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NZ and Aus clash in Hong Kong
26/01/2008 16:31 - (SA)
Hong Kong - Australia and New Zealand's rugby union teams are set to play each other in a historic one-off test in Hong Kong, the first on neutral turf outside a World Cup, a report said here on Saturday.
The match has been slated for October following approval from the International Rugby Board (IRB), the sport's governing body, Hong Kong's South China Morning Post said.
Details of the test will be hammered out by officials from the countries' rugby unions when they pay a three-day visit to the city on Sunday, the daily added.
"We have got approval from the IRB, who have no objection to Australia and New Zealand playing here," Hong Kong Rugby Football Union (HKRFU) executive director Allan Payne told the paper. "This is a huge step forward.
"There is a lot of support for the match and we are closer to signing a deal."
The officials will visit Hong Kong Stadium, the proposed venue, and discuss issues including television rights and how revenue will be shared between the Australian, New Zealand and Hong Kong rugby unions, the paper said.
"This is the first time that such a game will be taking place and there is a lot of planning to do and a lot to talk about," said Payne, according to the paper.
The teams will be on a stopover in Hong Kong as they make their way to Europe for a series of matches following the Tri-Nations series with South Africa.
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Rugby
