U.S. Rugby

[Micro67]

The U.S. did poorly in the World Cup, but is there much interest in a pro league?

[mrcool92501]

as a pro league in the us would b a good start up to try

[SignGuyDino]

Mark Cuban is a big rugby supporter, BTW.

Frankly, like soccer it'd have to be played in the summertime. The only I way I see it working is playing in football stadiums (grass only, not against the new turfs at all, but the idea of bits of rubber in players eyes is a turnoff).

What we freaking need is an espn channel dedicated to minor league and women's sports. I don't freaking NEED espn deportes, I get my soccer fix on FSW and GolTV. :roll:

[Robert J. LaHue]

I'm kind of mixed, because I'm guessing you're referring to rugby union here. I've always been of the belief that rugby league would have better odds of success in US, since it holds a few more similarities to American Football (in terms of field markings and that you have a set number of tackles/downs to advance the ball...you can watch webcasts of games over the last three seasons of Australia's National Rugby League at their website, http://www.nrl.com.au...cool beans. This year's Grand Final between Penrith and Syndey was a doozy!)

Then again, Rugby League's similarity to football could hurt it, as well. The AFL is still struggling for approval among the sporting world.

That being said, I personally am a fan of just about every breed of football played in the world (except for soccer...just can't really get into it). Heck, I created a couple extra forms (talking about court and continental there, but I digress). I would love to watch some pro rugby here in the US. But, it's going to take awhile. Somehow manging to host a Rugby World Cup just might do the trick for that. Think about what hosting the Soccer World Cup did for the sport. The home team made a good run, and a league started up because of it. Same with the Women's World Cup...okay, well, success of the league doesn't always happen. But the important thing is that it generates interest. I don't think there's any shot of a pro rugby league in the US until the national team makes a good run in the World Cup (just one blasted kick against Fiji, dang it, and we would have been 2-2!) and/or the US hosts the World Cup, which may not happen for awhile, unless Cuban is really behind it. Personally, I think if he were to put his bankroll behind it, it could happen...

[Shootmaster_44]

Well there is still World Arena Rugby that is supposed to kickoff this summer. It apparently is going to be pro and try and bring the world's best players over. www.worldarenarugby.com is their website

[SignGuyDino]

Good Grief, that website ain't all that bad!!

The logos suck, and I'd hate to play on turf on concrete.

[Robert J. LaHue]

Hmm...it would be cool, I have to say that...

But seriously, can't we come with some more creativity in the naming department than "St. Louis Mugs"?

[SignGuyDino]

Hmm...it would be cool, I have to say that...

But seriously, can't we come with some more creativity in the naming department than "St. Louis Mugs"?

Yeah, really. "St. Louis Arches" make more sense, and it's not that great an idea...

[Herk]

For a while the founder of MLS was looking at the feasability of a US pro league. I haven't heard anything lately about it so I don't think it made it off the drawing board.

Even if the US got a pro league it would most likely be rugby union, I think rugby league is much better and funner to watch. Even better would be if the US pro league used rugby 7s rules. Having only 7 players on the field means you have less people to pay, and games are more fast-paced and higher scoring.

[SignGuyDino]

I've been thinking about it:

Wouldn't it make more sense for some big investor to build 8 smaller outdoor stadiums (grass or AstroPlay), for 7 on 7 rugby, soccer, and/or football outside? I can't accept the idea of playing rugby on the old carpet system on a concrete floor.

You could build bleachers that wraparound the entire field, no higher than 15 rows up. My rough estimate is that would seat around 6,000. Yes, mostly a cookie cutter design. If every A-League soccer league replicated the design at Blackbaud Stadium in Charleston, S.C., the fans wouldn't complain. Believe dat.

It wouldn't be Arrowhead Stadium, but it would be far more intimate.

[Robert J. LaHue]

I dunno. That's something that would really take years of planning. I would propose using minor league baseball stadiums, adding some fold-out bleachers in the outfield for additional seating. It was one of the ideas I was batting around when I was considering playing locations for court football, looking at Travis Credit Union Park in Vacaville and Nettleton Stadium here on the Chico State campus. There may be more seats around the end zones than the middle of the field with that setup, but it beats having to throw down capital for the building of a whole new stadium.

[SignGuyDino]

All you have to do is watch a Rochester Rhinos game on tv from a baseball stadium to know why rugby, football, soccer should use a separate stadium.

Or for that manner, any home Miami Dolphins game.

[ncelik]

World Arena Rugby? Looking at the website I can just say WOW! However, it's a long way from a website to a credible league.

www.premier-rugby.com is the only somewhat established league
www.amnrl.com seems to be connected somehow to the Australian NRL
www.worldarenarugby.com is new on my watch. Are they playing "Union" or "League" style?

OSC should have Rugby coverage under "Other", IMHO.

Personally, I wish them well, but I am not that interested since I do not believe that any kind of pro team can be put up in the US. I hope they prove me wrong and actually sell a couple of tickets.

[Robert J. LaHue]

Yeah, it would be cool having NRL and Australian Football League coverage on OSC. :D

And, on WAR...it appears to be Union...as far as I can know, there is no such thing as Rugby League 7s.

[Herk]

ncelik, i pretty sure the main reason OSC doen't cover the American NRL, or the Super League is that they are both amautuer leagues.

[mrcool92501]

web site for rugby 7's

www.rugby7.com

[SignGuyDino]

BTW, I love "The Rugby Club" on FoxSportsWorld. I loved watching the sevens tournament from Dubai, I can only wish I can go to Carson to see the US sevens.

The USA is quietly getting serious credibility in rugby to get this important event locked in for 5 years at the Home Depot Center. If there's a sellout (and I found out ticket sales seem pretty strong), don't be too surprised if there's serious talk about the USA getting the rugby World Cup in 8 or 12 years.