RWC 2011: United States

[big ginger 8]

Remember, 7 in South Africa and France is different to everywhere else. That's why you would have seen him play 7, because that's blindside.

I know that and I know he played for the Lions but I was talking about the Churchill Cup playing fo the U.S.

 

[Melhor Time]

It was quite a while ago that this was planned, but financial support hasn't come through so it has been pushed back. The idea is to get a league going with existing clubs, specifically from the Super League. None of those teams can afford to play in a professional league at this time. However, with a good showing and solid viewership during the 2011 RWC perhaps it will give sponsors more confidence to invest in USA Rugby and a professional league.

The problem with the USA is the Super League and the National Division 1. Many say that the Division One is better. There are two different competitions... The costs of Super League are high for the clubs so many have opted to player in the other comp. USA Rugby wants to replace both with a professional competition and I think they will succeed. They need tv more than anything else and they are getting it now. The crowds are okay for now and are only gong to get better. I am interested in the format that would be used in a professional USA League. My guess is an eastern and western conference combining some teams. Some are obvious like the Chicago Lions and the Chicago Griffins. I´d not move the east-west divide across so that Texas is a part of the east and have 12 teams split into these zones just like in the NBA.

West - San Francisco, Los Angeles (inc Belmont Shore, etc), Las Vegas, Denver, Salt Lake City (Sandy), Seattle (Old Puget)

East - Chicago, New York, Atlanta (Life University), Boston, Dallas, Carolinas

Canada could be on board with the same four teams from the Canadian Rugby Championship involved.

Many already have good stadiums. Denver and Salt Lake City for instance.

 

[M Two One]

The problem with the USA is the Super League and the National Division 1. Many say that the Division One is better. There are two different competitions... The costs of Super League are high for the clubs so many have opted to player in the other comp. USA Rugby wants to replace both with a professional competition and I think they will succeed. They need tv more than anything else and they are getting it now. The crowds are okay for now and are only gong to get better. I am interested in the format that would be used in a professional USA League. My guess is an eastern and western conference combining some teams. Some are obvious like the Chicago Lions and the Chicago Griffins. I´d not move the east-west divide across so that Texas is a part of the east and have 12 teams split into these zones just like in the NBA.

West - San Francisco, Los Angeles (inc Belmont Shore, etc), Las Vegas, Denver, Salt Lake City (Sandy), Seattle (Old Puget)

East - Chicago, New York, Atlanta (Life University), Boston, Dallas, Carolinas

Canada could be on board with the same four teams from the Canadian Rugby Championship involved.

Many already have good stadiums. Denver and Salt Lake City for instance.

Melhor, unfortunately there is no further discussion about a professional league until after the 2011 RWC. USA Rugby wants to keep an eye on ratings from NBC network. Solid sponsorship is also needed to continue and even then most of the clubs can't afford to turn pro at the moment. Club competition actually receives little to no television airtime. Teams like Boston and the Griffins for example only play in city parks because they do not have enough support. Keep in mind that these two are major clubs in the country. It was already discussed with both the Lions and Griffins in Chicago that a professional league would be possible by 2015 at the earliest. As much as I'd love a pro league here, it just isn't smart financially to look at putting one together right now.

Most Americans that watch this sport are still only adjusting to the national competitions, which receives decent airtime nationally on Universal Sports. Hopefully the Eagles perform well at the RWC as it would help speed things up. It would have been great for the sport if the NFL lost a season because it would have prompted NBC to air all of the RWC matches on NBC5. This would have reached at least 10x more of an audience.

Also, only three clubs have good stadiums and two of those rent. Salt Lake City just signed their contract to share use of Rio Tinto Stadium last season. Since the club was only created last year as well, they're still waiting to see if this venture will be worth pouring in more money to turn professional. The Barbarians on the other hand would probably be one of the few current clubs to make the transition well.

 

[nickdnz]

I know that and I know he played for the Lions but I was talking about the Churchill Cup playing fo the U.S.

Ahh, can't explain that. CC is also (and proabably better known) initials for the Currie Cup, so I presumed you were talking Clever's time with the Golden Lions.

 

[M Two One]

I just found out that Basauri has left L'Aquila to return to France. He just signed a contract with newly promoted side Périgueux in Pro D2. I think this is a good career move. Louis Stanfill is rumored to be leaving Mogliano to play in either France or England.

 

[M Two One]

Looking at the 30-man squad for the world cup, it is unfortunate to see Zachary Test left out. I'm also guessing that all three preliminary squad hookers were selected since none of them stand out. We'll probably end up seeing a rotation where if one doesn't perform well then another will be thrown in without thinking twice. I admire the prop selection with a mix of young and old. I also like the selection of Blaine Scully as he's young and worked hard for his spot over the past month.