History was made on a sunny Friday, July 19, 2024, at Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego, California. Two iconic rugby teams, the New Zealand All Blacks and the Flying Fijians, faced off before a record-breaking crowd of over 33,000—a landmark attendance for rugby in San Diego. The energy of the crowd rivaled that of a college or NFL football game. It was thrilling to see such passion for rugby in the States, with fans cheering and supporting their teams throughout. The atmosphere buzzed with excitement, featuring electrifying action, waving flags, delicious food aromas, and chants that echoed through the stadium. Ardie Savea led the haka for the first time, leaving the crowd in awe, as they felt the mana and raw emotion emanating from the performance. The Fijian cibi followed, mesmerizing the audience to the point where some watched in silent reverence while others cheered with joy. It was an unforgettable experience that gave everyone chills—one of those rare moments where you truly had to be there to fully appreciate the atmosphere and emotion.
“We want to thank the rugby community here. We really felt the support and there are fans from all over the place coming to watch and we really felt that love.”
-ALL BLACKS CAPTAIN, SCOTT BARRETT
In their first rugby match in San Diego in 44 years, the All Blacks secured a decisive 47-5 victory over Fiji. Despite a valiant effort from the Fijians, New Zealand took control by halftime with a 26-5 lead. They added 21 more points in the second half, extending their winning streak to eight consecutive test matches against Fiji. Fiji’s sole try was a standout moment, with Semi Radradra’s kick ahead finding Vilimoni Botitu, who crossed the line beautifully.
Noteworthy debuts included George Bell and Billy Proctor, who both scored for the All Blacks. All Blacks captain Scott Barrett expressed his gratitude, saying,“We want to thank the rugby community here. We really felt the support and there are fans from all over the place coming to watch and we really felt that love.” Sam Darry also praised the atmosphere, noting, “The fans made it a really cool atmosphere and game.”
A special shoutout goes to All Blacks wing Caleb Clarke, who amazed everyone post-game by staying to take pictures with nearly every fan. His dedication to the crowd was heartwarming to see, as he smiled, interacted, laughed, and took selfies with fans until it was time for the press conference. We had the pleasure of attending the press conference, where Clarke was present alongside teammates Billy Proctor and Sam Darry. While the earlier questions focused on their performance, we decided to lighten the mood and asked what their go-to hype New Zealand song is. The boys lit up with smiles, with Sam Darry mentioning Zach Bryan, an American artist they love, while Caleb Clarke and Billy Proctor chose Six60, sharing that anything played by the New Zealand-based band gets them pumped. We also asked what they liked about America that isn’t in New Zealand, and they mentioned the food, especially the tacos in SoCal. Lastly, we asked if they had a message to share with their American fans, and Sam Darry said, “A massive thanks to everyone who came out tonight. The fans made it a very cool atmosphere.”
This match was part of a broader initiative by New Zealand and World Rugby to increase rugby’s profile in the U.S. ahead of the 2031 men’s and 2033 women’s World Cups, which will be hosted in America. The All Blacks might return to the U.S. in 2025 for a match against Ireland in Chicago, where Soldier Field—the venue of Ireland’s historic win over the All Blacks in 2016—could host the fixture once more.
Kudos to both teams for an unforgettable game and for contributing to the growth of rugby in the USA. We eagerly anticipate more rugby events in America and continue to support the sport that plays a significant role in our Pacific community and beyond. Congratulations to the All Blacks on their impressive victory in sunny San Diego!
