They Must Be REALLY Hard Up For Entertainment In Chicago...

[Lord Jim]

Or maybe they're giving the beer away...

USA v All Blacks is officially SOLD OUT!

BOULDER, Colo. – The USA Eagles’ historic match against the New Zealand All Blacks at Soldier Field, sponsored by AIG, is officially sold out, USA Rugby announced Friday.

Tickets for the Nov. 1 match at the 61,500-seat home of the National Football League’s Chicago Bears were first released to registered fans June 13 through a unique pre-sale opportunity. By the general on-sale date, June 16, 20,000 tickets had been sold.

The highest attendance ever for an international rugby union match in the United States – 20,181 – was recorded at a match between the Eagles and Ireland at BBVA Compass Stadium in Houston, Texas, June 7, 2013. The Eagles’ match against the New Zealand Maori All Blacks at PPL Park in Philadelphia, Pa., last November set the record for a largest sell-out crowd with 18,500 tickets sold.

A record crowd in the stands will also be dwarfed by the number of viewers watching the live broadcast on NBC. Universal Sports Network will host a pre-game show at 2 p.m. CT before NBC begins its live telecast at 2:30 p.m. The official match kick-off time is 3 p.m., but fans are encouraged to get to their seats early to hear Jim Cornelison and SOL3 MIO sing the national anthems of the United States and New Zealand, respectively, and to see the world famous haka performed.

“This sellout crowd speaks to the growing popularity of rugby in the U.S.,” said Gary Quinn, vice president of programming & planning for NBC Sports Group. “More than 61,000 passionate fans at a historic venue like Soldier Field will paint a fantastic picture for the audience at home watching this game on NBC next Saturday.”

“It’s been a while since we’ve hosted the All Blacks and I think you can tell with this sell out,” USA Rugby Chief Executive Officer Nigel Melville said. “The USA is growing as a rugby nation both on and off the field; I know the atmosphere in Soldier Field will be electric. This is a fantastic opportunity for us to showcase the global game of rugby to American sports fans at an iconic football stadium in Chicago and across the country via a live NBC broadcast.”

http://www.chicagonow.com/chicago-rucks ... -sold-out/

[Gob]

USA vs New Zealand? Ouch, I'm surprised they sold so many tickets too. It's not exactly going to be a contest of equals.

Worth going along for the Haka I suppose..

[Lord Jim]

I actually don't find Rugby completely unwatchable, (it's not like it's Cricket; it's sort of like what football was like before keeping your teeth was considered important...) to be honest, I may even watch a bit of this game...

But 62,000 tickets sold?

ETA:

There's a big controversy now in football about the physicality of the sport causing brain damage...

Of course they don't worry about that in rugby, since the players all start out brain damaged...

[rubato]

Or maybe they're giving the beer away...

USA v All Blacks is officially SOLD OUT!

BOULDER, Colo. – The USA Eagles’ historic match against the New Zealand All Blacks at Soldier Field, sponsored by AIG, is officially sold out, USA Rugby announced Friday.

Tickets for the Nov. 1 match at the 61,500-seat home of the National Football League’s Chicago Bears were first released to registered fans June 13 through a unique pre-sale opportunity. By the general on-sale date, June 16, 20,000 tickets had been sold.

The highest attendance ever for an international rugby union match in the United States – 20,181 – was recorded at a match between the Eagles and Ireland at BBVA Compass Stadium in Houston, Texas, June 7, 2013. The Eagles’ match against the New Zealand Maori All Blacks at PPL Park in Philadelphia, Pa., last November set the record for a largest sell-out crowd with 18,500 tickets sold.

A record crowd in the stands will also be dwarfed by the number of viewers watching the live broadcast on NBC. Universal Sports Network will host a pre-game show at 2 p.m. CT before NBC begins its live telecast at 2:30 p.m. The official match kick-off time is 3 p.m., but fans are encouraged to get to their seats early to hear Jim Cornelison and SOL3 MIO sing the national anthems of the United States and New Zealand, respectively, and to see the world famous haka performed.

“This sellout crowd speaks to the growing popularity of rugby in the U.S.,” said Gary Quinn, vice president of programming & planning for NBC Sports Group. “More than 61,000 passionate fans at a historic venue like Soldier Field will paint a fantastic picture for the audience at home watching this game on NBC next Saturday.”

“It’s been a while since we’ve hosted the All Blacks and I think you can tell with this sell out,” USA Rugby Chief Executive Officer Nigel Melville said. “The USA is growing as a rugby nation both on and off the field; I know the atmosphere in Soldier Field will be electric. This is a fantastic opportunity for us to showcase the global game of rugby to American sports fans at an iconic football stadium in Chicago and across the country via a live NBC broadcast.”

http://www.chicagonow.com/chicago-rucks ... -sold-out/

Well sure. They went to a Nation of Islam temple and a Christian Identity church and didn't tell them it was a rugby match.

yrs,
rubato

[Econoline]

Whatever.

