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New Zealand ready to leave USA a lasting legacy in Chicago New Zealand ready to leave USA a lasting legacy in Chicago
(about 3 hours later)
In the run-up to Saturday’s historic Test between the USA and New Zealand at Soldier Field, the All Blacks have been in Chicago for a week. The city’s 2.7 million residents have thus had genuine world champions in their midst. However, many of them appear not to have noticed.In the run-up to Saturday’s historic Test between the USA and New Zealand at Soldier Field, the All Blacks have been in Chicago for a week. The city’s 2.7 million residents have thus had genuine world champions in their midst. However, many of them appear not to have noticed.
Such ambivalence has also stretched to the media, with only three local journalists attending the All Blacks’ first press conference in the city, leaving some Kiwi scribes pointedly concerned about the whole concept of this trip. Assurances have followed, from New Zealand players and staff, that anonymity made rather a refreshing change – yet by the end of the week reports came in of taxi drivers asking questions. Something was definitely afoot.Such ambivalence has also stretched to the media, with only three local journalists attending the All Blacks’ first press conference in the city, leaving some Kiwi scribes pointedly concerned about the whole concept of this trip. Assurances have followed, from New Zealand players and staff, that anonymity made rather a refreshing change – yet by the end of the week reports came in of taxi drivers asking questions. Something was definitely afoot.
The promotion of the game has been as impressive as it has been dauntless. Polite if bemused applause for Richie McCaw, shooting the puck at a Blackhawks game? Check. Polite if bemused locals being taught to kick by Aaron Cruden? Check. Home captain Todd Clever being asked if the All Blacks are the Yankees of rugby on morning TV? Check. There is no doubt the players have been doing their bit. The promotion of the game has been as impressive as it has been dauntless. Polite if bemused applause for Richie McCaw, shooting the puck at a Blackhawks game. Check. Polite if bemused locals being taught to kick by Aaron Cruden. Check. Home captain Todd Clever being asked if the All Blacks are the Yankees of rugby on morning TV. Check. There is no doubt the players have been doing their bit.
Large chunks of Chicago’s public remain unaware of the world champions’ arrival in the city, and in truth that is not surprising as they have other things to worry about – the Bears suck and the Blackhawks and Bulls are back in action. But there is little doubt the promotional efforts from both sides, Eagles and All Blacks, has had an effect, with a bigger part of the public than ever before having bought tickets for Saturday’s game. Large chunks of Chicago’s public remain unaware of the world champions’ arrival and in truth it is not surprising as they have other things to worry about – the Bears suck and the Blackhawks and Bulls are back in action. But there is little doubt the promotional efforts from both sides, Eagles and All Blacks, has had an effect, with a bigger part of the public than ever before having bought tickets for the game.
“It’s monumental for us,” said Bob Latham, chairman of USA Rugby and an IRB executive committee member. “The exposure is terrific, we have 62,000 in a stadium, it’s attractive to national television and it’s high-level rugby, which we’ve never had much before.” “It’s monumental for us,” said Bob Latham, the chairman of USA Rugby and an IRB executive committee member. “The exposure is terrific, we have 62,000 in a stadium, it’s attractive to national television and it’s high-level rugby, which we’ve never had much of before.”
Latham, noting that the Bears have a bye this weekend, freeing up NBC air time, also spoke at the USA Rugby Trust Gala, a charitable if slightly Caligulan feast staged on Thursday under a gigantic American flag at Union Station, the setting for the bloody finale of The Untouchables. Latham, noting the Bears have a no game this weekend, freeing up NBC air time, also spoke at the USA Rugby Trust Gala, a charitable if slightly Caligulan feast staged on Thursday under a gigantic American flag at Union Station, the setting for the bloody finale of The Untouchables.
“There are three legacies for USA Rugby,” he said. “One is to our team, who can only improve from facing such opposition. Two is to rugby in this country. And three is internationally – everyone around the world is fascinated. Is there a market for rugby here? Our previous record attendance was around 20,000 and we had no trouble selling out three times that. We now have interest from other leading nations.”“There are three legacies for USA Rugby,” he said. “One is to our team, who can only improve from facing such opposition. Two is to rugby in this country. And three is internationally – everyone around the world is fascinated. Is there a market for rugby here? Our previous record attendance was around 20,000 and we had no trouble selling out three times that. We now have interest from other leading nations.”
The legendary All Black hooker Sean Fitzpatrick, over that morning from London, took a similar, if slightly more spiritual view. “This is about the global game,” he said. “It’s not about New Zealand playing in America, it’s about spreading the word of the game that’s played in heaven. The All Black hooker Sean Fitzpatrick, over that morning from London, took a similar, if slightly more spiritual view. “This is about the global game,” he said. “It’s not about New Zealand playing in America, it’s about spreading the word of the game that’s played in heaven.
“I played against America in ’91 at the World Cup. If we’d tried to think then of playing in front of 62,000 people in an NFL stadium, we’d have been laughed out of town. It’s just fantastic.”“I played against America in ’91 at the World Cup. If we’d tried to think then of playing in front of 62,000 people in an NFL stadium, we’d have been laughed out of town. It’s just fantastic.”
It certainly seemed so at Union Station as Eagles and All Blacks pressed the flesh, the Americans, for some reason, holding up masks depicting the face of reserve lock Lou Stanfill. Hooker Phil Thiel and centre Seamus Kelly didn’t know why, but they were laughing. It certainly seemed so at Union Station as Eagles and All Blacks pressed the flesh, the Americans, for some reason, holding up masks depicting the face of the reserve lock Lou Stanfill. The hooker Phil Thiel and the centre Seamus Kelly didn’t know why, but they were laughing.
