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All Blacks to tackle Munster
28/04/2008 11:26 - (SA)
Wellington - The All Blacks will play Irish side Munster on their end of season grand slam tour in November, the New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) said on Monday.
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 Nov. 18.
The NZRU, who announced a NZ$1.7m loss last week,
are seeking new ways to generate revenue in an effort to stymie
player drain to rich European clubs.
They have scheduled a Bledisloe Cup test against Australia
for Nov. 1 in Hong Kong before tests against Scotland, Ireland,
Wales and England.
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Rugby
