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Columns | 08.09.18
In India, icon meets icon as the William Webb Ellis Trophy is photographed with the Taj Mahal in the background. The trophy continues on its worldwide journey a year and a few months before the beginning of the Rugby World Cup in Japan 2019. (Tickets on sale.)
Like other parts of the 19th-Century, sun-never-setting on the British Empire, rugby was introduced into India in the early 1870s. The... Read More
Columns | 08.08.18
Bringing some Bollywood sparkle to the event, Sidharth Malhotra, joined former India international player, actor and director Rahul Bose, World Rugby Chief Executive Brett Gosper, Asia Rugby President Aga Hussain and Rugby India General Secretary Mahesh Mathai to celebrate the game ahead of Japan 2019.
Bollywood superstar Malhotra, a former Delhi Hurricanes rugby player and fan of the game told... Read More
Columns | 08.08.18
In September 2006, the USA Men’s Team won back to back weekend tournaments against Uruguay to qualify for the 2007 Rugby World Cup scheduled for France. The Eagles would play in Pool A against England, South Africa, Samoa, and Tonga. Peter Thorburn served as head coach. Dave Willington lead the conditioning.
In the opener against Los Teros (a local bird) in Montevideo, the USA won decisively 42-... Read More
Columns | 08.07.18
The dog days of summer for rugby freaks are upon us. The 7s season is over for all but 32 teams headed to the Big Apple for a couple of trophies this weekend, and 15s season is probably still a couple of weeks off for even the earliest of worms.
Nonetheless, last weekend presented a rugby day for me in the form of the Mid-America Geographic Union’s annual general meeting. Most every men’s and... Read More
Columns | 08.01.18
There was a time when Michelob Beer sponsored the Bermuda Classic Tournament, an invitational, two-team event that welcomed All Star players from days past. What started out in 1972 as an Easter match for some touring teams, turned into a singular world class contest.
Players who participated in the Classic included the legendary Gareth Edwards from Wales, Mike Edwards, Fergus Slattery, and Tom... Read More
Columns | 07.31.18
The rules of engagement are set. By playing in Major League Rugby, a player becomes a pro, and therefore forfeits his collegiate eligibility forever. That’s the current understanding between the league and USA Rugby.
It needs to be reconsidered to everyone’s benefit. MLR has planted its flag in the spring, as its second season will establish a January-through-June season, putting college rugby,... Read More
Columns | 07.30.18
The World Rugby Council gave approval to the RFU to Law 9.13, altering the definition of a high tackle from above the line of the shoulders to above the armpit line, as an extension to a package of World Rugby lowered tackle height trials for its recent U20 Championship and U20 Trophy in August.
The game is committed to evidence-based injury-prevention and the three trials are designed to... Read More
Columns | 07.28.18
6. Bids Are Expensive
The out-of-pocket fees to bid for the 2023 RWC cost $2 million per nation. The two losing bidders - South Africa and Ireland - wasted that sum forever; a financial risk that each country knew at the start it would cost to pitch.
Assume USA Rugby generated a surplus of $2 million in the near future, what other domestic American rugby projects or initiatives could benefit more... Read More
Columns | 07.27.18
By Kent Oszmanski, VP Sales, Rhino
Saturday - I walked around the entire stadium, which was fully staffed at every food and beverage vendor point. AT&T Park was prepared for a sellout crowd.
I donned my USA 7s Lincoln blazer, drawing many favorable glances. I honored all photo requests.
My Prime Sport hospitality package proved pricy but the cost was worth it to sit in peace and quiet and... Read More
Columns | 07.26.18
Now start the drumbeats from home and abroad (mostly, the latter) that USA Rugby should consider a bid for the 2027 Rugby World Cup. This represents an out of sort’s proposal not based on reality. The artificial belief persists that rugby in the USA is a sleeping giant that only needs a global kiss to awaken it and generate millions of dollars from first-class, American-based rugby events
In... Read More