On the field the Eagles may have to laugh to lessen the pain. To avoid that, or at least postpone it as long as possible, head coach Mike Tolkin has picked his strongest side. Samu Manoa of Northampton, Saracens’ Hayden Smith and Chris Wyles and Leicester’s Blaine Scully all play. They will feature alongside some promising youngsters, such as the No8 Danny Barrett, a Californian with a handoff, and Seamus Kelly, a creative centre from New York who like Barrett has had a trial at Gloucester. On the field the Eagles may have to laugh to lessen the pain. To avoid that, or at least postpone it as long as possible, the coach Mike Tolkin has picked his strongest side. Samu Manoa of Northampton, Saracens’ Hayden Smith and Chris Wyles and Leicester’s Blaine Scully all play. They will play alongside some promising youngsters, such as the No8 Danny Barrett, a Californian with a handoff, and Seamus Kelly, a creative centre from New York who like Barrett has had a trial at Gloucester.
“Our selections were based on how we wanted to play,” said Tolkin. “The All Blacks present a big challenge, so worrying too much about them would be counter-productive.” “Our selections were based on how we wanted to play,” Tolkin said. “The All Blacks present a big challenge, so worrying too much about them would be counterproductive.”
Bold words but, alas, the Eagles have worries of their own. Professionals are scarce in two key areas: the front row and the halfbacks. Clever has spoken of needing to use the crowd’s detonating enthusiasm as rocket fuel. His props and playmakers may need it more than most. Bold words but, alas, the Eagles have worries of their own. Professionals are scarce in two key areas: the front row and the half-backs. Clever has spoken of needing to use the crowd’s detonating enthusiasm as rocket fuel. His props and playmakers may need it more than most.
Ranged against them is the closest the All Blacks have to a B team – no Richie McCaw, Dan Carter (who will be nursing his injuries on the bench), Jerome Kaino Ma’a Nonu and Conrad Smith. In place of such luminaries come other superb players, fully formed like the centre Sonny Bill Williams or being carefully moulded like Sam Kane, the anointed successor to McCaw. Ranged against them are the closest the All Blacks have to a B team – no Richie McCaw, Dan Carter (who will be nursing his injuries on the bench), Jerome Kaino, Ma’a Nonu and Conrad Smith. In place of such luminaries come other superb players, fully formed like the centre Sonny Bill Williams or being carefully moulded like Sam Kane, the anointed successor to McCaw.
“It’s another chance for those selected to pull on the jersey and play well,” Hansen said. “On this tour we want to give all the players in the squad the opportunity to grow their game – and we also want to develop our game as a team. It starts on Saturday.” “It’s another chance for those selected to pull on the jersey and play well,” Steve Hansen said. “On this tour we want to give all the players in the squad the opportunity to grow their game – and we also want to develop our game as a team. It starts on Saturday.”
Hansen has indicated that his selection is part of his preparation for retaining the World Cup next year. The game, coming a week before the All Blacks face England at Twickenham, mirrors the little-fish, big-fish rhythm of a World Cup, which the All Blacks of 2007 so famously failed to master. The All Blacks coach has indicated this selection is part of preparations for retaining the World Cup in England next year. The game, coming a week before the All Blacks face England at Twickenham, mirrors the little-fish, big-fish rhythm of a World Cup, which the All Blacks of 2007 so famously failed to master.
Of course, the husbanding of ageing stars also comes into it. McCaw at 33 for example, and with painful memories of winning the last World Cup on a broken foot, does not need to play too many games too soon. As with the Blackhawks’ loss to the Anaheim Ducks in midweek, he will watch this one from the stands.Of course, the husbanding of ageing stars also comes into it. McCaw at 33 for example, and with painful memories of winning the last World Cup on a broken foot, does not need to play too many games too soon. As with the Blackhawks’ loss to the Anaheim Ducks in midweek, he will watch this one from the stands.
USA C Wyles; B Scully, S Kelly, A Suniula, B Thompson; A Siddall, M Petri; E Fry, P Thiel, O Kilifi, S Manoa, H Smith, T Clever (capt), S LaValla, D Barrett. Replacements: T Coolican, N Wallace, M Moeakiola, T Tuisamoa, L Stanfill, S Suniula, F Niua, T Hall.USA C Wyles; B Scully, S Kelly, A Suniula, B Thompson; A Siddall, M Petri; E Fry, P Thiel, O Kilifi, S Manoa, H Smith, T Clever (capt), S LaValla, D Barrett. Replacements: T Coolican, N Wallace, M Moeakiola, T Tuisamoa, L Stanfill, S Suniula, F Niua, T Hall.
New Zealand: I Dagg; C Jane, R Crotty, SB Williams, C Pituau; A Cruden, TJ Perenara; J Moody, N Harris, C Faumuina, J Thrush, P Tuipulotu, V Vito, S Cane, K Read (capt). Replacements K Mealamu, W Crockett, B Franks, B Retallick, L Messam, A Pulu, D Carter, J Savea. New Zealand I Dagg; C Jane, R Crotty, SB Williams, C Pituau; A Cruden, TJ Perenara; J Moody, N Harris, C Faumuina, J Thrush, P Tuipulotu, V Vito, S Cane, K Read (capt). Replacements K Mealamu, W Crockett, B Franks, B Retallick, L Messam, A Pulu, D Carter, J Savea.
Referee C Joubert (South Africa)Referee C Joubert (South Africa)
Kick-off 8pm. TV: Sky Sports 2Kick-off 8pm. TV: Sky Sports 2