Fans gather for an International Test Match between the United States of America Eagles and the New Zealand All Blacks at Soldier Field on November 1, 2014 in Chicago, Illinois.
(October 31, 2014 - Source: Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images North America)
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New Zealand Rugby President Ian MacRae speaks in front of the Soldier Field Memorial before the International Test Match between the United States of America and the New Zealand All Blacks at Soldier Field on November 1, 2014 in Chicago, Illinois.
(October 31, 2014 - Source: Phil Walter/Getty Images North America)
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Conrad Smith of the All Blacks (C) lays a wreath in front of the Soldier Field Memorial before the International Test Match between the United States of America and the New Zealand All Blacks at Soldier Field on November 1, 2014 in Chicago, Illinois.
(October 31, 2014 - Source: Phil Walter/Getty Images North America)
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New Zealand and USA rugby representatives pose after laying a wreath in front of the Soldier Field Memorial before the International Test Match between the United States of America and the New Zealand All Blacks at Soldier Field on November 1, 2014 in Chicago, Illinois.
(October 31, 2014 - Source: Phil Walter/Getty Images North America)
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A general view of Soldier Field as the United States of America Eagles take on the New Zealand All Blacks during an International Test Match on November 1, 2014 in Chicago, Illinois.
(October 31, 2014 - Source: Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images North America)
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Members of the New Zealand All Blacks perform a traditional haka before taking on the United States of America Eagles during an International Test Match at Soldier Field on November 1, 2014 in Chicago, Illinois.
(October 31, 2014 - Source: Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images North America)
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The All Blacks perform the haka before the International Test Match between the United States of America and the New Zealand All Blacks at Soldier Field on November 1, 2014 in Chicago, Illinois.
(October 31, 2014 - Source: Phil Walter/Getty Images North America)
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All Blacks put 70 points on USA
Inevitably the event mattered more than the scoreline as New Zealand dispatched the USA with a 74-6 win in Chicago at Soldier Field.
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Ryan Crotty of the All Blacks is tackled during the International Test Match between the United States of America and the New Zealand All Blacks at Soldier Field on November 1, 2014 in Chicago, Illinois.
(October 31, 2014 - Source: Phil Walter/Getty Images North America)
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Hayden Smith #5 (L) and Samu Manoa #4 tackle Jeremy Thrush #4 of the United States of America Eagles of the New Zealand All Blacks during an International Test Match at Soldier Field on November 1, 2014 in Chicago, Illinois. The All Blacks defeated the Eagles 74-6.
(October 31, 2014 - Source: Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images North America)
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Taking the sport to the United States is a necessity for the future of rugby and there's no doubt with national TV coverage, strides will have been made with regards towards the development of the game in a country that truly loves its sport. Denying that is foolish.
With the greatest respect to the USA though, the outcome of this one was already known before kickoff. In the end the All Blacks finished with 12 tries.
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Daniel Carter #22 of the New Zealand All Blacks passes as he is hit by Louis Stanfill #20 of the United States of America Eagles during an International Test Match at Soldier Field on November 1, 2014 in Chicago, Illinois. The All Blacks defeated the Eagles 74-6.
(October 31, 2014 - Source: Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images North America)
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Daniel Carter #22 of the New Zealand All Blacks passes as he is hit by Louis Stanfill #20 of the United States of America Eagles during an International Test Match at Soldier Field on November 1, 2014 in Chicago, Illinois. The All Blacks defeated the Eagles 74-6.
(October 31, 2014 - Source: Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images North America)
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Charlie Faumuina of the All Blacks is tackled during the International Test Match between the United States of America and the New Zealand All Blacks at Soldier Field on November 1, 2014 in Chicago, Illinois.
(October 31, 2014 - Source: Phil Walter/Getty Images North America)
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Man of the Match: Showing touches of class throughout, Kieran Read was exceptional in the absence of Richie McCaw.
Moment of the Match: Rather than any of the action, the pre-match build-up was truly special as both teams were given a rousing reception.
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Folau Niua #22 of the United States of America Eagles is grabbed by Jeremy Thrush #4 of the New Zealand All Blacks as Scott Lavalla #7 grabs Thrush during an International Test Match at Soldier Field on November 1, 2014 in Chicago, Illinois.
