'You seem to really like 7s', a friend observed last week.
'Largely because I like its business prospects', came my response. We agreed on preferring 15s, and viewing the full game's success as the long-run measure of America's achievement.
It's therefore most encouraging that Saturday's Cal-UBC match can be portrayed in the same flattering light as last weekend's USA 7s tournament. Though the context and scale are different, both are sustainable, America-friendly models.
The first National Guard Game of the Week [sic] was an outstanding demonstration of what US college rugby can become. To high caliber (UBC competes in British Columbia's senior-most league), nationally televised, and lucrative (through ticketing, concessions, merchandise, etc), add popular on campus.
Much larger than old boys and players' families and friends, the crowd included school alumni with no apparent rugby ties and above all run-of-the-mill students. In the stands, I sat next to undergraduates, some well versed in Cal rugby and others less so, who spent the afternoon chatting about coursework. Evidently the game fell into the same category as baseball or soccer: a source of school pride as well as weekend entertainment.
Cal fields some 27 varsity sports, and rugby outdraws the majority of them, including baseball and track, according to team management. That is significant because it shows rugby can break into America's mainstream without NCAA sanction or athletic scholarships.
Student enthusiasm is an important part of the varsity model, because it ratifies the sport in the eyes of athletes and administrators. Television, that other great validator, does not come along every day; but will more often if rugby is playing to sold-out audiences.
Related: Univ. of California 31 Univ. of British Columbia 15 (halftime: Cal 11-8)
Good post Kurt, makes sense.
Different topic, did you guys hear Bruce McLane tear into the USAR joke squad? Bruce is so on to these guys. I wish he would tell everything he knows.
Posted by: ARN pod cast | 23 February 2009 at 12:58
What I know is not secret, if you ask around, it is easy to find out. I just can't say it publicly on the podcast. Essentially, some of the rumors that you hear being bandied about could very well be true, especially if they come from solid rugby people.
Posted by: bruce mclane | 23 February 2009 at 14:07
Bruce,
Thanks for keeping us informed. Love your podcasts. What's it going to take to get rid of these knuckle heads and get power back to the membership, the stake holders and dues payers?
Holding that International against Ireland on the same weekend as the National Playoffs is a f--k you to all the clubs competing for a championship.
Posted by: lv_rugger | 23 February 2009 at 14:22
You should really watch what you say Bruce. To paint people as incompetent and not support it with facts is unethical for someone that is on a "news" show (podcast). I know you are not a journo, but in any professional environment you wouldn't say that I know stuff about why someone isn't performing in their job and not have facts. Either put up the facts on the podcast, or shut your pie hole.
Posted by: Professionalism | 23 February 2009 at 14:32
The comments are supported by facts. I am not a journo, but the facts are laid out, just not every single fact is put forth. Enough facts are presented to justify my comments and I always use my name.
Posted by: bruce mclane | 23 February 2009 at 14:37
Slamming the USA Rugby administration and supporting it with "I got stories", and then making excuses why you are going to lose a game to Cal that hasn't been played yet really shows your colors. Maturity is not your strong suit.
Posted by: Professionalism | 23 February 2009 at 14:49
Cut Bruce a break. I bet Cal didn't take his comments as excuses. He was just talking about the match.
Its so good to have somebody stand up to these pretender, we should give Bruce some slack. Its better than rolling over and playing dead like the congress is doing.
Posted by: You go Bruce | 23 February 2009 at 15:41
I am all for Bruce putting the current administration's foot to the fire, but he should write an open letter to the rugby membership with opinions and facts. Not just ramble on like a housewife unhappy with the state of the PTA at her kid's school. If you have facts lay them out for the membership to rise to remove the administration. It wasn't until Don James and Billups made formal written notices that the Arnott era ended. Drop the street talk and pick up a pen Bruce.
Posted by: Pen is Mightier Than the Loudmouth | 23 February 2009 at 16:00
I slammed USA rugby with facts.
1 Eddie O'Sullivan was offered a job that he accepted before USA 7's. No action taken.
2 Melville and board members met O'Sullivan in London to discuss job again.
3 Melville said in an interview that he would have a coach by end of week of Feb 20, still no coach.
4 USA Rugby scheduled a test v Ireland on May 31st the Sunday of Club Championships and made no announcement to clubs to make plans. USA Rugby promised that if games were finished prior to June 1, they would not ask for players for test matches. The RSL even asked about playing in fall and the May finish was what Melville said he wanted. We complied and were backstabbed.
