USA rugby showing its teeth as a future world power

Picture: Mike Petri, Scrum half of the USA rugby team. Picture by La Guerre

On September 11, 2011, the 10-year anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, most warm-blooded American families watched memorial ceremonies and football games on the first Sunday in the NFL season.

However, elsewhere many were paying attention to the first round of the Rugby World Cup Pool C in New Zealand, where a young USA team put the events of 9/11 on their back, and confronted a much more talented, and experienced Ireland team.

The USA Eagles played hard against Ireland, but lost 22-10, which is probably one of the reasons you’re only hearing about this now. The other is the fact that USA rugby just isn’t popular, and probably never will be. But I dare you to tell that to the players’ face, because they definitely don’t play like it.

Ireland is ranked the eighth strongest team in the world and many critics exclaimed that even with the loss USA (#18) is getting more powerful with every world cup. In fact the USA team recovered from that loss and defeated Russia. Mike Petri – a Brooklynite on the team – scored the only try against Russia in the win, and he talked to me earlier in the year about the importance of this tournament to the development of rugby in the USA.

Now the Eagles are third of five in Pool C with 1 win and one loss. Just like the article below suggest, “second tier” teams like the USA are starting to build themselves and become stronger programs. Of course if may take many more Rugby World Cups, before they are recognized as a world power, but it doesn’t seem like it’ll take that long with the showing this USA team is having.

Now honestly, let’s be real, if the USA didn’t invent and play gridiron football—this nation probably would have dominated rugby too. The amount of money, time, and man-power that is used for the nation’s most popular sport is overwhelming. But hey, what’s so wrong with Americans loving American football, or even American baseball for that matter.

Just in case you were wondering, USA’s next game is on Friday, September 23, against Australia—the second ranked team in the world. A win against the Aussies or even a close loss will really make a statement for the future.

-- La Guerre

Sources: nytimes/ IRB (international Rugby Board)

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/13/sports/rugby/13iht-rugby13.html?_r=2&src=recg

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/16/sports/rugby/2011-rugby-world-cup-us-defeats-russia.html

http://www.irb.com/rankings/