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When thinking about rugby in the Americas you would be forgiven automatically jumping to the rise of Argentina as a power in the game.
You’d also be right in looking upon the likes of the Eagles and the US as potentially the next great rugby nation.
You may even remember the Canadians’ often plucky efforts and near successes at the most recent Rugby World Cup and think what is yet to come. But, what about the rest. What do we really know about rugby in the Americas?
Well, let’s have a look at a few elements that may provide a glimpse into who the major are, will be and the game’s future overall.
First things first, gone are the old confederations of the North American and Caribbean Rugby Association and SudeA merica De Rugby and in with the new Rugby Americas North and Rugby Americas South. I’m sure the similarities haven’t escaped anyone reading this, the clever lot that you are.
This reorganisation has come about as concerted effort to create not only greater coordination between both continental groupings but also signal the start of a partnership designed to develop and progress the game across the Americas.
A direct result of these efforts has been the restructuring of the Americas Rugby Championship from a development tournament into a frontline rugby championship in the making.
Having just completed its second round of matches involving teams from Argentina, Canada, USA, Chile, Uruguay and Brazil the ARC has been re-purposed to provide the established and in the future rising nations in the Americas with a conduit to develop not only on the field but commercially as well. This is something it has already managed to deliver on in the form of a TV deal via ESPN valued at $1,000,000 a season.
As part of the deal each union contributed $150,000 to the pot alongside World Rugby’s contribution of $750,000 to cover total operating costs of $2,500,000 for the entire tournament. From early signs suggest that all the unions will recover their investment and plus some.
In terms of on the field, early running suggests that the title will be a battle of points differential between the Eagles and Argentina after they drew 35-35 in week one and the Eagles accounted for Canada in Austin, TX yesterday afternoon while Argentina overcame a defiant but inevitably outclass Chile in front of 15,000 in Argentina.
In terms of play the standard has been surprisingly good. Teams have seemed to have handled the mixture of professionals and amateur well and have provided some highly entertaining games. What’s encouraging early on is the competitiveness of the lesser nations not only among themselves (- Chile defeated Brazil narrowly at home in week one while Brazil almost upset Uruguay in Sao Paulo earlier yesterday which should make the Uruguay/Chile clash very interesting – but against their more fancied opponents.
While this weekend seems like some heavy going for the minnows of the six with Chile travelling Fort Lauderdale to take on the Eagles, Brazil heading up to Langford in British Colombia and Argentina taking the ferry to Montevideo to face Uruguay all the contests promise to be played with great spirit and ferocious vigor.
It’s still very early on in the competition’s development but already the signs are already there. The game has the potential to grow on both continents. With the establishment of a second division likely to involve the likes of rising powers such as Colombia and Mexico, rugby seems destined to go from strength to strength in the Americas.
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.