5 Bledisloe Cup did not happen.
6 I discussed the Cal v NYAC game to analyze who was playing and where the teams were. My assessment of the players and teams was accurate from my point of view.
I chose to criticize USA Rugby and their indecisiveness with regard to this and their deceptiveness to the clubs. All of these are factual and legit and in my mind worthy of criticism.
I never make excuses with regard to games. We took the game because Cal is the premier program in the country and we want to take the opportunity to play them. I have publicly thanked Jack Clark on a couple podcasts for making the game happen.
Posted by: Bruce McLane | 23 February 2009 at 16:07
Bruce, don't let this guy get you worked up. Just keep blasting these USAR jerks.
JC wouldn't have taken your comments as anything other than a preview of the match, your preview, but a preview nevertheless.
If we don't draw a line in the sand we won't have a rugby union by the time these punks fly off home.
keep fighting the fight Bruce.
Posted by: usar not | 23 February 2009 at 16:35
I hear you Bruce !
If more people in our little village called rugby were as passionate and driven as you are about the game we might not only get rid of some of these folks drawing paychecks for bad decisions, but even get somewhere with the advancement of the game !
Posted by: John Streets | 23 February 2009 at 16:36
Agree or not with what people like Bruce says, we pay these folks a large portion of what they take home and what they operate with. We have the right to be critical of USA Rugby if we don't think it is doing what it should. USA Rugby could do better, being quiet may not let them know that we think this way.
Posted by: Eric Keys | 23 February 2009 at 20:06
The Board is not going anywhere. They Maintain control by creating flux for potential threats and undermine anything new.
Board Motto:
Divide, Hide, Give 'em the Astroglide.
Posted by: Hot seat | 23 February 2009 at 21:01
Bruce is right on.
Except for the notion that Eddie O is going to improve USA Rugby.
The delay is one of three scenarios, choose one, Nigel is having trouble:
A) CEO leveraging an extension so he can collect a USArFU paycheck until 2011 while living across the pond.
B) The IRB, the Board, and CEO are trying to figure out how they can work out the "private" sale of USA Eagles to the IRB.
C) Just a big ruse by USArFU Board and Melville to squeeze more money out of the IRB. Once he does this, he is granted an extension to 2016. Nigel becomes interim Coach, chooses an American Head coach after he screws up the pool. Then he gets back to the business of undermining our Union.
Posted by: Nostradamus Rugby | 23 February 2009 at 21:34
Bruce - take a chill .... It's still February. If the Eagles coach is not in place for another two weeks it will not matter - so long as the right guy is chosen. USA Rugby needs to get it done right, not get it done right away. The Scott Johnson debacle is evidence enough.
Regarding the Ireland test. It's February - that gives teams plenty of time to prepare. What would the clubs do differently if they had known a month ago?
Also - how long have negotioations been on for this test match and when was it confirmed? If it was a month or two ago then yes US rugby should be taken to task. If it was a week ago then I think it's a little harsh to say that US Rugby has stabbed the RSL in the back.
Would it be better to not hold this match? Deny the Eagles an opportunity to play a high level match for the sake of having a handful of players available for the RSL final?
How many Eagles were playing during the finals last year? Who is to say that US Rugby will force the clubs to give up their players? Given the numerous commitments in 2009 the Ireland match gives an opportunity to test a few players.
If the RSL wants to withold players from representing the Eagles per the agreement with US rugby then go ahead and pursue that avenue.
The Bledisloe Cup - USA Rugby stated at the outset that this was something the Denver Sports Commission was pursuing. It was not their's to win or lose.
Frankly it is best that this match NOT be held in the US this year as it is not likely to be successful.
US Rugby is not on the hook for this - they were wise to stay away.
Bruce - it would be nice to hear what positive suggestions you have as to how US Rugby could improve. Pointing out what has gone wrong is the easy part.
How about an opinion column about what you would do to fix US Rugby. No doubt you have some good suggestions ...
Posted by: offer some solutions | 24 February 2009 at 09:41
I have plenty of solutions and offer them all the time, both in articles and on podcasts.
I will certainly offer them to you when you sign your name. I always sign my name.
If you are so eager for my solutions, it is easy to get a hold of me by phone and email.
Your post suggests that you are very knowledgeable on matters, so why would you not put your name to your statements. It helps the discussion when you have the self confidence to stand by your posts with your name.
If you really want to know what I think, call me.
Posted by: bruce mclane | 24 February 2009 at 10:10
Im sure if Kurt does a search of the above URL address it would lead to Boulder! Tell it like it is Bruce, you will be proven right in time.
