UNion (NZRU), Australian Rugby Union (ARU), Sydney marketing company Moore Sports, the Denver Sports Commission and USA Rugby are working together on the proposal.

Sue Baldwin from the Denver Sports Commission says the match is tentatively scheduled for October 31 next year. The venue would be the Invesco Field, which fits 78,000 people.

Baldwin says USA Rugby needs to sign off on the proposal, which it received in July. She says Moore Sports has been dealing directly with the New Zealand and Australian Rugby Unions.

The Invesco Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado, replaced the identically sized, but commercially obsolete Mile High Stadium (named for the fact that Denver is exactly one mile above sea level) in 2001. The Stadium is famous as the home of the Denver Broncos Gridiron in the National Football League (NFL).

Why Denver of all places? I'm probably far wrong but I wouldn't have thought many people in that neck of the woods would rock up for a Aus v NZ rugby test.

I kinda like the concept though for the 9 game Tri-Nations series having a home, away and neutral fixture. I'm sure it would never work financially and logistically and stuff but say the Aussie vs SA neutral could be in Dubai and the NZ vs SA one could be in Japan or Hong Kong and the NZ vs Australia game could be in the USA.

[The Lone Hydrangea]

Ive been to Denver. Great place. Perhaps need to talk to our US chicken man why Denver is the gig. Definitely like the idea of playing a match that has a bearing on the ulimate prize than a exibition match. Best two teams playing a particular sport. US is a large market. Wonder if our man Johnson has a hand in this?

[The Man]

The field looks good as well

INVESCO Field at Mile High


and I am sure these clubs will be happy

Denver Barbarians RFC Website - Home

http://www.denverhighlanders.org

Denver Harlequins RFC

Queen City Rugby Football Club | Denver, Colorado

Black Ice Rugby

[JediKnight]

Larry - how about organising an InnFORCErs tour to Denver for the Bledisloe?!

[Nipper]

While Denver is a great place, one would think that the East Coast (Boston - New York City corridor) or the West Coast (San Fran/San Diego) would offer much more in terms of local fans, and the ability for visitors to get there. Dunno why Denver is being floated, other than it's where USA Rugby is headquartered!

[James]

other than it's where USA Rugby is headquartered!

Ok that about explains it.

[LarryNJ]

Larry - how about porganising an InnFORCErs tour to Denver for the Bledisloe?!

OK I'll start calling the girls now... I can get a few more if they change it to NY Philly area!
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There's also some hot guys at the gym for any ladies or who may come.

[Badger]

There's also some hot guys at the gym for any ladies or who may come.

And Jargs.

[jargan83]

And Jargs.

Good one endo
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[Badger]

Good one endo
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i thought so Endo

[jargan83]

getting a bit off topic



Will it be a 4 game series again next year or 1 home, 1 away and 1 neutral?
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[AndyS]

Nope, I'm still opposed root and branch:

• All Bledisloe deciders on neutral territory!
• Kick-off for a match in Denver between 5 and 9 in the morning!
• 100% absolutely guaranteed that Perth will never, ever get a Bledisloe cup match regardless of whatever venue we get lumbered with!
• The probable loss of the SA test too, once there are only two tests a year (no incoming tours with expanded Super rugby)!

If it is all about the money, why not just book it into Twickenham...we can get paid in pounds and you know plenty will show up. Actually, if we are so cool about the 3N travelling, why not just play it in Europe at the same time as the 6N? We were only going to watch it on telly anyway, and that way we can focus on the S14. On the upside, sending your premium events out of country is such a good idea that we can look forward to Australia hosting a European Cup final, the Superbowl and at least a couple of World Series games.

[Burgs]

I think Andy may be a little grumpy at the concept...