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Union vs league. Rugby union to win the battle in USA
Posted: Fri Dec 08, 2017 9:48 am
by rugby365
With the launch of the Toronto Wolfpack and the talks of more teams joining the English ranks, Rugby union looks to do one better with the introduction of the 7 team Major League Rugby competition kicking off April 2018.
With schedules already released and a national TV deal with CBS sports all locked in it looks like rugby union will once again lead the way. AFL will stick to be being a suburban game.
Re: Battle USA Union VS League.
Posted: Fri Dec 08, 2017 11:12 am
by Terry
rugby365 wrote: ↑Fri Dec 08, 2017 9:48 am
With the success of the Toronto Wolfpack in their inaugural year and the talks of more teams joining the English ranks, Rugby union looks to do one better with the introduction of the 7 team Major League Rugby competition kicking off April 2018.
With schedules already released and a national TV deal with CBS sports all locked in, it looks like it’s going to be an interesting 2018 as both codes. Can they co-exist or will the on going code war reach the shores of Uncle Sam?
Rugby had a pro comp last year that closed down after one season and didn't pay it's players in full. Not a good sign for this new comp.
As far as RL v RU is concerned in the US: they are not aware of the old prejudices which should actually encourage RL people as they are usually the ones discriminated against. Plus the size of the country and number of large cities and regional towns means both codes could get a small foothold in different geographical locations.
Having said that both codes have been banging on about the potential for their games for decades with little result although RU does have an advantage that it is played in many US universities.
I would say, 'watch this space'.
Re: Battle USA Union VS League.
Posted: Fri Dec 08, 2017 11:16 am
by rugby365
Terry wrote: ↑Fri Dec 08, 2017 11:12 am
rugby365 wrote: ↑Fri Dec 08, 2017 9:48 am
With the success of the Toronto Wolfpack in their inaugural year and the talks of more teams joining the English ranks, Rugby union looks to do one better with the introduction of the 7 team Major League Rugby competition kicking off April 2018.
With schedules already released and a national TV deal with CBS sports all locked in, it looks like it’s going to be an interesting 2018 as both codes. Can they co-exist or will the on going code war reach the shores of Uncle Sam?
Rugby had a pro comp last year that closed down after one season and didn't pay it's players in full. Not a good sign for this new comp.
As far as RL v RU is concerned in the US: they are not aware of the old prejudices which should actually encourage RL people as they are usually the ones discriminated against. Plus the size of the country and number of large cities and regional towns means both codes could get a small foothold in different geographical locations.
Having said that both codes have been banging on about the potential for their games for decades with little result although RU does have an advantage that it is played in many US universities.
I would say, 'watch this space'.
True but last years comp was badly run, all five teams were owned and operated by one guy. This time round all 7 teams are privately owned and operated, with links to the local clubs in the area. All teams had to pay 500k to join and ensure they have the right facilities in place to be able run properly for a minimum of 3 years.
Time will tell
Re: Union vs league. Rugby union to win the battle in USA
Posted: Fri Dec 08, 2017 11:39 am
by leeroy*NRL*
interesting >> good to see a Union comp get up and running..
breeding ground in America is very untapped it could be huge in decades to come
any links rugby365 to the new comp?
Re: Union vs league. Rugby union to win the battle in USA
Posted: Fri Dec 08, 2017 12:09 pm
by rugby365
leeroy*NRL* wrote: ↑Fri Dec 08, 2017 11:39 am
interesting >> good to see a Union comp get up and running..
breeding ground in America is very untapped it could be huge in decades to come
any links rugby365 to the new comp?
yeah mate should be good. Like Terry said both codes could easily co-exist
https://www.usmlr.com/
Re: Union vs league. Rugby union to win the battle in USA
Posted: Fri Dec 08, 2017 1:14 pm
by leeroy*NRL*
Cheers Bud
but yes> be great 2 see 2 rugby codes get up and running in the U.S
all those college players that don't make NFL>> what is it 5% make it.
if players could be paid well, it would excel even further.
Re: Union vs league. Rugby union to win the battle in USA
Posted: Sun Dec 10, 2017 9:53 pm
by NRL&NFLweLaughATafl
I heard the USA has more Rugby Union players than Australia. So there is a huge potential for the sport there.
And like Leeroy said, there would be so many Gridiron players who would have the potential to crossover.
Re: Union vs league. Rugby union to win the battle in USA
Posted: Wed Mar 21, 2018 10:06 am
by rugby365
Major League Rugby has added ESPN to cover the rest of the games that CBS isnt covering. 2 great broadcasting partners for a start up competition.
https://www.usmlr.com/news/major-league ... -agreement
really exciting times for rugby in the US
Re: Union vs league. Rugby union to win the battle in USA
Posted: Sun Mar 25, 2018 11:26 am
by NRL&NFLweLaughATafl
I am surprised they have'nt tried to put a few American teams in the super rugby competion.
Re: Union vs league. Rugby union to win the battle in USA
Posted: Mon Mar 26, 2018 8:58 am
by rugby365
NRL&NFLweLaughATafl wrote: ↑Sun Mar 25, 2018 11:26 am
I am surprised they have'nt tried to put a few American teams in the super rugby competion.
there were talks but logistically it would have been to much. adding the japs and argies was bad enough travel wise imagine adding the USA. Starting their own comp is the best way forward.
after 2020 I can imagine some big changes to super rugby with South africa to maybe join the european comp, australia, nz, japan to create their own comp and arges joining to new proposed South america pro comp
Re: Union vs league. Rugby union to win the battle in USA
Posted: Sun Apr 01, 2018 6:07 am
by NRL&NFLweLaughATafl
I honestly think the North American market is big enough for both Rugby codes. The population of America is more than double all the big rugby nations combined.
This is why so many sports are trying to grow there.
Will be interesting to see the new comps starting up there though.
Re: Union vs league. Rugby union to win the battle in USA
Posted: Mon Jul 09, 2018 12:35 pm
by leeroy*NRL*
Major League Rugby crowns Seattle champions – and looks to season two
The US professional competition staged its final in San Diego on Saturday and will be in Los Angeles and New York next year
Seattle won the championship game in San Diego 23-19
crowd not stated but it looked decent.
Rugby World Cup Sevens in San Francisco from 20-22 July and says 90,000 tickets have been sold.
https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/ ... season-two
Re: Union vs league. Rugby union to win the battle in USA
Posted: Mon Jul 09, 2018 2:19 pm
by rugby365
I watched the game via FB, was a really good game, a really competitive game by the two best teams in the league.
the crowd was decent considering it in San diego. Its a good start for a competition just finding its feet.
Season 2 will kick off end of January.