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What To Watch For: England-New Zealand Rugby League International Game At Mile High

By Michael Spencer

DENVER (CBS) - On Saturday afternoon sports fans in Denver will have the opportunity to watch Rugby League Football at Broncos Stadium at Mile High.

England v New Zealand - Four Nations
HUDDERSFIELD, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 29: New Zealand's Tohu Harris is tackled by England's Michael Cooper and Sam Burgess (left) during the Four Nations match between the England and New Zealand Kiwis at Galpharm Stadium on October 29, 2016 in Huddersfield, United Kingdom. (Photo by Stephen White - CameraSport via Getty Images)

Saturday's game between New Zealand and England will be the first-ever international Test Match on US soil and will serve as a prelude to the 2025 Rugby League World Cup which will take place in Canada and the United States.

"We fervently believe American football fans are going to take to Rugby League because it's fast-paced, hard-hitting nonstop action that is easy for fans to follow," said John Paul Basile of Moore Sports International.

"As the professional code of the game since 1895, the original (Union) rules were adapted over time to make the game more exciting for fans."

So what can fans expect from Rugby League?

- 80 minute game consisting of two halves
- 13 players on the field per team
- Scoring possessions consisting of six downs
- Players playing both offense and defense
- No pads and no blocking with limited substitutions
- Closest style/code of rugby to the NFL

In addition to seeing a sport closely resembling American football, fans will be treated to a premier matchup as New Zealand and England are two of the top Rugby League squads in the world, ranking second and third, respectively. The two sides will be facing each other for the 17th time, with New Zealand leading the all-time series 9-6-1.

Prior to the game the New Zealand Kiwis (named after a New Zealand native bird) will perform a Maori cultural challenge known as the haka. Traditionally, the war haka was performed by warriors before a battle, proclaiming their strength and prowess in order to intimidate their opponents.

See some photos of the haka below:

Australia v New Zealand - ANZAC Test
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MAY 02: Kiwi players perform the Haka during the ANZAC Test match between the Australian Kangaroos and the New Zealand Kiwis at Allianz Stadium on May 2, 2014 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
RUGBYU-NZL-FRA
France (top) face New Zealand's players (bottom) as they perform the "haka" at the start of the second rugby Test match between New Zealand and France at Westpac Stadium in Wellington on June 16, 2018. (credit: MARTY MELVILLE/AFP/Getty Images)
2017 Rugby League World Cup - Quarter Final: New Zealand v Fiji
WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND - NOVEMBER 18: Kiwis players perform a haka during the 2017 Rugby League World Cup Quarter Final match between New Zealand and Fiji at Wellington Regional Stadium on November 18, 2017 in Wellington, New Zealand. (Photo by Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images)
Australia v New Zealand - Trans Tasman Test
NEWCASTLE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 06: Adam Blair of the Kiwis performs the Haka during the International Rugby League Trans Tasman Test match between the Australian Kangaroos and the New Zealand Kiwis at Hunter Stadium on May 6, 2016 in Newcastle, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

Saturday's game will also have a Broncos' flare to it as the Denver Broncos Cheerleaders and Stampede Drumline will perform, and Thunderstorm skydivers will deliver the game ball.

RELATED: English Rugby League Star Excited To Play In Same Stadium As Peyton Manning

Saturday's match is scheduled to start at 2 p.m. and tickets can be purchased by visiting ticketmaster.com.

Michael Spencer is a Sports Anchor at CBS4. Read his bio or connect with him on Twitter @MichaelCBS4.

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