Who do you think will be the new powers of world rugby in the coming decades?

[psychic duck]

Madagascar have the second highest attendances of nations outside Tier 1.

Their profile has been boosted by a win over Namibia and they even have got to appear in a Madagascan music video with their pre match wardance featuring ..

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/sOzB40mzR8s" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe>

They won't become a top rugby nation any time soon, but interest is there, and perhaps they could be an improvement on Namibia.

You'd be surprised. Quite a bit of South America, Continental Europe, Asia, the Middle East and Africa.

I feel your opinion on this matter may be losing objectivity. Your beginning to sound like some IRB propaganda guy from Total Rugby claiming that Rugby is getting big in (random country) and is growing a lot.

 

[admartian]

Madagascar have the second highest attendances of nations outside Tier 1.

Their profile has been boosted by a win over Namibia and they even have got to appear in a Madagascan music video with their pre match wardance featuring ..

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/sOzB40mzR8s" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe>

They won't become a top rugby nation any time soon, but interest is there, and perhaps they could be an improvement on Namibia.

**** Madagascar! If I've learnt anything from this thread its USA > everyone else in rugby/sport. :lol:

Of course we don't count for everyone in the world, but I don't think there's one school in northern Ireland (and maybe Ireland?) who actually have a proper school basketball team never mind a recreational one.

/Thread.


:lol:

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Of course we don't count for everyone in the world, but I don't think there's one school in northern Ireland (and maybe Ireland?) who actually have a proper school basketball team never mind a recreational one.

Wrong. My uncle played for his school and NI universities in Belfast.

(I didn't need to post this I just love being right )

 

[Draggs]

Seriously, back to the rugby.
Any further posts off topic and I'll just remove them.

 

[big ginger 8]

Of course we don't count for everyone in the world, but I don't think there's one school in northern Ireland (and maybe Ireland?) who actually have a proper school basketball team never mind a recreational one.

My school has one fairly **** though and barely anyone plays.

I'd like to agree with Peat because I can't help it.

Though there is some serious rugby is gradually losing it's posh image and if it keeps up we could get a lot of very good and skilled athletes from G.A.A.

 

[norcalbuff]

Grass roots (shcool) sports participation doesn't always guarantee or translate into much though. If that were the case the All Whites should be amongst it come FIFA WC time. lol

We have our fair share of Basketball schools and tournaments too - and haven't yielded much outside of NZ and AUS apart from the very mediocre Kirk Penney and Shawn Marks in their brief stints in the NBA.

Same with the States and rugby, and from what I hear, Brasil and rugby.

Youth rugby in the US is a very recent phenomenon. Check back in 10-15 years on that one.

 

[Draggs]

O/T posts removed.
Play nice and keep on topic, thanks!

 

[profitius]

Another country similar to Madagascar is Sri Lanka. Rugby is popular there too.

 

[Big Ewis]

Yeah you're right about Russia psychic duck was it ? Oh I couldn't tell you which russian in particular and yes I know Georgia is a lot better just right now, but they seemed so potential-laden I can't help but think there are real good things to come...and yeah, the forwards suck, no scrum etc...I know. But they'll get there if they want, they really have potential.

Georgia hasn't been there for decades ??...oh...my bad, I must've been thinking of Romania when typing...
I couldn't talk about Georgia, there's nothing that makes me think they can become a world power...but really nothing at all....anyone ?

And about the US. I think everybody agrees on here...come on, the guys just focus a little more that's it, they're right there with Italy and Scotland. BIG BIG potential, but just ZERO initiative and energy spent elsewhere in sports...

 

[Toko_11]

Yeah you're right about Russia psychic duck was it ? Oh I couldn't tell you which russian in particular and yes I know Georgia is a lot better just right now, but they seemed so potential-laden I can't help but think there are real good things to come...and yeah, the forwards suck, no scrum etc...I know. But they'll get there if they want, they really have potential.

Georgia hasn't been there for decades ??...oh...my bad, I must've been thinking of Romania when typing...
I couldn't talk about Georgia, there's nothing that makes me think they can become a world power...but really nothing at all....anyone ?

And about the US. I think everybody agrees on here...come on, the guys just focus a little more that's it, they're right there with Italy and Scotland. BIG BIG potential, but just ZERO initiative and energy spent elsewhere in sports...

You sir are a clueless troll

 

[Big Ewis]

Well yeah, um no not a troll. Clueless about Georgia and Russian rugby absolutely.
I'm just enthusiastic about what I saw in the RWC from Russia...you gotta love that they managed to score tries...sure Aus had backed off their guard and were somewhat caught by surprise but still...looks promising to me ! Clueless or carrot-juice...

So you're Georgian or American ? I'm guessing Georgian...anyways, about the US and A - I'm hoping everybody here agrees, right ? Channel their efforts on rugby a bit more somehow...(yeah but the NFL is never losing its power to rugby there though...), manage the team a bit better, they're really promising on the long run...

