Do Americans watch international rugby?

Question

Like the current tri-nations games between SA AUZ and NZ, Its great watching, I watch alot of USA sports and was interested in knowing if they watch us?

Answer 1

I'm from Northern New York in the US and I LOVE the All Blacks. I just recently traveled to NZ and me and my friends fell in love with rugby. We are definitely following the Tri-nations and are rooting for NZ (if you haven't guessed). I traveled as a People to People Student Ambassador and our delegation manager was Sarah Carter (Dan's sister)! So we watched rugby games with her, she's the one that really got us into it and now I'm hooked. It's just hard to try to watch it in the US because we have to buy a special channel that shows it. I'll do whatever it takes to keep up with the All Blacks!

Answer 2

I have freinds in the states and as they are very patriotic kiwis and ozzies they are absolutely frustrated that they find it difficult at times to watch any of our codes. My older brother lived in Hawaii for quite a few years attending Uni. I had to send video recordings of AB matches and State of Origin games to him so he could get his fix.

Rugby is predominately played at Universities an some high schools in the states but over the years there has been a growing club competition on both the east and west coasts. Amongst the expat pacific islanders and kiwi's Union and league are quite popular in Utah due to their religious pilgrimage.

As for them watching us....they do not understand any of our sports yet they are played globally....they do not understand cricket which is the australian national sport and played all over the world....rugby included...league is still in its infancy there...soccer has become popular over the past 10 years in the states as it is a sport that can be played by smaller shorter kids that have height and size issues for basketball and gridiron....

The corporate dollar has alot to do with what sports are saturated on pay for view as well as free to air in every country so as there are no major companies in the states sponsoring our sports in their country they will never be exposed to what we watch and vice versa. However, the states has been targeted by all our codes as they know that if they were able to attract any interest with participation then they are banking for the future of their sports as there is an untapped resource there.

Imagine rugby taking over the US....they are bigger stronger and faster athletes. Maybe not in my time but it would be something to see.

Answer 3

yes.

there are local clubs which are often sponsored by local bars where the games can be watched live. i play locally here in the san fernando valley (north los angeles) and we go to the springbok bar to catch the games. sometimes they are at 1 in the morning, and some games have been at 6 in the morning. if its a really important game they will show it live.

local law states alcohol cannot be served after 2am. so they will clear the drinks and stay open for the duration of the game, then kick everyone out.

for regular joes who want to watch rugby but dont have access to a rugby bar nearby, they can television service from direct tv and if they sign up for setanta sports, they can watch all the rugby they want.

yes. americans do watch rugby. but few know anything about it. most clubs are comprised of expatriates from all over africa, europe, south america, australasia, the pacific islands and so on. with a few american players thrown in.

about half the players in our club are americans.

Answer 4

Direct TV and now Time Warner Cable does offer rugby games but good luck finding them. People do watch rugby but it is mostly people in the rugby community.  

Answer 5

They don't give a rat's *** about "us".

Too busy shovelling fast foods into their obse frames, abusing drugs, playing with hand guns, pornography, and tv game shows.

Most sepos would be challenged with the task of finding NZ on the map. I once had a conversation with some Canadians and a Yank about currency. When the sepo asked what currency we used in NZ I replied "dollars". Her response was " Oh, you use American dollars in New Zealand!" I just smiled and nodded, as did the Canadians.

Answer 6

No, unfortunetly.  I play rugby in the states, but there is no where to watch it.  You can buy it for like a lot of $$/month if you have a dish or direct tv (which means no1 gets it except australian immigrants etc.)  Like some1 said above ^^^, a bunch of Irish pubs will show games (via Dish or Direct TV).  It really sucks.  The sport is in the shadows of American Football.  I like American Football as well and I think both are the best sports to watch on TV.  However, Americans are so attached to Football growning up that the little they may see of rugby (through a movie , w.e ) they reject.  Rugby is growning in popularity though, through high school and college clubs.  The future generations of Americans will soon grow up watching and experiencing both sports.  For now, its all American Football.  I dont really care much about it though.  As long as I can play rugby, i'm fine.  Nothing compares to the thrill of playing rugby (not even US football).