Heavy costs in 2009 test schedule

The 2009 test schedule demonstrates that USA Rugby's Eagle ambitions carry opportunity costs exceeding the $1+ million cash outlay, much of them borne by the broader playing community.

In siting the Canadian World Cup qualifier, for example, the union sensibly enough responded to financial incentive. But the move undermines a major regional tournament that's older than the union itself and an important feeder event for the 7s team -- which has been far better performed than the 15s unit.

Trampling the Cape Fear 7s follows decisions to calendar tests with Ireland the same weekend as the national club championships, and Wales on the opening weekend of the Churchill Cup. Last summer, the US met a French club team during the club 7s finals.

Club-country conflicts arise in every union. The tension is all but inevitable since players and fans want to compete in or watch the best games, which generally require the same personnel.

But having declared it was rationalizing the end-of-season championships (and in so doing, quietly burying the Inter-Territorial Tournament), Boulder has now managed to step on the club finals anyway. In the past the union has been somewhat more adroit, by finalizing the schedule earlier in the year or moving test venues to complement domestic fixtures, such as the 1997 Wales international staged at Cape Fear.

Outside the domestic realm lies the clash between Wales in Chicago and the Churchill in Denver (where the club finals will have been the week before). Given USARFU's long-held desire to stage the entire tournament in America, the kindest thing that can be said about the divided focus is it's ironic.

But it is not unreasonable to imagine Boulder's full-timers could have negotiated better arrangements, or even to ask whether the matches should have been declined. Unlike the Churchill or the RWC qualifiers, the event costs of 'friendlies' are borne by USA Rugby.

Of course, players too bear costs in the form of six-plus weeks away from work, as well as the uncertainty of knowing whether they are in the still-unannounced player pool.

Comments

[London Calling]

Nice work Nigel. Is there a job you can take back home in England yet ? The RFU could use your type of expertise there more than we could.

Let us know where to forward your mail.

[reputation]

Kurt- Sorry about being off topic, but when is USAR going to wake up to the trouble this Glendale guy Dunafon is going to get US rugby in.

I followed up on the CBS link someone left and this is just the most recent serious allegation against him. Each time rugby's name gets dragged through the mud.

Why has USAR decided to get into bed with these this guy, with these guys.

[greasy puppeteer]

Glendale is what USA Rugby is.
They are meant for each other.

I'm sure if USA Rugby was investigated you would also see many improprieties as well.

It happens when ego driven individuals get to make up their own rules.

Glendale has built something while lining the pockets of their friends, big deal. Give them a pass.

USA Rugby has built nothing, and has lined the pockets of people they wouldn't be invited to dinner with.

When these clowns cruise, strings will be pulled - will there be anything left?

[firenigel.com]

How about six figures worth of missing dues money in one of our TU's?

We need roach repellent to be around these rugby administrators.

And Glendale, don't even get me going!

[wtf]

Another off topic comment.

I would like all the Kevin Roberts and Nigel Melville supporters to explain why Scott Johnson is still going to the Boulder USAR office each day and sitting at a desk doing nothing?

He then goes out to lunch and talks trash about the USAR executives with the other employees then goes home, only to return the next day.

What a childish approach to someone quitting their job. You make them sit and no doing all day to collect the balance of their contract?

Is this why EOS has been delayed weeks from starting?

Pay Johnson whatever you owe him and end this game of chicken so the grownups can turn the page.

What real life CEO would engage in this type of child like behavior. What kind of money/game losing business are we running?

Johnson quit more than a month ago and he has gone into the office each and every day because Melville was so pissed he cut off his own nose to spite his face.

The culture in the office is at an all time low. WTF is going on.

[Flynn Hagerty]

Is or has Johnson been willing to forgo the money and just go?

Even if he wasn't, I would have just told Scott to go to Oz and hang out, you're not needed, but I don't see why USAR and Johnson can't just split the difference and get this mess over with.

[Oliver Stone]

Puppeteer-USARFU gave them a pass over that eligibility issue during last Spring's 15's season.Glendale repaid them by ignoring eligibility requirements during the 7's season as well.There is a pattern here.What sort of deals are being brokered between Glendale and USARFU? Those stories from CBS 4 Denver do not paint a pretty picture.

[Who owns the Eagles brand?]

Olly,
USArFU, like Glendale, has no need for rules or representing its tax paying base.

This seems to be a common theme today as our leaders seem to focus on creating a kaleidoscope from transparency from day one on the job.

Don't be fooled by USArFU, their scope looks a lot different from their viewpoint looking out, than our viewpoint looking in.

[Kevgel Melvberts]

Checklist:
Devalue all of the major comps.
(check)
Short the Eagles brand.
(check)
Get more welfare.
(check)
Create an unstructured atmosphere.
(check)
Hire a lawyer.
(check)
Create a smokescreen.
(check)
Fiddle around with the charter
(check)
Create long term control and annuities for current USA Rugby leadership by setting up a professional team.
(pending)
Extend credit line and start building a stadium
(pending)
Sell off pieces of USA Rugby
(pending)
Leave USA Rugby with nothing but 300 National Guard Jerseys and 10 sets of goal post pads and a large financial deficit.
(pending)

[Where's the Dough?]

Which TU had the missing dues money?

I heard about one LAU in the northwest a few years back that couldn't track any of its money. Simply couldn't find any records and the money was gone. The guy with the bad bookkeeping habits is still on the board though. Crazy.

Some of these TU's aren't registered corporations and don't file tax returns. See if you can find your LAU/TU registered with your local secretary of state.

Maybe we need to out some of these closed door folks and the people who enable them.

[different TU]

The MARFU put out a letter which some have seen, concerning $150,000. that has gone missing. Two executives were named and have been removed. Criminal/legal action underway.

This transparency meltdown started with the Kevin Roberts USAR board and has now spread to the TU's.

Even with the worst of news, nobody feels responsible to tell the membership anything.

How insulting can this get. They are shite at their responsibilities and they cop to nothing.