Maori All Blacks North American Tour Confirmed

It's not like this was a huge secret seeing as it was known roughly two months ago, but the Maori All Blacks will be officially touring North America according to an official press release out of the New Zealand. The Maori All Blacks will first play Canada in Toronto on November 3rd before taking on the U.S. in Philadelphia on November 9th, likely at PPL Park.

The move comes as either the U.S. or Canada will be involved in a home and away series with Uruguay for a spot in the World Cup. That means that at least one of those teams needed another fixture during the international window, hence the Maori All Blacks tour. The other team will likely head to England for tour matches. Canada most recently played the Maori All Blacks last November, losing 32-19 in Oxford. 

In the press release Nigel Melville commented that: “It is our great pleasure to announce that the Maori All Blacks will be touring North America in November and playing an international fixture against the USA Eagles. The Maori All Blacks have a proud rugby tradition that makes them one of the most iconic rugby brands in the world of rugby. It is our goal to increase the quality of opponents for the Eagles and to expose our domestic fans to world-class international rugby events.”

Are you excited for the match? How do you think the U.S. will do?