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Rumors are swirling that professional rugby league is to hit America in 2010. With my roots in union, I got nervous. What could this mean for rugby as a whole here in the United States? How would professional League influence rugby in this country?
I watch League from time to time. I enjoy the State of Origin. I have studied up on the sport and the split of the two codes. I am familiar with how much League tactics have influenced Union over the years as well. My personal preference is Union, but that is just me.
I took a closer at how these two codes stack up against each other here in the US and tried to figure out which sport has the advantage when it comes to this impending battle for the hearts and minds of the American sports fan.
Looking at the games themselves, a few points jump out. For starters, League offers simpler rules. If you can understand how the game is played, you can move on to decoding the intricacies of the sport more quickly.
If you contrast that with Union, it is a lost cause. You have to have a series of charts and diagrams to explain Union to the novice. Don’t get me wrong, I love the complexity of Union; that complexity makes Union the game it is.
League has a simple progression of play that is easier to follow, especially if you understand (American) football. The concept of a tackle count is just like downs. The field is even marked out like gridiron with numbers every ten yards.
Both players and fans will enjoy the violence of League. One of the hardest things to get football players to do when switching to rugby is to wrap up their tackles. The shoulder charge will be a huge hit with Americans… sorry for that pun.
League has 11 clubs in the US, all concentrated on the East coast. A majority of the US rugby talent plays Union and plies their skills west of the Rockies. I have no doubt many Union players will defect. It is too enticing to play a game and collect a paycheck. I simply can’t blame them.
The problem for League is that they will need the Union boys if they want to have a decent competition. I have watched a little of the American National Rugby League (AMNRL) competition and it is probably the equivalent of Union Division II club rugby. This is not the NRL, not by a long shot.
After seeing the AMNRL for myself, I started to question what they were thinking. Apparently they are going with an ‘if you build it they will come’ mentality. However, creating a top down system is going about things a little backwards.
League doesn’t have enough current players to fill the competition with quality athletes nor do they have a grassroots structure to build for the future.
Union has an established club rugby structure all over the country. Resent years have seen an explosion of youth and high school rugby clubs as well. College clubs have proven to be the best way to develop future Eagles.
Honestly, I can see college rugby becoming USA Rugby’s possible answer to professional League. College sports are a huge business here in the States and rugby can piggyback on established brand names.
League will have to sell a market on a new team and a new sport. The fans will ask why they should care, and with good reason.
People already have a favorite college team, so the emotional connection is already there. You are essentially selling them only on a new sport.
I have to say that a majority of my feelings are rooted in envy and frustration.
My envy is from the feeling of being beaten to the punch. Rugby in the US has started to pick up speed in its growth. The focus on youth has proved fruitful and the future is bright. I want professional rugby here, but I want it on my terms.
My frustration is directed at USA Rugby. With all of the history, all of the infrastructure, all the potential, why doesn’t Union have a professional competition? Why can’t I watch the Tri-Nations on ESPN?
Rugby, Union or League, just needs to be marketed to properly and the sport would sell. The fact the League has taken the bull by the horns is something to be admired. I wish them well. The debate still rages and it seems that the US will be the latest battle ground in League vs. Union.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.