Why has rugby never caught on in the US?

Question

Also, does anyone know where I can watch World Cup games in Wisconsin?

Answer 1

Bottom line is that it isn't televised AT ALL here in the U.S.... except if you're willing to get a special channel on DirecTV. Its not offered on cable stations. Most people don't even know what rugby is. And those of us that have figured it out, probably found the sport in college... and that was probably by accident. Someone once said to me... "I think i would like rugby... I like horses!" (she thought I was talking about polo!)

It is a growing sport though here. High Schools are starting to pick it up, especially in the North East. I live in the south and it is very difficult to field a full women's 15's side - we end up combining 3 cities... and then never have anyone to play! Slowly, but surely it is becoming more popular as people become more aware.

Answer 2

because we have football, a much more exciting and strategic form of rugby.

Answer 3

it did its just not very good

Answer 4

There are numerous reasons - most of them listed previously.

However, one major problem is that there is no financial gain for many Americans, and more importantly the better athletes, to get involved.

1.) Limited professional opportunities and international athletes have a 10 year headstart (better skills) on most Americans to get this money.

2.) No college scholarships or organization. Most college teams offer soccer scholarships, few offer scholarships for rugby. Who would they offer a scholarship to anyway? Very few high schools play rugby and the USARFU has done an extremely poor job of increasing the visibility in this area.

3.) Non Olympic sport - lessens the credibility, and definitely interest, in many Americans eyes.

I started playing overseas at 11 in secondary school and played off and on into my late 20's in the U.S. It's a great sport but until we give our athletes better reasons to play outside of enjoyment of the game, and participation at a younger age, we won't see much progress.

Answer 5

You can get rugby on Setanta sports north america. They show all the major games and are sure to have alot of the world cup. As to the original thrust of your question americans lwatch american sports and rugby just isn't one. All the money in the US is tied up in American football, Basketball, Baseball, Ice Hockey and more recently Football (soccer) For a relatively minor sport like rugby to get airtime the US public need to clamour for it and that just isn't happening. If the US can improve on a world stage i.e. beat argentina and canada to take top spot in the americas then it might gain more popularity. But I Can't see The NFL, NBA,  NHL  or Major league baseball giving up their dominance of the US airwaves any time soon. You can subscribe to watch all the major international games and  lots of us local ones too on, http://www.mediazone.com/channel/rugby/j...

And it costs only $99.99 for an all access pass. Enjoy, and watch the all blacks lift the cup in 2007!

Answer 6

A very hard question indeed. For us Kiwi's thank goodness it has yet to catch on in the States or Russia. You guys have the build and agility and speed but not the coordination which comes from playing the game from a young age. Like it is rumoured that a rugby ball awaits us as we pop out of our Mum's tummie, and socks and booties are placed onto our feet immediately.

I remember many years ago watching the American grizzlies out here in New Zealand (must be in the late 70's) and man they had some skills with the long throw and some good lineout jumpers.

Basically you need top quality coaches over there to teach kids ball skills from age of 3-4 onwards then the game might grow but you fasication with Gridiron will always be there .

But you have such a huge population that maybe oneday it will take off but then again Football hasn't really gone off.

cheers

Answer 7

rugby is boring...and get yourself a dish satellite and/or cable network that provides all sports channels all the time, everywhere...Good luck and may your team(s) win, eh?!

Answer 8

to be very honest, sports in usa is about sponsership, money and trade. due to also the racial problems this sports was turned down by people of usa and instead basket ball and baseball took roots.

Answer 9

because they prefer Lycra pants and helmets

Answer 10

B/c rugby morphed into football back in the early 1900s.  And it's not much of a spectator sport.  I love playing it, and watching from the stands can be fun, but I just can't sit through a whole game on TV, unlike football.  I like watching football's high speed, high flying collisions more than rugby's tackles.

Answer 11

We all know that rugby is played in America but like many sports America has adapted to its own version , rugby is very much a minority sport.

Like Baseball,Basketball and American Football , these sports have been adapted to suit American tastes and lifestyle (Many stoppages, Ability to change offensive/defensive teams and ,ofcourse, adapt to fit around T.V).

Most Americans that I have spoken too in New Zealand have grown to love Rugby but find it a little too brutal compared to American football due to the fact rugby players wear minimal padding .

As to a previous comment that Americans could easily be the best due to their 'superior" athleticism (lol) , no matter how talented you may think you are you still have to play at a top level too understand the game fully.