Never heard of the USA Eagles, but they're bound to be more entertaining than watching the Bears lose yet another football game....

I'll have to go over there and check out Jim's "free beer" theory.

[Gob]

Econo;

The United States men's national rugby union team, nicknamed the Eagles, represents the United States in the sport of rugby union. The national team is controlled by USA Rugby, which is a member of the North American and Caribbean Rugby Association, one of six regional governing bodies under the International Rugby Board. The United States is the reigning Olympic champion in rugby, having won gold at the 1920 and 1924 Summer Olympics.

As of October 2nd, 2014, the Eagles are ranked 18th in the world by the IRB World Rankings. Their highest ranking, achieved ahead of the 2007 World Cup, was 14th; their lowest ranking was 20th, following a winless campaign in the 2008 Churchill Cup.

The Eagles have qualified for six of the seven Rugby World Cups. Their best finish was 10th in 1987; most recently, they finished 16th in 2011. The United States has expressed interest in hosting a Rugby World Cup, possibly in 2023 or 2027.

Beginning in 2013, the United States began competing in the IRB Pacific Nations Cup. Previously, the U.S. has competed in the now-defunct Churchill Cup and the Pan American Championship

Sonny Bill Williams' starting return will headline an experimental All Blacks side that takes on the United States in Chicago this week.

Rather than be eased in from the bench, Williams is expected to mark his return to the All Blacks - after a more than two-year absence in the NRL - by donning the No 12 jersey and teaming up with Ryan Crotty in the midfield at a sold-out Soldier Field.

Malakai Fekitoa started the past three tests in the previously foreign inside centre role. He produced some fine attacking moments - notably scoring the match-winning try against the Wallabies in Brisbane - but adjusting to the different defensive lines remains a work in progress. This week presents the chance to give him a breather, which would also allow Williams to create added competition.

After a rigorous test campaign, and with the USA expected to offer minimal resistance, several experienced figures could be given the chance to recover ahead of the genuine English challenge at Twickenham the following week.

[Gob]

I actually don't find Rugby completely unwatchable, (it's not like it's Cricket; it's sort of like what football was like before keeping your teeth was considered important...) to be honest, I may even watch a bit of this game...

You may find it a bit taxing Jim, there's 80 minutes of play to watch, not 12 as in USA football, and they don't stop every 30 seconds for a marching sousaphone band to play. Probably won't have meatloaf singing there either.

[oldr_n_wsr]

Do they have cheerleaders in skimpy outfits?

[BoSoxGal]

I didn't see anything regarding ticket price - if the tickets were uber cheap, of course they'd sell out.

[Lord Jim]

Do they have cheerleaders in skimpy outfits?

Apparently:

http://www.superxv.com/gallery/

ETA:

I'd call it pretty much a tie:



Though you should probably watch it three or four times just to be sure that you give a fair rating...

[Lord Jim]

If I'm reading this correctly:

https://www.tab.co.nz/sport/#22

The odds against the Eagles are 51-1 (they won't take any more bets on New Zealand right now, even at those odds)

Well, I thought just to be patriotic I'd put five bucks on the US team, (51-1 is a lot better than I'd get playing lotto) but apparently these folks will not accept bets from people in The Land Of The Free and The Home Of The Brave, and this is the only site I've found that even has the game listed...

[Gob]

One of the few American imports I heartily approve of.

[Lord Jim]

Well, I'd have been out five bucks...

I caught the last bit of this massacre; final score New Zealand 72, USA 6....

Like a football game between The University of Alabama Crimson Tide and The Little Sisters Of Mercy Junior High School squad...

I say we carpet bomb Wellington so those Kiwis can gain a proper appreciation for the cost involved in humiliating the US of A...

[Lord Jim]

What really gets me is the fact that there were sixty two thousand people willing to pay money to witness this...

Despite the fact that the outcome was obvious apriori the event...

On the other hand, maybe it isn't all that difficult to understand...

After all, Chicagoans keep paying money to watch Cubs games...

[Gob]

It could have been worse Jim, the Kiwis could have sent out a first string side.

Code hopper Sonny Bill Williams made a successful return to international rugby by scoring two tries as the All Blacks hammered the United States 74-6 in their Test at Soldier Field in Chicago on Saturday.

Williams, who was fast-tracked back into the team after two years playing rugby league, also made several tackle-bursting runs for the world champions, but suffered a blow to his hip in the second half and was replaced.

