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Another overseas Bledisloe
By Iain Payten
November 20, 2008 THE financial success of Australia's recent Hong Kong stopover has ensured another offshore Bledisloe Cup next year - but at an undecided venue.
A revenue-raising fourth clash with New Zealand this year yielded $2million each for the ARU and their Kiwi counterparts. Both parties are keen to cash in again and are contemplating a range of new cities around the globe to visit.
New Zealand reports suggest a game in Denver, Colorado, is close to being finalised but it's understood the US is one of three possibilities, alongside Tokyo and London. A clash in Denver would be held at the 76,000-seat Ivensco Field, home of the Broncos NFL team.
But while the potential for a bumper payday has been boosted by the falling Australian and Kiwi dollars, there remain fears a Bledisloe Cup clash may not match Barack Obama's recent feat at Ivensco - filling the stadium.
Officials are worried a half-full venue could defeat the financial purpose of the exercise and tarnish the Bledisloe brand.
The likelihood of a lucrative full-house at Twickenham saw ARU boss John O'Neill meet with the RFU last week.
Tokyo remains strongly supported as well, with rugby keen to tap into the Japanese market.
http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,...-23217,00.html