KEY POINTS:
Hong Kong this year, Tokyo, Beijing or even New York next. Who knows what will come as the All Blacks push into more lucrative global sporting and commercial markets.
After confirmation the All Blacks will play a Bledisloe Cup match in November in Hong Kong, they are being chased to play annual internationals in Asia or in the United States where the NZRU has formed a business alliance.
Nothing was discounted, NZRU chief executive Steve Tew said yesterday, no idea dismissed. However Tew insisted great care would be taken to ensure All Blacks supporters saw enough of their team in New Zealand.
"It is not a wrench to take the All Blacks to Hong Kong for this test, it is very exciting, an historic first for the Bledisloe Cup and sports need to go to new markets," said Tew. "But we also have to be conscious of the number of domestic tests the All Blacks have.
"Hong Kong fits this year because it is a rugby destination on the way to our schedule in Europe and we have the confidence they can run the game. We want to see how this game goes and I am sure Hong Kong are keen for this not to be a one-off."
Tokyo or Beijing could host future All Blacks tests while the United States were keen to pick up on their new commercial links with New Zealand.
Tew said the All Blacks would go to areas where they could promote the sport and turn a profit. "The money has to work," he said. "We are keen to play our part but we are not entirely altruistic towards the development of world rugby."
Australian chief executive John O'Neill has revealed that the Springboks want to play a Tri-Nations test against the Wallabies in Dubai while he has also flown to Japan to check out interest there in hosting tests or being involved in an expanded Super 14.
Meanwhile, Tew arrived home confident the NZRU would accrue a tidy profit (estimates are in the range of $5 million) from the November 1 test in Hong Kong where the local union will get a fee to run the match and the NZRU and ARU will split the surplus.
Sky Television have the rights to broadcast the test which will be played at the 40,000-capacity Hong Kong Stadium where the most expensive tickets will cost NZ$160.
After that international, the All Blacks move on to a four-test Grand Slam challenge but are having trouble confirming some midweek matches. Tew would not confirm whether Stade Francais was still in the frame nor would he be drawn on the size of the coaching and playing party.
"Those things are all up in the air. We have to remember club grounds over there are quite small so we have to be aware of the financial issues as well.
"We will leave it until the selectors have picked their first squad this season but 30 is about normal for a trip that size. We are conscious about having as many players as we can ready for the start of the following Super 14."
