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
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
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
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