US test could net NZ Rugby $2m$3m

AUCKLAND: The All Blacks have been handed a fixture in the United States that could make New Zealand Rugby millions.

Providing the volatile Covid19 landscape allows, the All Blacks will break new ground by playing in the United States capital for the first time this year as the national body seeks to boost revenue.

The Herald understands the All Blacks will play the US in Washington DC on October 23 in a test that, depending on ticket sales, is expected to net New Zealand Rugby between $2 million and $3 million.

NZ Rugby originally planned to stage a test between the All Blacks and the US at the new 70,000seat Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, but the October 23 date clashed with a home fixture for the Raiders NFL team.

Washington's 82,000 capacity FedEx Field — home to the NFL's Washington Football Team, formerly the Redskins — has since emerged as the new host venue.

Confirmation of the match is expected on Monday. The Herald has received an email stating Events DC will stage a press conference to announce ‘‘a major international rugby test match coming to FedEx Field this Fall 2021 featuring USA Rugby and a top team in the world’’.

Deputy mayor Jason Wright and Washington Football Team president John Falcicchio will be among those attending the announcement.

The Herald understands plans for the All Blacks XV — the yettodebut secondtier feeder team to the top side — to play the US and two matches in France this year have been scrapped to cut costs.

Since 1906, the All Blacks have played 20 matches across the US — from San Francisco to Berkeley, Santa Clara, New York, Los Angeles, San Diego and Chicago — but never in Washington DC.

The All Blacks have played four tests against the US, which is coached by South African Gary Gold and ranked 16th in the world, one place ahead of Uruguay.

In their last meeting seven years ago, in Chicago, the All Blacks routed the US 746.

The match comes at a time when New Zealand Rugby is negotiating a $387.5 million offer from Silicon Valleybased investment firm Silver Lake for a 12.5% share of commercial rights. —