Monday April 18th, 2016 at around 5:00am AEST. Mark this day and time as it corresponds with the kick off of the first game in ProRugby’s relatively short yet eventful history.
After only publicly announcing their intention of launching the United States’ first professional rugby league last October, this the culmination of over 18 months of planning and effort with Denver hosting Ohio at Infinity Park, Glendale.
This game will be closely followed by its second match were Sacramento will host San Francisco at Bonney Field in the first ever Northern California derby.
For those not aware ProRugby emerged last October after around 12 months of rumour and whispers to announce the much thought of lofty intent to launch a professional rugby league in a relatively short six-month time frame.
Initial plans called for six teams in its inaugural season but due to issues with either availability or compliance to World Rugby’s field specification requirements the sixth franchise to originally be located in either New York or Philadelphia was set aside for season two when most of the above issues would be resolved.
Thanks to this, ProRugby’s first season will see a five-team league with San Diego, San Francisco, Sacramento, Denver and Ohio being selected as the inaugural franchises set to launch the league.
Each team will play a 12-game schedule (so yes, they’ll become quite familiar with one another) with what looks like a first past the post set up being most likely for season one. ProRugby has already stated on several occasions that the league will in effect double in size for season two and some sort of finals series seems likely then.
After much speculation ProRugby have been able to draw together not only five squads of domestic players and coaches but also draw in some surprising names from overseas for the leagues first season. Most notably Mils Muliana who will be running out for San Francisco this season.
Interestingly, ProRugby has opted for a heavily social media weighted marketing campaign as a means of driving interest in the league which appears to have returned promising early results.
Part of this strategy has also involved the opportunity for a fan to become their elected teams social media ambassador giving them unparalleled access to their team in an attempt to create a link between them and the fan-base.
Additionally, ProRugby will be launching competitions to both develop team names and brands throughout the season as a means of enhancing the fan engagement angle.
There’s a lot more to discuss so feel free to comment below. If you find yourself interested in viewing these games internationally AOL.com will be hosting the leagues web stream and if you happen to be in the States one game a week will feature on the One World Sports cable channel.
nmpcart
Guest
That's funny. I think the writer probably meant it to come across as 'the Southern Hemisphere and Japan's Super Rugby'. Anyway, it's good to see ProRugby providing a pathway for these North American (and probably a few South American) players. I think this will definitely help develop the US Eagles player pool and good for the local fans to have this comp. Great coverage by the way WCR.
kingplaymaker
Roar Guru
'Hughston's ultimate aspirations remain the same: play overseas on a top league, like the Southern Hemisphere, Japan's Super Rugby, or Europe's Pro12.' This week I think it's hard to claim it's Japan's Super rugby......in fact I notice that this is the 92nd comment, a weird coincidence that may recall a recent score......
nmpcart
Guest
Interesting article on the new comp here: https://sports.vice.com/ca/article/americas-first-ever-professional-rugby-league-is-ready-to-launch It mentions that World Rugby approved two rule tweaks for the comp - sudden death extra time to avoid any drawn matches and a limitation on scrum resets (doesn't say what this is). The red line across the chest on all the team jerseys to highlight head high tackles is an interesting innovation too.
Arthur Fonzarelli
Guest
There is more comment on this Australian website than the entire of the USA(pop 320 million) on this new startup competition.
Uruk 1st 15
Guest
Maybe in Australia there is the class thing still. Also in Scotland arguably and south east England, but that is all these days. Plenty of working class fans everywhere else.
Uruk 1st 15
Guest
This is awesome. Huge number of potential players in the US, loads of talented big and quick guys who can play NFL and Rugby. Really excited about this.
Paulie
Guest
Take a look at rugby in New Zealand farmers, factory workers it goes on and on obviously ignorant of anything outside dear I say League, Oh and by the way the All Blacks won World Team of the Year a massive achievement go tell them their parents weren't working class Fiddlesticks to you
ThePope
Roar Rookie
Man I hope this works. If sounds like a good, realistic start. With the talented population to draw on, given time if could by great. Gotta keep expectations realistic of course.
Working Class Rugger
Guest
That's the point of this season essentially being its beta season. The plan has always been to get the product up and running and show both sponsors, broadcasters and fans that they have a viable product. Which early signs suggests that they may very well have. I think as the league continues to develop it will help the Eagles significantly. It will certainly offer guys coming out of HS or Uni an avenue. Not going to say they'll rise to the summit rapidly but as this league consolidates it won't be unreasonable to see the Eagles crack the top 10.
BeastieBoy
Guest
If they get this right in just a few years they will be unstoppable internationally with the talented athletes over there. They need to attract and retain sponsorship and bring money in to get those athletes. But they have such a big population and so many don't get a berth after college gridiron. The longer term is promising as those gridiron helmets are causing so much human damage to the brain. If the helmets are banned so goes the spaceman look. Rugby is well placed.
CUW
Guest
http://www.planetrugby.com/news/sacramento-go-top-in-usa-pro-league/
CUW
Guest
http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/15104850/why-new-england-patriots-nate-ebner-pursues-olympic-rugby-dream Memory of father drives Patriots' Nate Ebner on Olympic rugby quest quite a story ....
Chris
Guest
Nothing in the English speaking press about and not a mention in Planet Rugby.
Working Class Rugger
Guest
Yes. One World Sports are carrying it domestically. You can also watch it live and recorded via aol.com/sports
DaniE
Roar Guru
Seattle is growing, particularly as it's the home of Atavus, previously Serevi Rugby Academy, Waisale's baby.
Lano
Roar Guru
Vancouver. Played a season there '78!!
Lano
Roar Guru
We had a reasonably active club scene when I played for a year in Vancouver in 1979 - mainly Simon Fraser Uni and 3 -4 some small clubs. Had one tour to Seattle!
The Sheriff
Guest
Great news! Is it being televised locally?
Working Class Rugger
Guest
It's been a good start to the league. From what I've been told the game in Denver was entertaining as well. Just a little low scoring. I know the guy who ran ProRugby's twitter feed and he was very happy with the quality. Also reckons Ohio are very good with Denver fortunate to win it. I'm looking forward to next week with Sac at San Diego on Saturday (US) and Denver at SF on Sunday. I think this is going to be a fun league to watch develop. Particularly as the fitness levels of the teams improve and the skills alongside it.
TheYank
Guest
Just watched the Sacramento vs San Francisco game at Bonney Field in sac town this avo. Great game! Recommend you go to aol.com to check it out. That being said nice article and knowledge of the rugby scene in U.S. Workin class rugger. I grew up in Sacramento area and just in my 10 years as a fan the sport has exploded. We used to have just varsity and j.v but now there are teams all the way down to 8 years old! Still can't compare to the excellence of Australia. Go wallabies! Nice article working class rugger