Embarrassing: Rugby World Cup Ireland 82 - Romania 8
More embarrassing: The US doesn't even have a team in the tournament, which means we're not as good as a team that lost 82-8..
Have never understood this. Take the best running backs, safeties and linebackers that aren't good enough to make NFL rosters out of college. Put them on the team and teach them to play the game. Their size, speed and strength alone would be a great start. It's so embarrassing that we can't field a team good enough to even be in the world cup tournament.
13 Replies
2y
...embarrassing performances.
(In response to this post by Vienna_Hokie)
2y
With what you said, given the money and resources you would think we could field a somewhat competitive rugby team.
(In response to this post by Vienna_Hokie)
2y
Like EVER. The All-Blacks had shut us out in every previous contest, apparently. They good.
(In response to this post by Alan11)
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tcc_dc
2y
(In response to this post by Zanderhokie)
2y
we could not win anything for 10% of what's being spent now.
(In response to this post by Alan11)
2y
They're on a different planet than us in rugby. I'm actually amazed we even have a somewhat-competitive international team. I lived in Europe for several years (where rugby is huge) and always had to explain that in the US, rugby is basically a niche club sport. Nobody plays it, nobody watches it, and nobody funds it (slight exaggeration but basically true). Rugby is like the 20th-most popular sport in the US. Far below football, basketball, soccer, baseball, hockey, softball, lacrosse, wrestling, boxing, MMA, tennis, track & field, swimming/diving, etc. It's not even on the radar of most American sports fans.
You're totally right though: if we could take athletic football players who aren't quite good enough to play in the NFL, CFL, Arena, etc football leagues, and teach them how to play rugby (quite different from American football) we could field a pretty decent team. I think we're a long way from making that happen, though.
(In response to this post by Vienna_Hokie)
2y
to fund a program, pay the athletes and build a following.
(In response to this post by Zanderhokie)
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tcc_dc
2y
we played Ireland in 2021 we lost 71-10...
There is a reason why Ireland is one of the top countries in the world for rugby.
The US if rightly coached would be in the 12 range which would make us about Japan/Tonga/Italy equivalents..
The players for the US are pretty good...arguably have one of the best fly halfs and a few other players that would play on many teams. But coaching has sucked forever. They never play to our strengths, but they coach a NZ or Aus or UK game...while that might work there, never here.
We failed to make the world cup as we choked to Uruguay then Chile then Portugal in succession...one kick here or there and we win.....sigh...
Anyways leaving tomorrow for the RWC...
(In response to this post by Vienna_Hokie)
2y
I lived in SW France for a few years and they are absolutely rabid and diehard rugby fans. They've been eagerly waiting to host a Rugby World Cup for a long time and will turn out in droves for these games.
(In response to this post by tcc_dc)
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tcc_dc
2y
I am an Irish fan...member of a club in Cork for years that gets me my 6n tickets.
If not Ireland, I hope France wins this....the French fans have always been great. Still one of my saddest games was 1st game at Croke between France and Ireland....ROG takes the lead with a just a minute to go...the whole park was going crazy assuming we won.
and France kicked off back to Ireland and the ball dropped...and bounced...then Clerc picked it up...and then he scores...stunned
Rolled into the airport next morning to fly back to DC..and was going through security at same time as the French team...it id not help my hangover :) when the french were singing to them...
(In response to this post by Zanderhokie)
2y
(In response to this post by Zanderhokie)
2y
money to buy the right coach and athletes who could become a powerful team.
(In response to this post by tcc_dc)