Posted by: Right On Bruce! | 24 February 2009 at 11:07
OK .. I'll bite! I was putting my name on posts for a long long time and simply got tired of getting dumped on for holding points of view that differ from the majority of the crowd by those that didn't bother to put their names on pointless attacks.
I'm pretty thick skinned but why bother to put yourself out there for attack by those that are not willing to identify themselves. And for that you are right Bruce!
More than once I have suggested to Kurt that a minimal requirement for participation on this board require a name.
I have more than once admitted I was wrong - particularly in defending Scott Johnson.
I'm still not ready to give up on Melville because I think he was sold the same bill of goods that Johnson was but instead of quitting he has tried to make a difference. That's not to say I think the guy is perfect or agree with all he has to say.
I know little more than what I read on here or other posts and I am most certainly not affiliated with US Rugby in any way shape or form.
My personal opinion is that the US should simply walk away from international rugby at the Sr level (with the exception of 7's) and concentrate on the game here in the states and internationally at the age grade level.
I have little doubt that once the game is well established in the colleges and a semi pro style league similar to lacrosse can get off the ground the US will be ready to compete with almost anyone in the world.
We don't have the resources to be everything for everybody so lets focus on where we can have an impact that will last and is sustainable. I respect the Eagle players for their hard work and sacrifice but US Rugby is not in the position to support a vibrant national team and develop the base of the game at the same time presently.
In the end we pay millions for the hope of one or two good wins but have laid no true foundation for the game.
We have tried the top / down approach since the inception of the Union in 1975. It didn't work then, it doesn't work now (particularly with professionalism in the established countries) and it is not going to work 10 years from now.
Doing the same thing again and again and expecting different results is a definition of insanity. Seems to fit the mentality of US Rugby though ...
That said I think the iRB does a crap job at promoting the game and the claims that the RWC is the thrid biggest sporting event are suspect at best. The report published in the UK last fall pretty much demonstrates that the RWC is little more than a private party to which the likes of the US are there our of necessity while gaining no benefits.
Already it looks like the 2015 and 2019 RWC tournaments are going to be held in England and South Africa.
So much for growing the game.
If the IRB were good businessmen they would be giving away broadcasts of top level games to develop a market for the sport just as the NFL did to gain a foothold in the UK.
In a nutshell I say develop the youth and college game now ... then go after the clubs and after those areas have been adequately addressed re-enter the world game as true competitors.
There ya go Bruce. I claim no great wisdom but those are my general thoughts and opinions on the game.
Posted by: Doug Lyons | 24 February 2009 at 11:47
Doug,
Your posts are always good and it is important to keep signing your name, it is good to let people know that you stand by your words.
I agree that rugby should focus a lot on grass roots. The fact is we are going to participate in international rugby and the reality is that it is important for credibility and to get players placed overseas.
That being said.
1 I would have boulder be slashed from providing services outside of the elite game mandated by the IRB. meaning 7's, 15,s U-20's.
2 I would give them a vig of 20-25% of CIPP dues to do it with. this may mean dues need to be raised a little.
3 the other 75% or so would go back into the game that had the money, i.e. colleges men and women, HS men and women, Clubs.
4 each group would have trustees to spend the money. so if there were 10,000 college men and their 75% was say $300,000. the trustees of college may choose to spend 30k on championships. 100k on a tour for the all americans, 75k on TV production, 50k on an admin person and save the rest or do something with it. this would be the same for all groups.
5 senior men have no real need for the dough outside of maybe a few TV productions. they could earmark money to the HS and College game as well as to the senior men's eagles.
6 these trustees are easily removed as they are part of a system that they run. they are all in it together.
7 if the senior men don't like a board member, but no one else cares, we are stuck with them. i prefer a less centralized approach
8 boulder people and nigel were brought here for the elite game and that is where they should focus, we have many good people that could use their resources for the betterment of rugby as they saw it
9 nothing is perfect and this isn't either. it is laden with issues that could crop up
10 boulder is trying to do everything and accomplishing nothing. decentralization of power and giving money back to the taxpayers may do that.
11 it is important to have a coach to do planning, so one should be chosen soon.
12 no plan or vision is perfect, but we must have a plan or vision and go with it. decisions are generally not inherently right or wrong, you make a decision and work to make it right.
13 we struggle with indecisiveness and the fact that we are told one thing and another thing is reality. we can't have centralization trying to be all things to all people.
