Hong Kong will host one of the world rugby's great contests in November when the All Blacks and Australia battle for the Bledisloe Cup at the Hong Kong Stadium.

The Australian and New Zealand Rugby Unions today confirmed that they have accepted an invitation from the Hong Kong Rugby Football Union to play a match in Hong Kong which will see the Bledisloe Cup series extend to Asia this year.  The match will be played on Saturday, November 1, kicking off at 4.30pm HKT (7.30pm AEDT; 9.30pm NZT).

The Bledisloe Cup is one of the world sport's most storied trophies, with a history that dates back to 1931, and represents the pinnacle of trans-Tasman sporting supremacy says NZRU CEO Steve Tew.

"Together with our partner rugby unions, we are excited to accept Hong Kong's invitation to stage the first rugby international in Asia to feature two of teh world's top teams.  The match will make history and help promote rugby in a part of the world where it is developing quickly.  We know both the All Blacks and the Wallabies have many fans in Asia and it is fantastic to be able to bring the game to them and to local rugby enthusiasts."

With the addition of the Hong Kong match, the Bledisloe Cup will be decided over four Tests in 2008. Australia and New Zealand are scheduled to meet three times as part of the Tri Nations Series and then contest the fourth and final match in Hong Kong.  It is the first time the two teams have played each other outside of either Australia or New Zealand except for at Rugby World Cup, and the first time this important trophy has been up for grabs outside of Australia and New Zealand.
"Australia and New Zealand are great sporting rivals and the Bledisloe Cup is always fiercely contested," said ARU Chief Executive and Managing Director John O'Neill.  "November's match will be no different.  It promises to be a full-blooded encounter between two of the sport's heavyweights.  This is not an exhibition game."

The Hong Kong Rugby Union will host the match and will use the occasion to promote rugby with youth and club tournaments in the week leading up to the match and potentially a curtain raiser between Hong Kong and China on the day of the match.

"Hong Kong's status as a rugby destination continues to grow," said HKRFU Executive Director Allan Payne.  "Teams and fans always enjoy the sevens, but international 15 aside rugby is another remarkable and distinct rugby experience.  With millions watching on television around the world this is rugby at its best and a real showcase for Hong Kong."

"The concept of the match has attracted a lot of interest since it was first mentioned last year," said Mr Payne.

"It is our aim to host events of this calibre on an annual basis," he said.  "There is certainly a lot of interest in seeing rugby at this level being played in the region."

For further information please contact:

Mr Warrick Dent
Commercial Manager
Hong Kong Rugby Football Union
Tel +852-2504-8314
Mob +852-9272-0357
Email: warrick.dent@hkrugby.com

Ms Judy Ngao
Communications Manager
Hong Kong Rugby Football Union
Tel +852-2504-8309
Mob +852-6220-0227
Email: judy.ngao@hkrugby.com

Brian Finn
Communications Manager
New Zealand Rugby Union
Tel: 04 494 0765
Mob: 027 229 5380
Email: brian.finn@nzrugby.co.nz

Peter Jenkins
Head of Media & Communications
Australian Rugby Union
Tel: +61 2 8005 5620
Mob: +61 417 232 698
Email: peter.jenkins@rugby.com.au