WWI to be remembered in Chicago

Rugby players from NZ and the US will lay wreaths for the fallen in WWI ahead of a Test between the two countries.

Before they play this weekend, the New Zealand and US rugby union teams will lay wreaths to honour those who lost their lives in World War I, including former players from both sides.

The All Blacks play a Test against the Eagles at Soldier Field in Chicago on Sunday morning Australian time, with a wreath-laying ceremony to be held at Soldier Field ahead of the game.

Players Malakai Fekitoa, Owen Franks, Ben Smith and Conrad Smith, as well as New Zealand rugby officials, are expected to attend.

They will be joined by former All Blacks Frano Botica, Frank Bunce, Christian Cullen, Charles Riechelmann, Eric Rush and Terry Wright and officials.

US rugby captain Frank Gard and All Blacks Albert Downing and Henry Dewer, who played in the 1913 contest between the two teams, were among those who lost their lives in the war.

Soldier Field serves as a memorial to American soldiers who died in wars and was opened in 1924.

Thousands of people are attending events in the West Australian town of Albany this weekend to commemorate the centenary of the first Anzac departure.

On November 1, 1914, 30,000 Australian and New Zealand soldiers left Albany Port on a convoy of ships for training in Egypt ahead of the Gallipoli landings the following year.


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