The score was a record for the All Blacks against the US, surpassing their 51-3 victory in 1913, in their third official Test between the two teams.

Cruden scored an early second-half try before he was replaced by Dan Carter, who was making his first All Blacks appearance in almost a year after a six-month sabbatical and lengthy recovery from a broken leg.

The All Blacks dominated the second half and while their execution level dropped they were still able to score four other tries through Joe Moody, Israel Dagg, Sam Cane before Savea added his second with Carter adding three conversions.

The Eagles were combative and looked good with the ball in hand, but their only reward was two first-half penalties to five-eighth Adam Siddall.

Williams' fitness was not the only injury concern for coach Steve Hansen as they head to London for their clash with England next weekend at Twickenham with Harris (ankle) and Jane (hamstring) both replaced during the game.

New Zealand 74 (Harris, Jane, Tuipulotu, Williams (2), Piutau, Savea (2), Moody, Cruden, Dagg, Cane tries; Cruden 4 cons; Carter 3 cons) bt USA 6 (Siddall 2 pens)

[Econoline]

After all, Chicagoans keep paying money to watch Cubs games...

Bingo.*

P.S. Bon Jovi sold out Soldier Field. Madonna sold out Soldier Field. Luke Bryan (who?) sold out Soldier Field. Just sayin'....







* Have I mentioned recently that I'm from the SOUTH side of the city?

[Gob]

You've got this to look forward to now...

USA ON THE RWC STAGE

Unlike their soccer counterparts who famously toppled the once mighty England team in the association football code’s 1950 World Cup, the USA Eagles have yet to taste success against a major rugby-playing nation at the Game’s showpiece tournament.


Replicating the global dominance they enjoy in other sports is an ongoing challenge for the USA in rugby, and the odds will be stacked against them once again when they line up alongside South Africa, Samoa, Scotland and the Asia 1 qualifier – quite possibly Japan – in England next year.

Since beating Japan 21-18 in their first-ever Rugby World Cup match in 1987, the Eagles have only won two matches in 17 attempts –against Japan again in 2003 and Russia last time out in New Zealand.

A lack of regular fixtures against recognised opposition made the Eagles something of an unknown quantity heading into the inaugural tournament in 1987 when the rugby landscape was very different than it is today.

Tries from flanker Gary Lambert, full back Ray Nelson and wing Mike Purcell, all converted by Nelson, who also added a penalty goal, saw the Eagles open their campaign in encouraging fashion at Ballymore in Brisbane. Predictably the win over Japan was followed by defeats to Australia (47-12) and England (34-6).

The Eagles were handed a tough draw in 1991 after being paired with hosts England, reigning world champions New Zealand and Italy, who they played first up at Otley in the biggest match seen at the picturesque Cross Green ground since the North famously beat the All Blacks eight years earlier.

This time there was no upset, as the Italians ran in four tries to one with captain Kevin Swords crashing over for a consolation score. The Eagles then put in a hugely creditable performance against the All Blacks at Kingsholm, managing to keep their line intact for the first 25 minutes before going on to concede eight tries in a 46-6 defeat.

With a final pool match against England at Twickenham, RWC 1991 was certainly a memorable experience for the USA’s players and Nelson’s try against the host nation, which rounded off a well-worked backs’ move, was definitely one for the highlights reel. England won 37-9.

USA rejoined the Rugby World Cup fold in 1999 after the disappointment of missing the tournament in South Africa four years earlier. They opened up with a heavy defeat (53-8) to Ireland in Dublin, a match notable for Keith Wood’s four tries and Brian O’Driscoll’s first in international rugby.

Defeat to Romania (27-25) would have been avoided in their next match had Kevin Dalzell been able to convert Kurt Shuman’s late try. As it was, the Eagles went into their final pool clash against Australia destined for a whitewash. Despite losing 59-19, they bowed out in style after centre Juan Grobler scored what proved to be the only try the eventual champions would concede throughout the whole tournament.

Arguably USA’s best performance at a Rugby World Cup came in the 2003 edition in Australia, when they beat Japan (39-26) and ran Fiji mighty close (19-18) in their opening match. Again a late missed conversion cost them dear against the Islanders, with fly half Mike Hercus unable to add the extras to Kort Schubert’s last-gasp try. In their other two fixtures USA were far from disgraced in losing to Scotland (39-15) and France (41-14).


It was a case of so near yet so far again for the Eagles in France in 2007. They began with a 28-10 defeat to England in Lens, a result that flattered an English side lucky to keep 15 men on the park after Phil Vickery’s trip on Paul Emerick went unnoticed by referee Jonathan Kaplan.