There are many countries that have a greater player base than New Zealand

(England , Argentina, France etc) but New Zealand still produce the most consistent rugby teams in world rugby.

It would be great for the game if Americans got more involved but to assume they will be automatically the best is a joke (unless they create their own 'world series' that only they  play in - Hey it works for them in Baseball and American football)

Answer 12

Do you guys have "The Score" in America? It occasionally plays rugby matches. Also your CSTV, college sports television plays college matches. You'll also be pleased to know your U21 all American team beat our U21 Canada team.

Answer 13

Lack of youth programs would be my guess.  Lacrosse caught on here in the Denver area a few years ago and now it is one of the most participated in youth sports here.  if given a chance Rugby could do similar things I imagine.

Answer 14

You need to look up certain programs that you can order on satellite or cable, we do it because I know a lot of the players in the USA team and I'm getting pretty serious about playing, but I have no idea what to do if you live in Wisconsin, because I live in California

Answer 15

its probably your area.  rugby is huge on the west coast.

Answer 16

I also play rugby for a high school team in wisconsin (Waukesha) and I've often asked myself the same question. In my opinion I think rugby is a growing sport especially in the midwest. We have about 30 high shool teams and many more mens league teams. But I'd blame people just not willing to try something new. There's not as much of an opportunity to play rugby in the states. I guarantee if every football player played rugby, rugby would be much more popular then American football. I've found myself wanting to quit football to focus more on rugby

Answer 17

Well,probably for a few reasons.Them being,firstly

Americans see rugby as similar to American football but without padding(which in not true).And as we know,Americans like the whole helmet,pads,dress up thing,so they are not going to change their minds about rugby to quickly.Secondly,compared to rugby,in America,

American football has a fan base 100x bigger.Ask a American did they watch the rugby on the weekend

and they will probably think wtf?Also they see rugby as a less physical more tiring game when in reality they have never seen/played it.So,it will take a while to persuade Americans that a contact sport minus the pads,half time shows,cheerleaders,hot dogs,and all sorts of other c**p (different rules)actually make a better sport.Until then

WALES FOR THE WORLD CUP!

CYMRU AM BYTH!

Saying that though,amature football is quite good

and possibly on level terms with rugby.

thanx

Answer 18

we have had IRB 7's tournment here in California

Its been going on since the last 4 yrs..

there are alot of fans

its a growin sport

Answer 19

Lack of media coverage and short attention span of many Americans.  Two 40 minute half's with no breaks for commercials.  Kind of like soccer, which still is not that big - but they are getting sponsors.  Also the laws (rules).  Americans do not understand them, and don't seem willing to learn.  Rugby is making a comeback, although slowly.  From colleges to local teams, it is growing.  I started playing this year on a newly formed team and we will be traveling the Northeast for our games.  I have seen a few clubs for kids, and they are pretty good.  Setanta Sports on Direct TV is the only place to watch live World Cup matches.

Answer 20

Because before it had a real chance to catch on, it started evolving into American Football.  No other reason.  I personally like watching rugby when I get a chance, but it will never be as big as Soccer, Hockey Basketball, Baseball or Football

Answer 21

Because football is better and rugby is boring

Answer 22

Its a mystery to us all thank god, because if they could tap into the amazing resources they have in the USA they would beat the All Blacks with ease.  That's just how talented they really are.  Just look at American Football and any other mayor sports, basketball, athletics, power lifting, baseball, athletics.  We wouldn't have a chance.  The only reason why it hasn't developed is because it is a new and basically a novelty sport just like soccer was in the 1970's.  It needs time to develop and grow.  I guess we will have to wait and see until 2037 huh, to see the progress it will make.

Answer 23

the answer is simple. Americans like to do stuff there own way. instead of rugby you have gridiron, instead of softball or cricket you have baseball, everyone drives on the left but not in ole USA got to drive on the right.

and besides rugby is to flowing of a game to have stoppages for commercials every 3 minutes.

Answer 24

americans are scared because they hear of no pads like football and think it is too violent and rated as R. all softies here in the USA i wish it would rise and become like the NFL

Answer 25

Rugby in the USA was big at a time! I know for certain that in 1926 rugby was still a olympic sport but that was the last year. That year france played USA in the final but i think france won that game. I think why americans don't play it that much is because they didn't have any competion close to them and it would have cost a lot of money to travel overseas every game because in those days the sport was only played for fun and the players did not get paid.