USA and Canadian Rugby

[p.Tah]

North American rugby articles use to be posted in the 'rugby news from unexpected places', however the growing interest in the game means that news is no longer unexpected. It deserves a tread of its own.

In November the AIG NZ Maori are touring North American. It will be televised on Fox Sports 1 (USA) which is big deal. Highlights the importance of the AIG sponsorship that the tour is happening and a decent broadcaster has picked it up.

For those clamoring for more rugby on television, your wish has been granted.

USA Rugby has announced a broadcasting partnership with FOX Sports for the upcoming men’s Eagles match against the New Zealand Maori All Blacks Nov. 9 at PPL Park in Philadelphia.

The inaugural Black and Blue Match, presented by USA Rugby and New Zealand Rugby Union sponsor AIG, will kick off at 4 p.m. PST Nov. 9, with the broadcast to be aired on FOX Sports 1 Nov. 10 at 9 a.m.

“USA Rugby is very excited about FOX Sports 1 airing the match from Philadelphia,” USA Rugby Chief Commercial Officer Jon Persch said. “FOX Sports 1 offers USA Rugby the greatest number of viewers with the new channel being offered in 90 million homes."

FOX Sports 1 is the newest national 24-hour multi-sport channel, launched Aug. 17 in more than 90 million homes across the U.S., the largest sports network launch in television history. With nearly 5,000 hours of live events, news and original programming annually, FOX Sports includes college football and basketball, MLB, NASCAR, NFL, soccer, boxing and UFC.

http://www.latimes.com/sports/sport...ports1-20131001,0,2245618.story#axzz2gVExBJ9B

 

[Hugh Jarse]

While Tier 1 teams regularly playing the likes of USA and Canada would result in horrendous mismatches which would do little to grow the game in the Tier 2 countries, there is huge scope for second teams, niche teams or development teams from Tier 1 countries playing more regular fixtures (either home or away) against USA and Canada.

Great opportunity to develop players on the way up, without risking them at Test Level, and also a way to reward some battlers who are just below Test level but good servants of the game, or former Test Players on the way out.

ARU should be looking to use Aust A, Aust Barbarians, Aust U20, Aust Academy, Aust Country etc teams in this capacity.

 

[Jets]

I seem to recall some Emerging Wallabies tours in the early 90's. Doing something like that to USA and Canada would be great for all involved.

 

[WorkingClassRugger]

The group behind the Grand Prix 7s event that was planned and then cancelled in June are back making outlandish statements. First the event that was supposed to occur this year will instead apparently happen next year with the same $1m prize pool. To add to that they are also stating they will launch the Grand Prix Rugby Football League. A "league of Barbarians" with up to 16 locations in the next 12 months.

This alongside the World Arena Rugby concept looking to use 7s as their platform.

 

[SouthernX]

University of California (Berkeley) is the most successful Rugby program over States Side.

Their head Coach Jack Clark i believe could step into any rugby program & turn it around in no time. He has led his team to championships something like 26 of 32 attempts in the college rugby.

 

[p.Tah]

Canada vs. NZ Maori this Sunday 3rd Nov in Toronto. 20,000 tickets sold, only 700 available.

 

[WorkingClassRugger]

Canada vs. NZ Maori this Sunday 3rd Nov in Toronto. 20,000 tickets sold, only 700 available.

The Eagles vs Moari game is effectively sold out as well. Only 300 tickets were left a few days. Both Unions are beginning to be able to sell Tests more and more regularly.

 

[Hugh Jarse]

This is a good sign.

We need to get in on the act and sent the Aussie Swagmen/Aust A/Aust Barbars across as well, if someone is going to pick up the transport and accommodation tab.

 

[WorkingClassRugger]

This is a good sign.

We need to get in on the act and sent the Aussie Swagmen/Aust A/Aust Barbars across as well, if someone is going to pick up the transport and accommodation tab.

AIG are trying to organise the AB's to play a game there next year. More than likely on the West Coast and hopefully against a NA All Stars team. Though I agree. We really shold look to make it a stop over on the way to Europe in the future or on our way back.

 

[emuarse]

What the ARU should do at the same time as the Wallaby Spring Tour next year is organize an Australia A squad to play Japan, Canada, and USA with possibly an extra game or two included in the itinery.
It would certainly be an incentive to players in Australia to have an international tour of this nature, and will help to strengthen those countries' rugby bases.

 

[Beer Baron]

Completely agree - but likelihood of this happening whilst the ARU is running the knife across excessive expenditure - low.

They need to make incentives for Super Rugby Teams to get players from USA/Canada etc into their wider squads - so that experience can be taken back.

You only improve so much playing against the same standard

 

[en_force_er]

We absolutely should be sending out an Oz A side at least once in a WC cycle (every 2nd or 3rd year) to the US and Canada.

We could send them on tour with the Wallaby coach and have the Wallaby assistant take over as a caretaker of the Spring Tour and bring an extra bloke or two with him. This way we could develop our next string in a Wallaby level culture (without having to give away cheap caps) with plenty of time to have them be involved with the WC, and we could help develop North American rugby.

Run it as a 2 week tour with a week of training here beforehand so it won't be too costly. Get a hotel and airline sponsor. Bob's your uncle.

 

[SevensPhD]

The USA is not interested in playing 'A' sides that often. The NZ Maori are a different type of team. USA has played full international tests (count as caps) against Italy(2012), Ireland(2013), and soon Scotland (2014) in the USA with good crowds. They stayed pretty close with Italy and Ireland, and yes those teams had weakened squads, but not 'A' squads...still quite a few caps.

The 'A' squad thing is fading away. Not much financial incentive for either side, and the 2nd tier nations do not get official caps or a chance of rankings improvement on the rare upset.

 

[yeahmate]

live stream for the canada game on the rib website, i think it'll be streaming at 9am monday morning
http://www.irb.com/live/video.html

 

[Jets]

live stream for the canada game on the rib website, i think it'll be streaming at 9am monday morning
http://www.irb.com/live/video.html

That will have an impact on work output.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[p.Tah]

NZ Maori beat Canada 40-15 in front of 22566. Largest rugby crowd in Canadian history.

 

[en_force_er]

NZ Maori beat Canada 40-15 in front of 22566. Largest rugby crowd in Canadian history.

You wouldn't be too disappointed with that scoreline if you were Canada.

 

[WorkingClassRugger]

You wouldn't be too disappointed with that scoreline if you were Canada.

Especially as they were missing most if not all of their foreign based professionals. Same for the Eagles next week.

 

[tigerland12]

Especially as they were missing most if not all of their foreign based professionals. Same for the Eagles next week.

Should be interesting to see how the Yanks go without Wyles, LaValla and Manoa.

 

[WorkingClassRugger]

Should be interesting to see how the Yanks go without Wyles, LaValla and Manoa.

Well, I'm hoping for a strong showing and an entertaining game. The Eagles will likely feel the absence of their European based players more than Canada. But if they can keep it to a similar scoreline to todays game and I'd consider that a victory. Especially when you consider the Moari will likely be the better for the hit out today in terms of combos etc.