 

[TRF_heineken]

So you're Georgian or American ? I'm guessing Georgian...anyways, about the US and A - I'm hoping everybody here agrees, right ? Channel their efforts on rugby a bit more somehow...(yeah but the NFL is never losing its power to rugby there though...), manage the team a bit better, they're really promising on the long run...

You don't have to guess, it's right there beneath his name and avatar pic... everyone can see that... Unless you are indeed trolling

 

[Big Ewis]

yeah he roots for Geo, but lives in the States...I dunno, maybe he's originally Georgian but American, has one parent that's Georgian...I suppose he's just Geo livin in the US, but anyways that's neither here nor there.

So yeah, promising int'l sides of the future ?...US, Japan, Georgia according to the ppl on here. Canada too.

 

[Feicarsinn]

Meh. Georgia may overtake Scotland. Aside from that I don't see much change for the next 20 years at the very least.

 

[Big Ewis]

^ yeah I mean, like I said...someone disagreed with me but honestly, on the big scale, Canada has been there for a while and it's basically the same...for one.
* Japan I srs, srs would put my money on them not moving up a whole lot...it's like they join the RWC and enjoy seeing the other team reach triple digits.
* Why would the US all of a sudden invest time and money into this sport ? Especially provided they have one that replaces rugby directly. It's not like they don't have anything like it there...
* Georgia ...uhm...okay, fine, I'll be called a troll or wtvr again so...yeah, yippy, Georgia's future in rugby looks overwhelmingly stellar. c'maaaaaaaaaaahn ! COME ON NOW !...

 

[Canucks]

I feel the only 2 countries that have the infrastructure to reach a dominant level are USA and Russia. USA has a ridiculous set up for developing athletes and dominate both winter and summer Olympics as well as are a top team is baseball, basketball and hockey. The college athletics structure is the best development strategy in the world.

Russia has a different academy based development structure. That being said Russians like to win and have the money already invested in training facilities. Despite lack of attendance they will always have money in the program and that is essential for development. Russia is a great Olympics country, top hockey team and a good football side.

All other countries have a glass ceiling. Canada can only achieve a certain level due to lack of top level talent. The only way Canada ever becomes dominant is if the sport is developed alongside football so athletes can be poached. However the program will hopefully continue to grow.

Samoa, tonga and Fiji have great grassroots development but the inefficiencies and lack of money will hold the programs back. Georgia/Romania have the support but will have a tough time squeezing the talent out of the small populations.

 

[LittleGuy]

I could definately see Scotland and Italy being scalped soon by the likes of Georgia, USA and Canada. Italy had trouble with Canada in June for example. Hopefully we see the gap close enough that there is a distinct possiblity of upsets in upcoming world cups.

 

[Big Ewis]

^ yeah but there's no reason for Italy to slow down. Just like France a century ago, they're brand new, all fresh in the 6N. They already got Wales and Scotland, even got France once and came reaaaaally close against England like 3 times and were one kick away from getting Ireland...they're getting there. In a few RWC they could get to the knock-out stages...they've got good coaching, some world class players...they're developing. It's taking a lot of time, that's for sure...but that's just the standard time it takes teams.

Little Guy: tell me about Canadian rugby. How do you feel it's evolved, say, from the 90's to the 2000's to now ?

Canucks: I totally agree with you man. As decided on this thread, I'm a clueless troll; but still yeah I think US and Russia. They're huge countries, there's the money/population factor that Georgia doesn't have; and I know from legit sources that a looot of Russians are really developing a nation-wide love for the game. There are factors holding both nations back, but if any team can drastically (or considerably) move up, it's them.
The Cold War nations

 

[racingmetrofan]

^ yeah but there's no reason for Italy to slow down. Just like France a century ago, they're brand new, all fresh in the 6N. They already got Wales and Scotland, even got France once and came reaaaaally close against England like 3 times and were one kick away from getting Ireland...they're getting there. In a few RWC they could get to the knock-out stages...they've got good coaching, some world class players...they're developing. It's taking a lot of time, that's for sure...but that's just the standard time it takes teams.

Little Guy: tell me about Canadian rugby. How do you feel it's evolved, say, from the 90's to the 2000's to now ?

Canucks: I totally agree with you man. As decided on this thread, I'm a clueless troll; but still yeah I think US and Russia. They're huge countries, there's the money/population factor that Georgia doesn't have; and I know from legit sources that a looot of Russians are really developing a nation-wide love for the game. There are factors holding both nations back, but if any team can drastically (or considerably) move up, it's them.
The Cold War nations

Americans don't have the psyche to achieve in sports like rugby.

 

[Sam Owen]

Did you know that Rugby was played in America before Grid Iron? (so Ive heard here on TRF)..and after all those years where is Rugby in America now?..

America aint too bad at Rugby but the games been there for years. Long enough for them to be a force.

Grid Iron, Basketball, Baseball and Nascar will always drown out Rugby in America. Its more traditional, more money and more popular.