POL
28-04-2008, 11:02 AM
Should be some occassion, will Thomand be ready to hold the expected 900,000 fans?
The All Blacks will play Munster on their end of season grand slam tour in November, the New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) said.
The match is scheduled to commemorate the European Cup finalists' 30th anniversary of defeating the All Blacks in 1978 and the successful redevelopment of Limerick's Thomond Park.
Munster beat the All Blacks 12-0 in 1978, before Graham Mourie's side went on to record test victories over all four home unions __ the first New Zealand team to record the grand slam.
'Munster has a proud history including their famous 1978 victory and a European Cup final this season,' NZRU chief executive Steve Tew said in a statement.
'We are delighted to be part of another chapter that also has commercial benefit for both teams.
'One of our aims is to find additional revenue to support the game in New Zealand. As rugby people, we're glad to see it take the shape of a mid-week match.'
The match will be played on Tuesday 18 November.
The NZRU are seeking new ways to generate revenue in an effort to stymie player drain to rich European clubs.
They have scheduled a Bledisloe Cup tie against Australia for 1 November in Hong Kong before tests against Ireland, Scotland, Wales and England.
The All Blacks will play Munster on their end of season grand slam tour in November, the New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) said.
The match is scheduled to commemorate the European Cup finalists' 30th anniversary of defeating the All Blacks in 1978 and the successful redevelopment of Limerick's Thomond Park.
Munster beat the All Blacks 12-0 in 1978, before Graham Mourie's side went on to record test victories over all four home unions __ the first New Zealand team to record the grand slam.
'Munster has a proud history including their famous 1978 victory and a European Cup final this season,' NZRU chief executive Steve Tew said in a statement.
'We are delighted to be part of another chapter that also has commercial benefit for both teams.
'One of our aims is to find additional revenue to support the game in New Zealand. As rugby people, we're glad to see it take the shape of a mid-week match.'
The match will be played on Tuesday 18 November.
The NZRU are seeking new ways to generate revenue in an effort to stymie player drain to rich European clubs.
They have scheduled a Bledisloe Cup tie against Australia for 1 November in Hong Kong before tests against Ireland, Scotland, Wales and England.