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There are plans for the USA to face New Zealand in October 2021. Writing for the New Zealand Herald, Liam Napier notes that the match is being positioned to be played on Saturday October 23, 2011. The new home of NFL franchise, the Las Vegas Raiders is positioned as the prospective host venue. The Allegiant Stadium seats 70,000 spectators.
The match would be the second time wherein the USA Eagles take on the New Zealand All Blacks at an NFL venue. The All Blacks were 74-6 winners at Chicago’s Soldier Field in 2014. Soldier Field also hosted the USA vs Australia in 2015; Ireland vs New Zealand in 2016; and the USA vs Maori All Blacks in 2018.
Before the 2021 match can be confirmed, the parties are awaiting confirmation of the 2021 NFL match schedule. The proposed date for the match is one week prior to New Zealand’s second game of their November Internationals tour; a match against Wales in Cardiff on Saturday, October 30. The tour will continue with three additional matches seeing the All Blacks playing tests away against France, Italy, and Ireland.
New Zealand’s official match schedule is forthcoming. It will include six matches in the Rugby Championship and a home match against Fiji. Italy’s tour in July is expected to be called-off. This is likely to see a second match added between New Zealand and Fiji.
The identity of the team itself may also take on a new form. There is a consideration to have it as the next of XV. That team may replicate what is now common place in South America with the Argentina XV, Uruguay XV, Chile XV, and Brazil XV. The Herald notes that the USA may be playing against the All Blacks XV on October 23, 2021.