14 i went to 14 because 13 is supposedly bad luck and although i am not superstitious, i just did it anyway
Posted by: bruce mclane | 24 February 2009 at 12:14
Good ideas. Breaking things down into managable accountable components that have a degree of flexibility to be successful makes sense.
All the components do need to be talking together so that when a tet match with Ireland comes up the communication is clear.
And use things like this as an opportunity. Doesn't it make the world of sense to have the RSL championship at the same venue as the Ireland test if the two do have to take place the same weekend?
I will agree that if an annuncement is made that a coach will be named by Date X then when that date comes and goes without comment people are going to begin to ask questions - particularly when credibility has yet to be established.
Anyhow - your ideas are interesting and appreciated.
Thanks!
Posted by: Doug Lyons | 24 February 2009 at 12:46
Help Wanted: USA Rugby looking for MNT coach. Qualified candidates must have prior experiance preparing a MNT for the World Cup and hands on knowledge on rugby in America.
There are only 3 possible candidates... 2 of them are working at Cal, and the other should have been hired 2 weeks ago.
USA Sevens was the perfect venue to announce the new MNT coach. Media were already there, the rugby world was looking our way, and the right man had been located.
The timing was just perfect....and they blew it.
Posted by: Old Beaver | 24 February 2009 at 14:29
Doug,
I like your ideas better, they're cleaner, more to the point. We need a broad change of direction and your overview is the correct approach.
Focus and spent everything we have on building HS and college rugby, together with a elite senior mens competition.
Let the Eagles limp by on a fraction of the resources we are currently providing. They will win more matches with a Yankee attitude. In a few years time US rugby will be pumping some players out and we can set some test goals.
Bruce, you still need to keep up the fight against Melville and this Board of frauds. Remember we can't get on with things until these punks pack up and leave. You have a way of cutting through the shit and just telling it like it is, keep going dude.
Don't the two of you know congress people who will join the fight.
Posted by: peace pipe | 24 February 2009 at 21:08
USA Rugby is already decentralizing with the SBOs for High School rugby. My guess is that the college game is next, with the formation of semi-autonomous collegiate conferences. So this is already in process, we just need to understand that there is a lot of politics to get through to get it done.
Unfortunately IRB money comes to USAR for specific tasks that are not controlled by USAR. Melville went to the IRB to ask for an increase in funding for grassroots, and they turned him down. The IRB gives the money for the same thing in different countries, which is a one-size-fits-all approach. That does not work for USA, but turning it down would be stupid.
Posted by: Former HS Coach | 25 February 2009 at 07:10
HS Coach,
The leadership chose the approach which is now failing, stop blaming the IRB and defending these posers.
That's like Scott Johnson blaming USArFU because his backs play and lineouts suck.
Posted by: shrugby | 25 February 2009 at 08:28
Bruce- I've written in to ARN a few times concerning the state of USA Rugby. I'm a novice to the sport compared to a lot of guys here, but I have caught on quickly to what rugby is and currently all about. I found out that the head of the nominations committee for the board is Frank Merrill. I don't know alot about him but if enough of the USA Rugby membership voice their displeasure with the B.O.D.'s lack of initiative, drive, work ethic and even EXISTANCE, do you think that would at least give a gentle nudge to him to get them to put up or get out?
From how it sounded from your last podcast or something I had read online, it sounds like the coach they hire will only be there until the RWC 2011 and then possibly an American would take over after that. Is that what they're thinking about doing?
On a seperate note, I work in the middle east and am going to be heading to the 7's World Cup next week. There WILL be pictures taken for you guys who cant go. I'll let you know how it goes. I'm really stoked on the Eagles chances there, although it looks like a lot of the other teams have totally stocked up on some XV's fliers brought down for this.
Posted by: David C. | 25 February 2009 at 23:14
HS coach/dumbass,
The irb grants are somewhat different for each tier two.
NM asking for more money to fund "grass roots" was always going to get a no. There is no more money, they're giving us millions.
What Melville needed to do in Dublin was explain that funding the Eagles with millions was never going to get us to the stated goal of the RWC quarters. And that only an investment in the heart of US rugby would achieve this goal.
He didn't do this. Because he doesn't know what he's doing. He does have the slightest idea how US HS or college sports work. He can't envision the power of rugby being a mainstream HS sport. He can't envision 50 good university rugby programs and what kind of athletes they would produce.
He is a dumbass and you are a dumbass for defending him.
Posted by: dumass patrol | 26 February 2009 at 07:37