The cancellation of the proposed exhibition match between the Leicester Tigers and the Rough Riders of the National Rugby Football League (NRFL) is just the latest setback in a long history of attempts to promote the future of rugby in America. USA Rugby has refused to sanction the game; seemingly stopping the potential of a visit of the ten time English champions and traditional rugby powerhouse.
Philadelphia will already play be the stage for a unique match up this summer as Harlequins end their summer tour with a match against the USA Eagles, as the national side warm up for this autumn’s World Cup. The emphasis on hosting games in Philadelphia may well be the reason behind USA Rugby’s failure to sanction Leicester’s match; though two high class games on American soil can only aid in the promotion of rugby throughout the nation.
Philadelphia is not the first city that comes to mind when thinking of American sporting success stories. The Phillies (MLB), Eagles (NFL), Flyers (NHL) and Union (MLS) have all failed to make a mark in recent years on the sporting landscape of the US. In the wake of these sporting failures maybe rugby is the answer to unify the city. This is reflected in the success of the Collegiate Rugby Championship Sevens held at PPL Park since 2010, highlighted by a record attendance of 24,813 over two days in 2015. At times the American sports scene appears to be saturated, but the growth of the MLS has proven that a non-traditional US sport can thrive in the niches of the market.
The addition of sevens to the Olympics at Rio 2016 has further increased the focus on rugby across the country as the USA, actually the reigning Olympic Gold medallists (albeit from Paris 1924…), look to defend their title of most successful rugby Olympians. It is this lure of Gold and international success that has opened minds in American sports, allowing for the possibility that rugby can now to gain a legitimate foothold. Recent success at the 2015 Twickenham leg of the World Sevens series has sparked real belief that the US can compete against the best the world has to offer. In fact, the growth of sevens looks now seems both continuous and sustainable; it is the future of the 15 a side game that is not as certain.
Lack of success on the international stage has hindered the growth of the USA Eagles, with the lack of a professional club league certainly largely responsible for this. The NRFL hope to launch in 2016 with six to twelve teams and are currently looking for bids from potential franchises. The Rough Riders have been announced as the first professional rugby union team in the US following a training camp with 30 rugby players and 30 ex NFL players. It is this blend of NFL athleticism and power combined with the coaching techniques that can create a recipe for success as a rugby nation.
Despite the cancellation of Leicester’s visit to Philadelphia the future is far from bleak for rugby in America. This summer will not only see Harlequins tour, but also Australia will pay a visit to Chicago’s Soldier Field for a World Cup warm up fixture. Previously Chicago has played host to a sell-out 61,500 crowd for the Eagles defeat to The All Blacks in November 2014. The potential is there, a core fan base is established but it is up to USA Rugby to engage sports fans as a whole and spur on rugby’s renaissance in the United States.
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