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How powerful could American rugby be?

26th October, 2009
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26th October, 2009
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Enough of the negative Australian rugby stories, here’s something a bit more positive: the growth of American rugby. With High School rugby growing at 15 percent in the US (where it is currently the fastest growing school sport) and College Rugby now the largest club sport in the College program, the future is bright for rugby in the States

The advent of the Olympics Rugby 7s, US rugby now has money as well as the prestige to call itself a Olympic Sport. Bigger and better athletes will become more attracted to the game.

There is also the exposure the game is now getting over there.

The recent RWC Qualifier between USA and Canada was broadcast on ESPN HD (I think this might be the first rugby game ever to be on this channel), and there is a new movie called Invictus directed by Clint Eastwood with Morgan Freeman and Matt Damon coming out in December.

I found this link which discusses the potential 1st XV of NFL players. Whilst there’s the obvious problem that none of these guys have even touched a rugby ball, it does indicate the potential athletes that could become more involved.

My favourite has to be D’abrickshaw Ferguson, written as a Loosehead Prop. He is 141kg and has a vertical leap of 80cm (think of that power come scrum time).

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