Rugby News from unexpected places

[Omar Comin']

I guess a more realistic option could be the remaining MLR merging with Super Rugby Americas to become the North American conference. Or having a shorter combined cup competition in addition to the MLR/SRA to extend their calendar a bit. Then they might still be viable with 6 or 7 teams.

 

[liquor box]

Eagles to be the 5th "aussie" Super Rugby team?

I think an Eagles team playing in Hawaii would be good for them to develop prior to their world cup.

It is not too far away really and would be quite a tourist draw for a Super Round.

The Argentina's national team saw benefits from playing Super Rugby and maybe a similar improvement could happen with the USA.

 

[Strewthcobber]

I think an Eagles team playing in Hawaii would be good for them to develop prior to their world cup.

It is not too far away really and would be quite a tourist draw for a Super Round.

The Argentina's national team saw benefits from playing Super Rugby and maybe a similar improvement could happen with the USA.

Perth to Honolulu appears to be a 17 hour journey at best!

 

[Upthemaroon!]

I think an Eagles team playing in Hawaii would be good for them to develop prior to their world cup.

It is not too far away really and would be quite a tourist draw for a Super Round.

The Argentina's national team saw benefits from playing Super Rugby and maybe a similar improvement could happen with the USA.

For USA rugby, sure it would be a good thing.

For the one footing the bill, don't think it would be so great

 

[Upthemaroon!]

I guess a more realistic option could be the remaining MLR merging with Super Rugby Americas to become the North American conference. Or having a shorter combined cup competition in addition to the MLR/SRA to extend their calendar a bit. Then they might still be viable with 6 or 7 teams.

This is the most realistic option. Think that Super Rugby Americas wouldn't dislike that with the current broadcast deal in the states.

 

[Omar Comin']

I think an Eagles team playing in Hawaii would be good for them to develop prior to their world cup.

It is not too far away really and would be quite a tourist draw for a Super Round.

The Argentina's national team saw benefits from playing Super Rugby and maybe a similar improvement could happen with the USA.

You could do West Coast as well given there are direct flights, and there's a lot more commercial opportunity there. If it could work for the Jaguares it could work for a Californian team. Maybe a couple of other teams could play a 'home' game in the states somewhere so that the American team only plays ~5 away games in Aus/NZ instead of 7 or 8. (e.g. a couple of the teams playing the US twice could just play both games over there in consecutive weeks).

I suggested the Seawolves and Legion joining Super Rugby because in a lot of ways it would work better with 2 West Coast teams (Vancouver being another option if World Rugby want to help fund a Canadian team). Then they'd at least have 1 nearby away game, and teams going over there would mostly go on a 2 game tour without giving up a home game. It would require significant investment though.

 

[HogansHeros]

The only way it would work is to base them in Aus, sure they wont get much of a following in the US, but the aim is to build a competitive Eagles for the home WC.

 

[WorkingClassRugger]

There's been a lot of chat about 8 being the threshold - drop below that and the competition is in real trouble. I'm not sure if that was based on anything other than vibes, but this is a pretty dire development with Utah still on pretty shaky ground. If they were to go then Seattle would be the only foundation side left. The worry has to be that these departures are cascading and even the otherwise stable teams are at risk of closing if their owners decide the writing is on the wall.

Started off with 7 so not quite. But its certainly not good.

 

[WorkingClassRugger]

I guess a more realistic option could be the remaining MLR merging with Super Rugby Americas to become the North American conference. Or having a shorter combined cup competition in addition to the MLR/SRA to extend their calendar a bit. Then they might still be viable with 6 or 7 teams.

They could go with 7. The 1st season did. There were rumours about WR (World Rugby) funding a Canadian squad if they qualified for the RWC. Might still be 8. Either way.