Wallabies-All Blacks to play in Tokyo in fourth Bledisloe Cup clash
June 30, 2009
The Wallabies will take on the All Blacks on October 31 in a fourth match of the Bledisloe Cup at Japan's 57,000-seat National Stadium.
But the Australian Rugby Union (ARU) also confirmed that the series will be scaled back from four matches to three in 2010 as focus shifts towards the 2011 World Cup and national sides face an increasingly busy Test schedule.
It will be only the second Bledisloe Cup match staged on neutral soil, following last year's fixture in Hong Kong where the All Blacks beat the Wallabies 19-14.
The match will precede the Wallabies' European tour in November, when they take on England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales in their first grand slam attempt in 25 years.
ARU deputy chief executive Matt Carroll said taking another Bledisloe Cup Test to the bigger commercial markets in Asia was an exciting initiative for all involved.
“Playing in Tokyo is certainly in line with our strategic imperatives, announced at the start of 2008,'' Carroll said.
“As was outlined then, ARU is endeavouring to gain a share of valuable rugby economies outside Australia.
“The game in Japan receives significant university and corporate support.
“It is also an important step forward in terms of sporting relationships between our two countries.''
Wallabies coach Robbie Deans welcomed the announcement.
“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,'' Deans said.
“The scheduling of a game in Japan is an exciting proposition for the players which they are looking forward to.''
New Zealand have held the Bledisloe Cup since 2003 and beat the Wallabies 3-1 in 2008.
AAP
http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,...016959,00.html
