NFL Set To Play Two Exhibition Games In New Zealand, Kiwi Paper Reports

New Zealand "is set to get its first taste of the NFL early next year, with former rugby league superstar Jarryd Hayne touted as one of the headline acts," according to Clay Wilson of the SUNDAY STAR TIMES. Confirmation "is expected this week of two NFL matches to be played in New Zealand" -- one at Eden Park in Auckland and the other at Wellington Regional Stadium. The double-header "will be confirmed at a media conference at Eden Park on Wednesday morning," which will be attended by the U.S. ambassador to New Zealand, Mark Gilbert. Int'l event management company Douglas Webber Events is "behind the venture, and high-profile NFL player agent Jarin Giesler, who is the president and CEO of Giesler Sports World-Wide, will also be at the event." The "ground-breaking" concept, which has been "nearly four years in the making and is likely to be called the Southern Bowl," will involve an number of NFL franchise -- including the Dallas Cowboys, San Francisco 49ers and Arizona Cardinals (SUNDAY STAR TIMES, 5/31).