Wilson
Tim Horan (67)
NSW Government commits $10 million to Men’s Rugby World Cup Legacy Program:
RWC 2027 Australia
- Thread starter liquor box
- Start date
Adam84
Tim Horan (67)
did you click on the link?
Red Runner
Ted Fahey (11)
Activate doesn’t appear at all. Activation does twice.
WorkingClassRugger
Michael Lynagh (62)
USA have qualified fof 2027 beating Samoa 29-13 in Denver.
The Ghost of Raelene
John Eales (66)
I know WR (World Rugby) want the US somewhat stable before hosting a WC but would they ever give such investment to the PI? I know at WCs they have players come back in but if neglected for pilfering RL is going to own Samoa and Tonga by 2030.
Red Runner
Ted Fahey (11)
World Rugby invest quite a bit into PI already.
You've also got to factor a ROI
You've also got to factor a ROI
The Ghost of Raelene
John Eales (66)
Is the US going to have ROI? I doubt it.
The WC will sell regardless of their competitiveness which is at best 1 win.
PI nations have gone from being in the QFs or at least competing for it to making up the numbers now.
The WC will sell regardless of their competitiveness which is at best 1 win.
PI nations have gone from being in the QFs or at least competing for it to making up the numbers now.
Wilson
Tim Horan (67)
Fiji have also built up to the point where they are now a tier 1 nation, and are on the verge of rugby championship inclusion. That investment hasn't been in isolation with Japan going through significant growth in the same period and Samoa and Tonga getting good investment but with more challenges to getting a foot hold at the top.
That's more or less how world rugby seem to be looking at the US right now - what Japan was in the Pacific they are in the Americas. If they can get the commercial base built on the US it'll become that much easier to lift up Canada, Uruguay and Chile around them, particularly with Argentina already there as well.
The other aspect to all this is the women's game - the US is absolutely central to it's growth and future as a fully professional sport. There really isn't any other country with the the same potential for both men's and women's rugby, and the next best is Canada, which stands to benefit from investment in the US anyway.
Strewthcobber
Nick Farr-Jones (63)
At least according to the reports, World Rugby aren't investing into the USA Men's team to make their men's team more competitive, but instead to rugby in the USA to drive interest in getting ticket sales for their tournament. There are forecasts of $1b in ticket sales for the USA World Cup.
The reports seem to indicate that a lot of the money will be spent to attract other teams (eg NZ and Ireland) to play more games in the USA
Omar Comin'
Peter Fenwicke (45)
In the long run, if all were run and equally well, you'd probably expect the US, Canada, Japan and most of the European and South American tier 2 nations to be ahead of Tonga and Samoa more often than not. And all have higher potential ROI. Samoa and Tonga are important rugby nations and should always be supported - but they are tiny countries. I think they'll continue to have their occasional high spots at world cups though. They benefit the most from players now being able to switch nations, they just don't get enough opportunities to access these players in meaningful games (or games that generate enough revenue to be able to pay them). Not sure how you solve this problem - though maybe if the nations championship really takes off it could help.
The Ghost of Raelene
John Eales (66)
Feel like we’ve heard the US chat for 30 years and yet to see any improvement. Canada has gone backwards as well.in 20 years we’ll be still saying it.
The South Americans have improved but I’d say ride the wave or Argentina becoming a consistent Tier 1 nation.
The South Americans have improved but I’d say ride the wave or Argentina becoming a consistent Tier 1 nation.
Sword of Justice
Dick Tooth (41)
Yeah the US will never give enough of a fuck to have a good team to be honest. Anyone good will be playing 7s or try and make it with the country they undoubtedly have a connection to.
Will they care enough to sell tickets for WR (World Rugby)? I think that’s a 50/50 and no doubt the primary consideration.
Will they care enough to sell tickets for WR (World Rugby)? I think that’s a 50/50 and no doubt the primary consideration.
Omar Comin'
Peter Fenwicke (45)
We'll see, but I don't think rugby is the biggest mountain to climb in the landscape of international sport. The main barrier is how closed the sport is at the top. Ireland have been one of the best teams in the world for the last decade despite a small population and player pool (and the relative dominance of soccer and GAA). It's also a sport where it's possible to become elite (in at least some positions) even if you start at a later age, which isn't true of soccer for example.
The Ghost of Raelene
John Eales (66)
In the skill positions like 2,9,10 you can’t, and without them you can’t be a top tier nation. Ireland have always had enough talent being one of the main sports to have a good top side.
With some astute recruitment to go along with what is probably their best generation it’s lead to where they are now.
Rugby in the US is at best a 8-10th sport option. Gridiron, basketball, baseball, Hockey, lacrosse, Track & Field, Soccer are all major NCAA sports. Rugby is real niche
Highlander35
Steve Williams (59)
In more general news, that leaves two slots for six teams right?
Samoa and Chile play off for one, the loser joins Namibia, Belgium and the winner of the Paraguay/Brazil playoff
Exciting that we're so close to pool draw.
Samoa and Chile play off for one, the loser joins Namibia, Belgium and the winner of the Paraguay/Brazil playoff
Exciting that we're so close to pool draw.
Omar Comin'
Peter Fenwicke (45)
That's true but the US is so big that there's still more rugby players there than there is in Ireland. Basically they already have enough to be a good team (and develop players in the high skill positions) even with the sport being super niche. The main difference is the level of play that the best young Irish players are exposed to, and the program's they're developed in compared to the best American players. That's still a significant barrier to overcome, but it's more of a money problem than anything else.
Omar Comin'
Peter Fenwicke (45)
Yep, wouldn't surprise me if Samoa lose to Chile in the next 2 weeks, but then have a significantly strengthened team for the final qualifying tournament (with European based pros) and win it easily.
If Samoa beat Chile, then I think the final spot is harder to predict, with Namibia, Belgium and Chile all with a decent shot at it.