New Zealand rugby team takes over Chicago ahead of Gallagher Cup

CHICAGO (WGN) – At Pioneer Court in downtown Chicago, a rugby-style takeover was in full effect.

A week ahead of their game against Ireland at Soldier Field, the New Zealand All Blacks did some good will warm-ups ahead of the first ever Gallagher Cup.

“It’s amazing. It’s so great to have the teams out here, the players out here, the community. We’re extremely proud,” Chris Mead of Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. said.

The last time the team was in Chicago was nine years ago. At the time, it was the team’s first loss ever to Ireland.

They’re hoping to change their fortune this year as much as their fan base here has grown.

“This is once in a lifetime, genuinely,” rugby fan Rhys Jordan said.

Jordan and his teammates, the O’Kelly brothers from New Trier, were in Chicago to welcome the players and the sport to the Windy City.

They were barely out of kindergarten the last time the team was here.

“I have so much fun. These boys got me into rugby and I’m just so thankful every day for that and the community around it, everything just makes this sport so beautiful,” Jordan said.

Fans received autographs, took pictures and received some pointers on rugby, along with a sign of New Zealand culture.

“For us, it’s a traditional ceremonial war dance that the team has used to unify, prepare for battle and ultimately go out there and prepare us for the game,” New Zealand All Blacks forward Scott Barrett said.

For now, as the team warms up in the Chicago fall chill, they’ll be touring around getting all the city has to offer.

“I think there’s an NBA game here on Monday night. I figure a lot of the boys will be keen on going to that, so we’ll have a look at that; just to have a look around the city, there’s a lot of history here, explore and have some fun,” New Zealand All Blacks forward Wallace Sititi said.

For the fans, this is a chance to see the players and look for the sport’s footprint to grow in the states before the Rugby World Cup comes here in 2031.

“This is amazing. We’ve lived here for 12 years. I’ve coached rugby. My son plays rugby…there are so many people here. I don’t know how much people know the game of rugby, but seeing them here and getting them excited is super cool,” rugby fan Nick Evans said.