Saders & Sarries break new ground

New Zealand's Crusaders and English Premiership club Saracens will break new ground when they meet in a historic match in New Orleans on August 1.

The fixture, for the Hemispheres Cup, is designed to capitalise on growing interest in the game in the United States.

The Crusaders, seven-time Super Rugby champions, said they will field their development side for the one-off fixture at the 70,000 capacity SuperDome.

Crusaders Chief Executive Hamish Riach said the match was a rare north-south club clash.

"Saracens and the Crusaders are two teams from opposite ends of the globe, but with similarly proud histories," he said.

"It is not often that non-international teams from the Southern and Northern Hemispheres have the chance to pit themselves against each other."

Authorities in the United States are keen to raise the game's profile, particularly with the sevens format making its Olympic debut at the Rio Games next year.

The All Blacks played a Test against the United States last year at a sold-out Soldier Field in Chicago, and Australia's Wallabies will face the Eagles at the same venue on September 5.

"This is an exciting opportunity for us, firstly to play in an amazing international venue like the SuperDome in New Orleans, and secondly to play a team like Saracens who we would never usually get the opportunity to play," Riach said.

"I have no doubt that this will be an incredible spectacle and a historic occasion."

Mark McCall, Director of Rugby of Saracens, added: "It's a privilege to be able to play against one of the best teams in the world in a fantastic city and to be able to give the people of New Orleans a chance to experience professional rugby.

"The City of New Orleans is famed for its welcome, vibrancy, history and culture and we are looking forward to being part of what will be a very special occasion.

"The SuperDome is recognized all over the world and our players are already excited about playing at the home of the New Orleans Saints and in front of a City that loves its sport.

"The Crusaders are one of the most successful sides in world rugby and as we very rarely get the chance to face teams from the Southern Hemisphere.  We can't wait to test ourselves in what will be a very hard-fought contest."

The timing of the match, in between the Super Rugby and NPC seasons, means that a Crusaders Knights team made up of those players assembled in Christchurch at that time will travel to New Orleans.

"This will be an amazing opportunity for some of our local players to be involved in such a unique event," Riach said.

"There is a real appetite for rugby in the United States at the moment, so I am sure that the game will be well supported.

"We are proud to be a part of this showcase event, especially playing a club as historically significant as Saracens."

@rugby365com