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It was seen as a major coup when USA Eagles rugby managed to get New Zealand over to Chicago for a Test match at Solider Field.

The match on Saturday is a 61,500-seat sellout, so there is certainly plenty of interest in seeing the world champions, not that you would know that from the U.S. media though.

According to Stuff.co.nz's Duncan Johnstone:

The world's most successful rugby team has not proven newsworthy in Chicago with none of the city's main media outlets featuring them today, less than six days out from their game against the US Eagles. Just three local journalists reportedly turned up to the team's first media opportunity.

As the report notes, it is a particularly busy point in the U.S. sports season.

The MLB World Series is ongoing, the NFL season is in full swing and the NBA basketball season also tips off this week.

However, it still represents something of a snub for one of the world's most iconic sports teams, although given the attention they get in other parts of the world, the anonymity might be a welcome relief.

[Stuff.co.nz]