In Australia they will try to lay claim to Kiwi horse racing legend Phar Lap, Crowded House and Russell Crowe. To be fair, most Kiwi’s are happy to let them keep Russell. Here in New Zealand we’re just as bad, we’ve tried to claim Keith Urban on the basis he lived here for about ten minutes, it’s even been touted in the media that Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson went to school in Grey Lynn for about a week. So it’s perhaps a bit of a misnomer in some regards to entirely claim rising USA Eagles star Adam Siddall entirely as a Kiwi.
USA Rugby bills Siddall’s hometown as Auckland, New Zealand, and Siddall did do a lot of his schooling here in New Zealand. However, as Siddall points out “I was born a U.S. Citizen and half of my family lives in California.”
That said, Siddall does have ties to New Zealand, particularly around his schooling. When I asked Adam for example how he came to be in New York playing for Old Blue. “In terms of how I have approached my rugby and moving to the States- I was committed to being in Auckland to study and I prioritized that until I finished in November of last year. Because of this I was always bound to being in Auckland but I thought it would be fun and a different experience to go play abroad in particular the U.S. I had an agency looking for places I could play and I got an offer from Old Blue to play in New York.” Given Siddall’s US Citizenship and family connections in America “A move to the States was very appealing”
Given Siddall had played rugby here in New Zealand, as well as in the US it seemed intriguing to contrast the two playing styles, Siddall commented “I would say that the Auckland first XV and club rugby is one of the most physical in the World. In the U.S typically there is not the same power but there are some great athletes and as a generalization the focus is upon moving the ball to space more.”
” I’ve spent time in my childhood growing up in both the U.S and New Zealand and there are other members of the team who similarly have not been full time in the States. Our team encompasses the American ideal of people from different upbringings or places coming together for one common goal which is to represent the country to the best of our abilities at Rugby.”
I asked Siddall about facing the Maori All Blacks as a Kiwi in a US jersey, especially as it must be daunting facing down a Haka. “I guess I have faced a fair few Haka’s in my time so I probably didn’t find it as stirring as the other guys in the team. I enjoyed the Philly crowds response to the Haka.”
Looking towards the future, and his playing prospects, Siddall has some definite goals in mind. “At this point I’m wanting to focus on rugby and have set my goal of being in the team for the World Cup. This summer I’m going back to NZ to do the Bar Exam for Law so I am likely to work in that after or perhaps during my time playing rugby. I may also do this in New York or California depending on if I decide to settle in one of those places. At this point I have no idea where I will be or what I will be doing Next year but I want to play rugby at the highest level possible and represent my country.”
“After the tour I’m back to NZ to do the Bar Course which takes me through till the end of February. In this time I will probably look to play sevens with Ponsonby.”
The recent victory in Georgia had to be touched on, given the huge response it has had in US Rugby, and world rugby circles. “I love being on tour in a fully professional environment and there is a good bunch of boys who like having a laugh so its a good time. The victory against Georgia has given the team a big lift. We have not won a game since Romania this time last year and beating Georgia at home is not an easy task particularly with the travel schedule and time differences that we faced.”
I also asked Siddall about his club links back in the USA, asking what was the best thing about playing for Old Blue New York. “Playing for Old Blue I have travelled around the States and seen places I otherwise wouldn’t have but best thing about playing for Old Blue is the team culture. The team welcomes newcomers and making that many tight friends in a new city is something special.”
Finally I asked Siddall whether he would encourage other Kiwi’s and Aussies to consider overseas opportunities like USA to advance their rugby career. “[Yes] I would encourage other kiwis to have a look at opportunities in the States I think a different culture the rugby and the life experiences are a great change. “
The USA Eagles are facing Russia this weekend at Allianz Stadium in London, find out more about the USA Eagles team at their
website, or follow them on
Twitter, also you can keep up with Adam here on his
Twitter. I’d like to thank Adam Siddall for taking the time to answer my questions, if you’re a rugby fan I’d suggest Siddall is a name you’ll be seeing a lot of in the future as he continues to make his name in US Rugby.
Thanks for reading, you can follow me on Twitter @lastwordkyle; as well as our fellow LWOS rugby writers – @richfergie, @LWOSPerrineR 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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Main Photo Credit: Levan Verdzeuli via USA Rugby
