BBC Rugby Union: USA’s Big Week, Kolisi’s Exit, and the Speed of Set-Pieces

The Long Journey Begins for USA Rugby

The project to elevate rugby’s profile in the United States ahead of the 2031 and 2033 Rugby World Cups is a long-term, high-risk, high-reward strategy. However, the past fortnight has seen the USA take some positive strides in the right direction.

The emergence or re-emergence of the women’s national team through Olympic glory, coupled with the growing popularity of player Ilona Maher on social media, has brought rugby sharply into the spotlight, capturing the attention of NFL fans.

Last weekend, it was the men’s turn. While the focus was not on the international stage, the final of Major League Rugby (MLR) provided a sporting spectacle and a professionally-organized event. Despite some hiccups, the record attendance, the championship team receiving a police escort, and a 40% increase in overall league attendance from the previous season all point to the game growing at a comfortable and sustainable pace in the country.

Kolisi’s Struggle in France

Siya Kolisi is not the first overseas superstar to struggle to find his footing in France, and he won’t be the last. The language, food, accommodation, climate, and other factors can make the transition difficult for both the player and their family. Additionally, the weight of expectation on players like Kolisi, who are expected to perform at an elite level and be a cut above the rest, can be unrealistic.

Kolisi’s occasional poor performances for the Sharks and Stormers back home were overlooked, but in France, where the teams are bankrolled by private wallets, the bottom line is the priority. Injuries in the physically demanding French league can also prove costly for players.

Speeding Up Set-Pieces

The upcoming Rugby Championship will feature a new rule to speed up the setup of set-pieces. This is a welcome change, as the close, tense matches often see the leading team using delaying tactics to run down the clock. The new rule should help maintain the flow and intensity of the game, adding an extra element of peril in the closing stages, as it should be.

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