Comments for Rugby America

Comment on Collegiate Men’s DI-AA & DII Playoff Brackets Released by RugbyAmerica

RugbyAmerica — Thu, 24 May 2012 13:08:43 +0000

Shaun,

Yes, very interesting release and it has been noticed for sure. I don’t have the venomous distaste for league that many have, but I’m also not that interested in it either. Union is far more interesting to me. If I wanted to see two teams bash into each other, reset, and do it again for four downs we have this thing called football that is far more entertaining.

I don’t see how this helps Union one iota here in the USA, not that GPE ever had any intention of supporting Union other than their 7′s committments. If anything, it will continue to confuse matters. I know the Rugby league people in the USA have been trying to co-op the 7′s movement since it was put in the Olympics and this will certainly help their efforts.

I have plenty thoughts on the subject, but I’m in the middle of giant move. I’ve been trying to put aside some time to get something together, but time is limited. I don’t expect to be back writing until July at the earliest.

Comment on Collegiate Men’s DI-AA & DII Playoff Brackets Released by Shaun Shepard

Shaun Shepard — Wed, 16 May 2012 17:46:10 +0000

Ok I know this is off topic… but no one in the rugby community appears to have seen this but me. As Union fan this press release has me very concerned..

GPE EXPANDS & ACQUIRES AMERICAN NATIONAL RUGBY LEAGUE

(GPE) Grand Prix Entertainment, formally
(GPR) Grand Prix Rugby.

http://www.grandprixentertainment.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=77:gpe-expands-acquires-american-national-rugby-league&catid=25:featured&Itemid=280

I’ve been expecting one of the rugby sites, specifically this one to post this to get some feedback going. But alas, I think their timing on the release was perfect with everything that is going on in Rugby Union right now.

Comment on NFL Network Named as Broadcast Partner for Grand Prix Rugby by yankee_rob

yankee_rob — Mon, 14 May 2012 21:08:13 +0000

One last thing. It really pisses me off that they are using rugby sevens being included into the Olympics as a way to promote their sport. Almost as if league were in the Olympics as well.

Comment on NFL Network Named as Broadcast Partner for Grand Prix Rugby by yankee_rob

yankee_rob — Mon, 14 May 2012 20:46:05 +0000

I agree. I am utterly confused. William Tatham has bought russell crowe and david niu’s bs. Why would they want to create a completely different type of sevens to compete with rugby sevens that just became an olympic sport? Why would you want to bring in league which has no foot print to compete with rugby (union) which is just starting to take off.

Personally I am firing off a letter to Grand Prix Rugby and Nigel Melville to them how pissed off I am as a ruby fan. Is there anyway USA Rugby can get out of there contract with GPR and give it to someone who wants to invest in rugby like USA Rugby Sevens LLC?

Comment on NFL Network Named as Broadcast Partner for Grand Prix Rugby by MattD

MattD — Mon, 14 May 2012 17:30:36 +0000

I was an ardent fan of Grand Prix Rugby right up until they purchased AMNRL. I now hope even their sevens competition is an epic failure. This sevens purchase was a trojan horse, and I bought it hook, line and sinker…. no more. On WeAreRugby.com they were talking about a “World Rugby League Sevens or Nines” competition…. Is this a fucking joke???

Well I’ll tell you one thing. They just lost me as a fan. What a shame. I finally thought something good was coming to rugby.And instead we get another attempt by League to destroy the great game.

Comment on NFL Network Named as Broadcast Partner for Grand Prix Rugby by yankee_rob

yankee_rob — Sun, 13 May 2012 09:44:09 +0000

I can’t help but think russell crowe is some where in the back ground quietly making all this happen. It is disappointing considering league has about 15 years of history and only 16 teams total in the US and Rugby (union) has 100 years of history, 100,000 players and over 300 teams. I have gone from being a fan of Grand Prix Rugby to hoping it flops.

William Tathams in his statement referred to Rugby Union as the NFL of the world, which tells me he views this whole thing as another USFL versus NFL crusade. People have this view of America that we have endless resources for new sports. I can tell you with confidence when league gets a professional competition it is going to be a real drain on rugby’s talent pool, coaches, sponsors and growing fan base. Any chance of winning a medal in the Olympics will go bye,bye. I say ban anything to do with Grand Prix Rugby until they decide to start a 15s competition.

Comment on NFL Network Named as Broadcast Partner for Grand Prix Rugby by workingclassrugger

workingclassrugger — Sun, 13 May 2012 00:22:03 +0000

It’s very disappointing and odd move to be honest. The AMNRL is a nothing organisation with a very, very limited competition and footprint. A 15s entity would have been the better option to secure the support of the US Rugby community.

Comment on NFL Network Named as Broadcast Partner for Grand Prix Rugby by yankee_rob

yankee_rob — Sat, 12 May 2012 09:51:01 +0000

WTF! It looks like Grand Prix Rugby have just bought the AMNRL! I thought they were going to invest in union and they have now done an about face.