American Rugby Readies For Its Big Tests

While the upcoming Rugby World Cup will garner millions of impressions and tremendous interest around the world, the market that many brands are looking to for the next bump is the United States.

Much like soccer (football) 20 years ago, rugby is making healthy strides on all levels in the US, and the progress of the national teams both in qualifying for World Cup and for the Olympics will help the growth that is being seen on the school level and the club level.

With this coming weekend’s test against the Qantas Wallabees at Chicago’s Soldier Field being another measuring stick, we caught up with USA Rugby CEO Nigel Melville to ask him about where the sport is now, and where it will be going in 2016, which is shaping up to be a landmark year for the sport in the States, with global implications as well.

How has the scope of rugby in the US grown since the record-setting match against the All Blacks last November?

The game has continued to grow at all levels and we have continued to increase our membership. The All Blacks match was great and created a lot of awareness for the game, however, one game isn’t going to change the world, we have to keep bringing the events to the USA, coaching the kids, building our domestic college/club and high school game, that’s important for a sustainable future for the game in the USA. Our men’s and women’s sevens teams qualified for the Olympics in Rio and once again this will have a significant impact on awareness of the game in the USA.

The Wallabies are a different kind of opponent going into World Cup, what does another successful event mean for the sport in the US?

Yes, this is a very different event, it’s a warm up game for the Rugby World Cup (England – Sept/October) an important game for both teams.

How has the sevens qualifying for both men and women in the Olympics help USA Rugby with its mission?

Of course, the Olympics has been a great opportunity for us, Olympics brings credibility to our sport and has provided us with a great opportunity to build the sevens form of the game – a format that appeals to an American audience – fast, athletic, skillful and physical.

Are there benchmarks for onfield success you have set for this coming week and through the World Cup? What determines a successful six weeks for The Eagles?

This will be the best prepared Eagles team we have ever sent to a World Cup, its a very competitive tournament and we strive for two or more wins. We have only achieved a single win at a World Cup in the past, two or more would be fantastic. Our pool s strong with South Africa the clear favourites to move to the quarter finals but Scotland/Samoa/Japan are all going to be close games!

Given where rugby was when you started in the US to today, what have been the most significant points of growth?

The youth programmes we started in 2008 are starting the bare fruit, we have along way to go to realize our potential but without those programs we would not be having the success and momentum we have today. Yes, the big events help too, more media, more TV, more opportunities to showcase the game with the Olympics and more. We will also be hosting the Rugby World Cup in 2018, these are exciting times for the game and so many exciting opportunities ahead.

Looking ahead, what are the next benchmarks for growth for both 15’s and sevens in the US for 2016 and beyond?

A strong performance at the RWC will be the first step, then our Road to Rio and defending our status as reigning Olympic rugby champions!!! We will bring more high profile events to the USA, start a professional league and keep the momentum going.