2015 Rugby World Cup: Pool B – USA Eagles can prove this is American game, too

Jonathan Raymond writes the United States rugby team can gain some of the same exposure out the 2015 Rugby World Cup that brought soccer from the American sporting fringes.

Samu Manoa of the United States shown during last November's Test in Chicago against New Zealand. Jonathan Daniel / Getty Images / AFP / November 1, 2014

Take a guess – which international rugby team can lay claim both to being the reigning Olympic champions and the last side to lift a trophy at Twickenham after winning an international tournament?

That’s right: U (!) S (!) A (!).

Of course, the United States have been retaining that Olympic title uncontested for over 90 years and the London Sevens result in May, encouraging as it is, has probably as much bearing on US World Cup hopes as the New England Patriots’ Super Bowl victory in February. But hey, don’t let it be said the Eagles arrive in England without any pedigree to speak of.

The truth is, strange as it must be for all the rugby powers of the Eastern Hemisphere to see the likes of USA and Canada stroll up every four years to make the numbers at the World Cup, rugby – unlike, say, cricket – isn’t by any means an alien game to North America.

In the US specifically, once upon a time rugby was every bit American football’s equal on the sporting scene. It was a major college campus fixture, especially in the Ivy League and on the west coast. It thrived among the amateur ranks from the late 19th and early 20th centuries until gridiron and the forward pass ultimately won the hearts of Americans. That sport, and eventually the NFL, went on to reap the rewards of professionalism.

But rugby continues to find not insignificant numbers of devotees, at universities and in social clubs around the country. One only has to look at the USA squad to see we’re not bringing a lousy group of make-weights to the World Cup.

Hayden Smith and Chris Wyles, Saracens. Samu Manoa, Toulon (and formerly of Northampton). Cam Dolan, Cardiff Blues. Scott LaValla, recently of Stade Francais. They may not immediately spring fear into the hearts of the Springboks, but they can play.

The 2015 World Cup will be an important moment of exposure for the Eagles. The 2011 tournament wasn’t even available on television in the US outside special broadcast packages – in 2015 it’ll be shown via NBC and its properties, one of the most visible broadcasters in America.

Last November 61,500 filled the stands at Chicago’s Soldier Field (home of the NFL’s Bears) for the pleasure of witnessing the All Blacks. The Eagles were also there, though the 74-6 final did little to indicate so. Still, it was a threshold moment all the same – 61,500 is a lot of people to turn out in the United States for a contact sport without quarterbacks starring a bunch of guys from New Zealand.

It wasn’t long ago soccer was thought to have no place in America. Increased World Cup exposure was one of the things to dramatically change that. It’s a long way for rugby union to get to quite that level, but there’s a precedent, and if nothing else the Eagles should enjoy support out of nothing more than Americans’ increased appetite for nationalistic sporting displays – from the darling men’s and women’s soccer teams at recent World Cups to the popularity of USA-Canada ice hockey matches, the revitalised basketball programme and the nascent baseball world classic.

The Eagles would be happy to win a single game in group play at the World Cup – they’ll be happier to spread some awareness that rugby is actually one of our games, too.

Paul Radley’s Players to Watch

Tim Nanai-Williams (Samoa)

In a minority in Samoa in that he glides rather than destroys, the speedy Nanai-Williams - Sonny Bill Williams’ cousin - has had a good look around before reaching the World Cup.

His grand tour has included winning Super Rugby with the Chiefs, agreeing a deal to play in Japan, as well as playing at the Dubai Sevens for two separate nations.

He played for played for New Zealand in the UAE in 2008, before making use of an eligibility loophole to switch to Samoa last season ahead of next year’s Olympics.

Fumi Tanaka (Japan)

Not just for his impish skills from scrum-half. Watch out for japes, too. Japan’s coach Eddie Jones says he is the funniest player around.

Samu Manoa (United States)

After a decorated career in the English Premiership, Manoa received arguably the best financial endorsement in rugby last year: a contract to become a Toulon Galactico.

Follow us on Twitter @NatSportUAE