2018 Bledisloe Cup in Japan

[waiopehu oldboy]

The third Bledisloe Cup match next year will be in Tokyo, a week before the All Blacks play Japan en route to Europe.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11938739

World Cup reconnaissance or shameless cash grab?

 

[dillyboy]

Probably a bit of both....
EDIT: at least we don't have to face you guys at home twice next year

 

[dru]

Is this a Kiwi home game?

Makes sense to me. Kiwis have to be getting a little hohum with the Bled. May as well chase some cash in Japan.

A dry run for the guys in Japan is just a bonus.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

^^^^^^ yes, it's strictly speaking an NZ home game so RA gets a match fee & NZR looks after all the match day expenses (incl. of course the all-important match program ) out of whatever money they can screw out of the broadcaster's etc.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

AB's (read: Bled Cup reserves + fringe players) will play Japan a week after Bled 3 so looking slightly more cash grab than reconnaissance at this point.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

Is there a mod in the house who can insert "Bledisloe" into the title where I inexplicably omitted it? Please?

Venue confirmed as Yokohama:

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby...wallabies-to-play-bledisloe-cup-test-in-japan

72K stadium so gate should be pretty lucrative & then there's the broadcast dish on top. Could easily exceed the $US1Mn they picked up for the Soldier Field excursion a coupla years back & somewhat compensate for ERU still being a pack of wankers revenue sharing-wise.

EDIT: I expect RA/ARU to man up & put the DHL (Challenge (?)) Trophy up for this.........

 

[Inside Shoulder]

Maybe RA should sell them the first game - it might be worth more as the rubber will still be alive, just

 

[Nath]

I'm goin' baby.

Do a mini tour before the world cup, make sure all the beer taps are in good working oder.