Ireland v ABs: Chicago, November 2016
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Wurzel" data-cid="541277" data-time="1447446755">
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<p>Supposedly the Eagles are playing the Maori at Soldier Field the night before.</p>
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<p>Can't say I'm a fan of the ABs vs Ireland fixture. If the All Blacks are willing to play Tests in America then play the Eagles. They're essentially whoring the States for their massive population to fill the stands and fill the NZR coffers. If I were an US rugby fan I'd feel a little used and abused.</p>
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<p>I know it makes financial sense for NZR but yeah, all seems a bit odd to me.</p>
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<p>Is it really going to grow the game if the ABs head over to the US every couple of years and give them another thrashing? I think the novelty would start to wear off pretty quickly, so having a proper Tier 1 vs Tier 1 game is a little different.</p>
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<p>That said, I think continually playing at Soldier Field every time they head over to the US is going to wear down the novelty too. They should be looking at spreading these games around, playing Ireland in Boston probably would've been a much better idea.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Wurzel" data-cid="541277" data-time="1447446755"><p>
Supposedly the Eagles are playing the Maori at Soldier Field the night before.<br><br>
Can't say I'm a fan of the ABs vs Ireland fixture. If the All Blacks are willing to play Tests in America then play the Eagles. They're essentially whoring the States for their massive population to fill the stands and fill the NZR coffers. If I were an US rugby fan I'd feel a little used and abused.<br><br>
I know it makes financial sense for NZR but yeah, all seems a bit odd to me.</p></blockquote> don't know about US fans being concerned. We had our exec leadership in town this week. One in particular was raving about the AB's and the haka and went to the last game in the US with his 8yo. Absolutely in awe of the ab's. He didn't even know the US played in the WC! Reckon it works for everyone. Nzrfu makes coin which is a necessary evil, rugby gets exposure in the US and the Eagles get a game in which they shouldn't get pumped in. -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="hydro11" data-cid="541287" data-time="1447452484"><p>Are people so sure it will sell out? Australia vs the USA didn't. Will two foreign teams really draw 60,000 in Chicago? I would say it depends how many Irish go across.</p></blockquote> it will sell out no doubt in my mind. Anyone else other than the ab's maybe not. But abs v anyone will sellout I reckon.
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="taniwharugby" data-cid="541283" data-time="1447450729">
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<p>Isnt this about growing the game, surely there is bigger growth potential in the US than those 3 combined, plus the NZRU makes some coin...this is the world we live in</p>
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<p>You're right t <em>is</em> the world we live in...sigh,,, but I hate the way it just feels a tiny bit like the Harlem Globe-Trotter All Blacks...and yes we will sell it out..</p> -
<p>Go for it NZRU, Aura, as beautiful as she is won't pay the bills</p>
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<p>Can't fault the realistic way NZRU has balanced income with gimmickry, but whatever our opinions, the bottom line has a dollar sign on it</p>
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<p>Otherwise we get more players like Piutau leaving at their prime with a hope and a "promise" they'll come back - players don't come back from up north any good. Or we have to come up with test quota schemes like the Aussies have decided to do (Giteau rule).</p>
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<p>As people have said, it's the way of the world we live in</p> -
Don't underestimate the Irish population on the east coast of America. It is massive and they could probably sell it out on their own!
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Glath" data-cid="541490" data-time="1447490309">
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<p>Why always Chicago?</p>
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<p>Mix of big enough city (and surrounding area), with ideal venue.</p>
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<p>Looking at the biggest cities in North America Los Angeles doesn't really have a suitable stadium, New York City's rectangular stadium is actually in New Jersey and quite a hike, Miami no downtown stadium an absolute hike with zero public transport, ditto Boston.</p>
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<p>Chicago being central is also a really cheap/convenient option to fly to from all over North America.</p>
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<p>San Francisco and Denver are the only two others that I've heard floated for the ABs and Chicago has pretty clear advantages over both of those.</p>
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<p>If I hazard a guess the next North American venue will be the upgraded stadium in Toronto where the Maori have played twice in the past three years.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Sambo" data-cid="541386" data-time="1447470497">
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<p>it will sell out no doubt in my mind. Anyone else other than the ab's maybe not. But abs v anyone will sellout I reckon.</p>
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<p>The Irish travel and there is a shit tonne of Irish in the US/Canada. Between curiosity factor and the supporter base of both sides I expect nothing short of a quick sell out.</p> -
<p>I'm considering it.</p>
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<p>Family in Chicago.</p>
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<p>My 50th a couple of weeks later.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="hydro11" data-cid="541287" data-time="1447452484">
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<p>Are people so sure it will sell out? Australia vs the USA didn't. Will two foreign teams really draw 60,000 in Chicago? I would say it depends how many Irish go across.</p>
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<p>Everyone in America thinks they're Irish.</p>
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<p>Seriously, the diaspora (real and/or perceived) is ridiculous.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="ulsterman" data-cid="542977" data-time="1447847612">
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<p>Everyone in America thinks they're Irish.</p>
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<p>Seriously, the diaspora (real and/or perceived) is ridiculous.</p>
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<p>Payne, White, Strauss and Boss will fit right in then, eh?</p> -
<p><span style="color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Georgia, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif;font-size:16px;">“The first time I played for Ireland was a very proud moment for me. I don’t think that’s going to change, that feeling I get every time I put on the green jersey and represent the country.</span></p>
<p style="font-size:16px;font-family:Georgia, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif;color:rgb(51,51,51);"><span style="margin:0px;font-style:inherit;font-family:inherit;text-align:center;"><span style="margin:0px;font-style:inherit;font-family:inherit;"><span style="margin:0px;font-style:inherit;font-family:inherit;"><img src="http://cdn.thejournal.ie/embeds/twitter/fa5eae293cbf63afb63d01ebdd58085c.png" alt="fa5eae293cbf63afb63d01ebdd58085c.png"></span><span style="margin:3px 0px 0px;font-style:italic;font-size:11px;font-family:sans-serif;text-align:left;color:rgb(153,153,153);">Source: <a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='https://twitter.com/merrionstreet'>MerrionStreet.ie</a>/Twitter</span></span></span></p>
<p style="font-size:16px;font-family:Georgia, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif;color:rgb(51,51,51);">“I think the only difference now is that I can really say it’s my country. It’s great and hopefully we can go on and be successful.â€</p> -
<p>Gonna start saving now. I would love to go, think it will be great.</p>
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<p>I think the novelty of watching the Eagles get thrashed by the ABs would quickly wear off. I think the Maori game for them is a nice compromise - still playing a team in black from NZ, to get more Americans interested. </p>
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<p>Chicago the States' busiest airport, flights from everywhere else to Chicago.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Wurzel" data-cid="541277" data-time="1447446755">
<div>
<p>Supposedly the Eagles are playing the Maori at Soldier Field the night before.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Can't say I'm a fan of the ABs vs Ireland fixture. If the All Blacks are willing to play Tests in America then play the Eagles. <strong>They're essentially whoring the States for their massive population to fill the stands and fill the NZR coffers. If I were an US rugby fan I'd feel a little used and abused.</strong></p>
<p> </p>
<p>I know it makes financial sense for NZR but yeah, all seems a bit odd to me.</p>
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<p>I doubt it. The NFL send teams to play over in England sometimes.</p>
<p>Exposing the game to the rest of the world is something i think they understand.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Gary" data-cid="555914" data-time="1454436420">
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<p>Is this still going ahead? its not on the All Black site or the Irish site.</p>
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<p>The agreement won't be confirmed with the marketing company involved until the next few weeks - no final decision yet.</p>
