Bledisloe Cup
Fourth Bledisloe returns to Hong Kong
Scrum.com
May 18, 2010
A general view before the Bledisloe Cup match between the Australian Wallabies and the New Zealand All Blacks at Hong Kong Stadium in Hong Kong, China on November 1, 2008.
Hong Kong Stadium played host to the historic first overseas Bledisloe Cup match in 2008 © Getty Images
Enlarge

New Zealand and Australia will play a fourth Bledisloe Cup match in Hong Kong on October 30, the destination of the first overseas Cup clash in 2008.

The All Blacks and Wallabies will compete in the extra Bledisloe Test on their way to Europe for their end-of-season Tours as has become the annual ritual. Last year's fourth Test was held in Tokyo in front of 44,449 fans.

The New Zealand and Australia rugby unions have opted for a return to the lucrative Hong Kong venue for this year's match, which brought in upwards of NZ$4 million for the NZRU alone in 2008.

"We always wanted to build on the tremendous success of the historic 2008 encounter, and are thrilled to bring the All Blacks and Wallabies back to Hong Kong," said Hong Kong Rugby Football Union executive director Robert Knight.

"Bringing the Bledisloe Cup back to Hong Kong will reinforce our position as a global rugby destination. With millions watching on television around the world this is rugby at its best and a real showcase for Hong Kong. We are sure that the teams and fans alike will be in for a remarkable rugby experience."

NZRU chief executive Steve Tew added: "There was an incredible response when the All Blacks played the historic Bledisloe Cup Test match there two years ago and we are expecting a similar experience."

Australian Rugby Union managing director and chief executive John O'Neill made no secret of the money-making potential in Asia.

"To take the game to Hong Kong for a second time in three years ... is a sign that we are serious about embracing the Asian market. It's in rugby global interests to ensure our footprint becomes more distinct in Asia, and to build on the wonderful advances the Hong Kong sevens has made for the code."

Australia and New Zealand play the first three Bledisloe Cup matches as part of the upcoming Tri-Nation series.

© Scrum.com

Live Sports

Communication error please reload the page.