(October 31, 2014 - Source: Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images North America)
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Scott Lavalla #7 of the United States of America Eagles is tackled by Aaron Cruden #10 of the New Zealand All Blacks during an International Test Match at Soldier Field on November 1, 2014 in Chicago, Illinois.
(October 31, 2014 - Source: Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images North America)
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All Blacks: How the US media reacted
The US media's reaction to the All Blacks' 74-6 win over the USA Eagles in Chicago this morning has been muted. In fact, it was hard to find much comment on the game at all. Here's what we managed to unearth a couple of hours after the final whistle.
All Blacks enlighten US Rugby
Rugby posts on Soldier Field was a strange sight. Whenever a sport is showcased in a foreign environment, grounding with the familiar is sought. The All Blacks were compared to the dominant US basketball team in the run up to Saturday's match in Chicago. Two months ago New Zealand met the USA in Bilbao in the Basketball World Cup. The Kiwis mustered 71 points; the All Blacks went three better than their basketball counterparts on Saturday as they hit 74 against the Eagles in front of a soldout 61,500 crowd.
ESPN Scrum.com
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Sonny Bill Williams of the All Blacks is tackled during the International Test Match between the United States of America and the New Zealand All Blacks at Soldier Field on November 1, 2014 in Chicago, Illinois.
(October 31, 2014 - Source: Phil Walter/Getty Images North America)
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All Blacks 74, USA 6
New Zealand's All Blacks made their USA rivals mostly blue on Saturday, turning what was billed as a rugby exhibition into a clinic on their way to a 74-6 win ... Playing with only a handful of regulars in the starting lineup, the defending World Cup champions went ahead three minutes in on a try up the left sideline by Nathan Harris.
The Golden Eagles countered with their best sustained ball possession of the entire match, repeatedly testing the center of the All-Blacks' defense before settling for a penalty goal from Adam Siddall to close to 5-3. That was the last moment the match was competitive.
Arizona Daily Star
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Jeremy Thrush #4 of the New Zealand All Blacks advances the ball out of a scrum against the United States of America Eagles during an International Test Match at Soldier Field on November 1, 2014 in Chicago, Illinois. The All Blacks defeated the Eagles 74-6.
(October 31, 2014 - Source: Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images North America)
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All Blacks rout US rugby team at sold-out Soldier Field
The New Zealand All Blacks showed why they're the world's most famous rugby team. In front of a capacity crowd at Soldier Field, the All Blacks beat the USA Eagles 74-6. Even without many of their best players, the All Blacks dominated the Eagles from the start of the match ... The All Blacks were playing in the United States for the first time in 34 years and they lived up to their reputation. They led 43-6 at halftime and possessed the ball for most of the game.
Brian Sandalow, Chicago Sun Times
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Liam Messam of the All Blacks is tackled during the International Test Match between the United States of America and the New Zealand All Blacks at Soldier Field on November 1, 2014 in Chicago, Illinois.
(October 31, 2014 - Source: Phil Walter/Getty Images North America)
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Rugby fans cheer on US team in game against New Zealand
As thousands cheered at Soldier Field, and a variety of revelers roamed downtown in their Halloween costumes Saturday, a small group of loyal rugby fans gathered at a River North bar to watch the U.S. play New Zealand's top ranked team ... "It's a great game. And I think it's a little more exciting than football," said Chris Curran, 52, of Lincoln Park ... "New Zealand is the No. 1 team. This is the Super Bowl champions going overseas," Chris Curran said. "It's very big."
Tina Sfondeles, Chicago Sun-Times
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Sonny Bill Williams of the All Blacks is tackled during the International Test Match between the United States of America and the New Zealand All Blacks at Soldier Field on November 1, 2014 in Chicago, Illinois.
(October 31, 2014 - Source: Phil Walter/Getty Images North America)
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Dan Carter of the All Blacks on the attack during the International Test Match between the United States of America and the New Zealand All Blacks at Soldier Field on November 1, 2014 in Chicago, Illinois.
(October 31, 2014 - Source: Phil Walter/Getty Images North America)
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Louis Stanfill #20 of the United States of America Eagles (L) collides with Keven Mealamu #16 of the New Zealand All Blacks during an International Test Match at Soldier Field on November 1, 2014 in Chicago, Illinois. The All Blacks defeated the Eagles 74-6.
(October 31, 2014 - Source: Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images North America)
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next test match:
Nov 8
England v New Zealand
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