Despite their impressive showing against the defending champions, USA were unable to justify their favourites tag against Tonga four days later in Montpellier, losing 25-15. Defeat to Samoa (25-21) followed before Takudzwa Ngwenya scored the try of the tournament – later named IRPA Try of the Year, after leaving Bryan Habana for dead in a 64-15 loss to South Africa.

It was not so much a Cold War, more a wet and windy arm-wrestle in New Plymouth, when the USA played Russia on the back of their opening round 22-10 loss to Ireland at the start of RWC 2011.

Mike Petri scored the only try of the match to help the Eagles to a 13-6 win – only their third in Rugby World Cup history. But that was as good as it got for the North Americans who bowed out with defeats to Australia (67-5) and Italy (27-10).

RECORD BREAKERS

Thretton Palemo became the youngest player in the history of the Rugby World Cup when he made his debut for the Eagles at the 2007 tournament in France in the defeat by South Africa just eight days after his 19th birthday.

HIGH

A few months before RWC 2007 started, Bryan Habana, one of the world’s best wingers, gave a cheetah a run for its money in a charity sprint race. However, the Springbok star was powerless to stop lightning-quick Eagles wing Takudzwa Ngwenya turning him inside and out and showing him a clean pair of heels when they came head-to-head in Montpellier.

LOW

In going 16 years between Rugby World Cup victories (1987-2003) USA built up what was then the longest losing streak (10 matches) in the tournament’s history.

QUOTE, UNQUOTE

“It’s a 15-man game and it’s not Mike’s job to win it at the death,” USA head coach Tom Billups defends a devastated Mike Hercus after the player’s missed conversion against Fiji hand the Eagles’ opponents a 19-18 win.

STATS-AMAZING

http://www.rugbyworldcup.com/teams/prof ... id=51.html

[Lord Jim]

After all, Chicagoans keep paying money to watch Cubs games...

Bingo.*

P.S. Bon Jovi sold out Soldier Field. Madonna sold out Soldier Field. Luke Bryan (who?) sold out Soldier Field. Just sayin'....




* Have I mentioned recently that I'm from the SOUTH side of the city?

Yes, I can just imagine how this played out:

Chief Promoter: "Okay guys, we're going to set up a rugby match between the New Zealanders, the best rugby team on the planet, and the US team; we need to figure out where to hold it..."

Promoter Asst 1: "Well boss, you realize that Americans don't know anything about rugby, and don't care about rugby, and the US team will get its ass kicked..."

Chief Promoter: Yes, of course; that's a given. The question is where can we hold this "contest" where people will actually buy tickets to see it...

(Long silence....)

Fendwell: "I think I have the answer sir"

Chief Promoter: "Yes, Fendwell?"

Fendwell: "Chicago sir. Those people have spent money on losers for decades, they're used to it. It's what they do. There's no location in the entire country where you could find more people willing to spend their hard earned cash to watch an inevitable defeat than in Chicago... it's perfect...

Chief Promoter: Excellent Fendwell, set it up. You're getting a bonus...

[Reality Bytes]

I thoroughly enjoyed the game, I particularly liked the American commentary team who were clearly thrilled to bits to have the All Blacks in the US - yes the USA didn't have a cat in hells chance, but the game wasn't about that, everyone knew that long before the Kiwi's even set foot in the USA but it was an opportunity for Americans to watch the best rugby team in the world play, and a chance for Team USA to play against the very best and hopefully learn a few things. It was also an opportunity for US rugby to raise it's profile which it undoubtedly did, a fair few of the Team USA players ARE professionals playing with good teams all around the world but a lot of your squad are amateurs who would normally never get the chance to play in such a big game against the best players in the world. Bah humbug all you want but your guys weren't disgraced and put up a pretty good fight.

We play the All Blacks in 3 weeks time - I doubt if we'll beat them either this particular Kiwi side is quite possibly the best there has ever been but the game has been sold out for months and mil stad capacity is 72,600 because it'll be one hell of a great game to watch and sometimes miracles DO happen....and 72600 people would give anything to be able to say "I was there" on the day it does.

[Lord Jim]

I thoroughly enjoyed the game, I particularly liked the American commentary team who were clearly thrilled to bits to have the All Blacks in the US - yes the USA didn't have a cat in hells chance, but the game wasn't about that, everyone knew that long before the Kiwi's even set foot in the USA but it was an opportunity for Americans to watch the best rugby team in the world play, and a chance for Team USA to play against the very best and hopefully learn a few things.

Oh please...

The only thing you "learn" when your team loses 74-6 is that your team had no business being on the same field with the other team...