To be a partisan fan is something I can appreciate; I may live and breathe rugby, but I also love NFL and NHL. Not sports particularly well followed here in New Zealand, but I consider myself a passionate Patriots fan, and a big fan of the Bruins as well (much to the horror of many of my Last Word colleagues). I’ve also fallen in love recently with the German Bundesliga (footy) team FC Schalke 04.
Growing up in New Zealand though it’s easy to be a rugby fan. Rugby is in this countries blood, it’s the national sport, and probably a national obsession. When the All Blacks played for the Rugby World Cup in 2011 the whole nation held it’s breath. New Zealand has been successful in the 15-a-side game, the 7-a-side game and on November 9 the New Zealand Maori (also known as the Maori All Blacks) side are taking on USA Rugby Eagles in Philadelphia.
New Zealand rugby fans will be watching this game with avid interest. What really struck me, however, is the amount of US-based rugby fans who will be sharing this interest. Which to me begs the question, in a nation that is spoiled for sporting choice, what would attract you to a game like rugby? The average American sports fan has NFL, NHL, MLB and NBA. As well as NASCAR, MLS, UFC….and this is just the top tier stuff off the top of my head. Yet there seems to be a real, and strong, grassroots support for rugby in the US. What’s more, the rugby fans in America seem to display a love and passion for the sport that could even put some kiwis to shame!
With this in mind, I threw out the question to US-based rugby fans, why rugby? What is it that drives your passion, that makes you follow and that makes you believe? The responses really intrigued me.
Many of the fans who responded talked of the sense of brotherhood in rugby. Mike Kellett says “It is unlike any other sport. Your team is your family on and off the pitch. It is amazing how the sport brings people together.” Others are attracted to the physicality of the sport, such as James Cooke who commented, “Every game feels like a playoff game.” Interestingly, rugby has also started to become a generational following in the States as well, with one of the responses talking about his father playing rugby in the 70’s, and how it’s the only game he honestly, truly follows with any sort of dedication.
Ahmad Bahrami, who previously contributed to my article about the need for professional rugby in the US, expands further on these views. He talks of loving the technical aspects of the game, it’s fluid yet powerful nature. The endurance, wit and will of the players. The fact that as a rugby fan you’re part of a world wide brotherhood, where you can walk down virtually any street anywhere in the world in a rugby jersey, and people who love the game will start talking to you about your team, or their team…and instantly you’ve got a connection.
One of the big drives for many US rugby fans is the sense of involvement they have in the sport. Many fans are also players, or know players. You don’t necessarily get that connection to an NFL team or an NHL team. Yes you love the team, you love the brand, you love the players, but you don’t have that sense of connection you get when your team IS like your family. You don’t get that sense of connection when you can get as involved with your sport as you can with something like rugby.
This leads to a bit of a catch-22 though. In order to grow I still believe the US needs a professional rugby programme, however I can’t help but wonder if that would actually detract a little from what rugby means to US fans. Would it reduce that feeling of involvement, of family, that seems to be prevalent BECAUSE of the grass roots nature of the sport in the US?
I look at the fact that USA Rugby has just clicked over 30,000 followers on its Twitter feed, as compared to over 5 million NFL followers. Yet I would suggest those 30,000 followers would be a lot more active, and a lot more involved in their sport than the average NFL followers. Possibly because they can be, possibly because for their game to maintain its life they HAVE to be. I believe in some regards that sense of possession, and of belonging is one of the key things that makes the rugby fan stand out amongst others. If you’re a rugby fan in the US it’s usually because something about the game has touched you, and moved you to the point that you have made the choice to adopt and follow this great sport. In New Zealand, Rugby is just there, whether you want it or not.
To therefore, make the conscious choice that, for whatever reason, rugby is what you will follow in spite of all the myriad of options available to the US fan is, in my opinion, a big call. To the many people who responded to me to express their love of this great game, including those not actually from the US but who follow the Eagles, my deepest thanks. In showing me why you love this game you have also deepened my own love for it. I admire and respect your passion, and I also respect the insight you have all given me.
I’m looking forward to watching the Maori All Blacks facing off against the Eagles in a couple of weeks. And I can’t help but think that knowing I have 30,000 odd comrades in arms cheering for their team out there, it kind of adds something to the game.
Thanks for reading, you can follow me on Twitter @lastwordkyle; as well as our fellow LWOS rugby writers –@richfergie and @Daniel_Ford_1 . Give the site a follow while you’re at it – @lastwordonsport and please take a moment to like our Facebook Page.
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