Recent reports, including mine, that the USA Eagles could play host to the All Blacks next year appear to be growing in credence, with the New Zealand Herald reporting this morning that the agreements are set to be signed this week.
The Eagles faced down an amazing fight from the New Zealand Maori All Blacks a few months ago, and while they ultimately succumbed, the Eagles did show they CAN keep pace with some of the worlds best, and more to the point they CAN sell out big stadiums.
With the deal looking to be all but done, this then leaves the question of where the game will take place. While the All Blacks are the world champions, Rugby still lacks the major pulling power of an NFL event in the US Market. It has been suggested the game could take place either at Metlife Stadium, Soldier Field in Chicago or Fed Ex Stadium in Washington DC.
This could well be the game that puts US Rugby on the map. This is the sort of game that should get network attention, and that should get USA Rugby CEO Nigel Melville to put some major league support behind a team that is seriously under resourced and under utilised. The Eagles have talent, they have skill, what they lack is top level support to capitalise on what they can do.
The All Blacks for their part would do well to get US exposure themselves. Many former All Blacks find themselves in playing and coaching positions off shore after their playing tenure ends in New Zealand, strengthening the relationship with USA Rugby can potentially provide a new option for players that aren’t wanting to pursue Japan or Europe.
Before anything can really happen for USA Rugby though they need to actually become a cohesive organisation. The development of the Pacific Rugby Premiership seems to have exposed the infighting that has divided USA Rugby, apparently for some time. A lack of direction from the management office has left the Eagles struggling to achieve the results they are more than capable of. Thankfully they do have the financial support of AIG, the insurance company that also sponsors the All Blacks.
I can’t help but wonder what will happen if the USA Rugby organistion DOES actually get some cohesive leadership going. It’s speculation, absolutely, but I do see the USA having the ability to crack into the top ten power teams in the Rugby World. If they handle the exposure from an All Blacks test right they could turn this into a real step in the rugby development of the nation.
If the deal is done, and it is looking increasingly like this will be the case, then the onus is firmly on USA Rugby’s management to show the world, and show the American audiences, that rugby is the USA is viable, is real, and is worthy of support. I genuinely hope that’s what happens, as this I feel could be one of the biggest, if not THE biggest, game in USA Rugby’s history.
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Main Photo Credit: NZ Dave via Flickr
