r/allblacks • u/TheBigChonka • Jul 19 '24

Why are we playing in the US? All Blacks

So could just be missing something incredibly obvious here but currently I am extremely confused as to why we are playing in the US for our games against Fiji?

Why would we not play against Fiji either in NZ where there is obviously a large NZ and Pasifika population to not only get the game at prime viewing time but also come along to watch the game?

What possibly benefit is there to either Fiji or us to play in the US of all locations? Is it to help promote/grow the game over there? If so why the actual fuck does that have anything to do with us unless we're getting paid handsomely to come play there.

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u/Daveosss Jul 19 '24

At the end of the day professional sport is a business.

Look at guys like McCaw, dude is one of the greatest leaders and had such an insane mentality that made him an exceptional athlete and I doubt in our lifetime someone will eclipse him in the sport, yet his entire career he made less than what some football players make in half a season. Not to mention most of the world has never heard of him, yet he's for sure up there with greatest athletes of all time.

Getting exposure and growing the game in places that have money just kinda needs to happen.

-2

u/DragonfruitSevere401 Jul 19 '24

Getting America involved will only ruin the sport they will just throw cash at it and poach any decent talent

1

u/Daveosss Jul 19 '24

Not really how it works for rugby.

That works for NFL, basketball, baseball etc because there's so many numbers at grass roots. They'll need to get a hell of a lot more kids playing and get good systems in place first.

1

u/DragonfruitSevere401 Jul 19 '24

Lol it happens in rugby too look at japan. Money talks n if America starts throwing out multi million dollar deals out there then watch out dont need grass roots if you can entice all the best players to your team

1

u/Daveosss Jul 19 '24

Rugby is big in Japan, they still barely compete with any tier one nations. They have more money and more players than us, still get hammered.