A Giant Awakens - 135 years of rugby in the US

[fatboy5006]

the entire point of a film like this is to show that rugby is in the long history of american sports... not that we are the best, cause we obviously are not, we may never be, but the point is that we need to support the movement, i played 4 years of college football and now play rugby and love it... where else can a linemen (in football) get to score and run the ball, and believe me rugby is much tougher physically and mentally

[19EHF]

135 years of rugby? I didnt even know the US had a rugby team untill last year. Football is our version of rugby i always assumed rugby was a European version of football. But I love rugby, just now getting into it and yes i am a girl

[aseroxmilez]

Just so you know guys USA did NOT dominate the sport back then LOL it was and still is the All Blacks. I guess they just put that nonsense in there to hype USA rugby up. Lol

[waqarkhan25]

don't worry American's you will get there evry thing takes time at you should be happy that USA is the only team to have the rugby Olmypics not one but two Olmypics Gold medals & guest what you Rugby team is the favourite to you third Olmypics Rugby Gold Medals so don't for get all New zealand is coming to get you & Austrilan,Britton sorry Great Britton,etc

[quentinlilo1980]

you eagles are lucky that you have great training facilities, even rugby balls, in Fiji as youngsters you learn to play rugby with coconuts

[h7p10]

If only the USA went pro like ENG, NZL, AUS, FRA, ITA, JAP, SA, and so on ... now you've been left behind

[Freelancer0191]

I at least respect you trying to talk in a language you clearly don't know, but really? No sh*t the Eagles got embarrassed, so did Japan, Russia, Canada, the list goes on. Good to know one loss means we should give up in the eyes of some couch scrum-half. I'm excited to be both a part of and a witness to the rise of rugby in America - it's going to happen. No we may not rise to a power-house authority, but the popularity will certainly boom. Plus... playing rugby in the USA gets you laid.. fact.

[Freelancer0191]

athletes playing other sports. If the Eagles threw together a starting 15 from their NFL & Basketball talent pool, we would be putting up much better numbers - also assuming they grew up with the sport. And to all us American - No we're definitely not going to be the best any time soon. Get over it. As an American I can say we need to really accept the fact we're not as great as we think we are at everything. And to the foreigners who can't even put together a coherent sentence in English -

[Freelancer0191]

So tired of reading the same thing everywhere. First off: As a former college football player, and a college rugby player who's had the opportunity to play in Scotland, Australia & New Zealand I can say both are tough in their own way. People need to get over that shit. Secondly, no shit America isn't going to be up to par in rugby. There's a lot of reasons, and this board is prime example - how much support do they have? Yes we're relatively new to the rugby world, yes we have much better

[hazza3]

I wouldn't say that the Eagles suck, but they aren't a top tier team like Ireland or South Africa.

The US Rugby Union actually has some surprisingly good players, but the problem is that most of these guys don't grow up with Rugby like South Africa and Ireland players do, so its a lot harder for them.

[tazwildcat7]

A Giant Awakens sorry they still suck 66-5 still no difference from 4-8-12 years ago what ever they are doing the egales still suck an embarressment to america. how can these scurbs play egales live with themslebs should be ashamed never come back usa got embarressed infron of whole woeld 66-5 no other usa team sucks that bad must be a record for a usa team to lose by. everything i see the usa post man van eagle i laugh in disgust. we should all write a lett to oboma to pull eagles until cn win

[oJKBo]

lol it's funny how more people know that george bush was a cheerleader than that he played rugby. In fact, i didn't even hear george bush and bill clinton played rugby until yesterday. We may be the only country to have 2 national leaders play a very popular international sport, yet not air said sport....ever. Only the USA Ireland game was aired lol, first free airing of the russia match was today. Rugbys never gonna catch on lol, people are too obsessed with other sports

[peeweemen1]

"US rugby has a chance to shine again at the 2016 Olympics"? do you not follow international rugby at all?

[LevDubDK]

I'm Welsh and I am happy that this sport is getting popular in other countries, it is a fun and exciting sport to watch. Hope this growth continues!

[iamthedarkavenger]

@TheXUKzclan Yeah well we are awesome at killing people. So fuck you.

[superbill3001]

i don't why you yanks rip on your own rugby team? i reckon if your rugby team played NFL guys in rugby i would back your rugby team. due to experience and skill. you got some ok players.

[tazwildcat7]

im a ynak but my top goal is to play for the lions as my mother is a scot, ive already played rugby in engalnd who taught me not america. i could not handle playing on a side with scrubs unless you became all ex nfl players, i could not nadle losiing 88-6 or worse or no top team would plaus us except when manatory every 4 years when we not able qualify were embaressment. the rest of the world laughs thier head of as america. the usa mens rugby team is an embarresment to other sports in usa

[JollyPete540]

@tazwildcat7 Shut the hell up.

[tazwildcat7]

in 2 years when i can pay my food bill to be me again 250 pounds big and bad i want to play for scotland or engalnd i offcaily can for scotland now and play against the us eagles and knock them all out the game all 15 players fair and sqaure legal face to face contact. i hate the us easgles. we should not even have a side we are such a disgrace to america. until we cut all our players get nfl rejects we should not field a side as we suck this bad. only good thing about america is hot weather

[tazwildcat7]

usa just got beat by englands scub team 88-8 they will seck for ever unless we get nfl rejects. I am a yank myself been 277 pounds stronger than raiders center satle run cilrces around richie mccae taught by the english when my dad worked for the us ebassy for 3 years london. through my mother i can play for scotland. as to play for the eagles be a disgrace. they have never ever beaten a top 10 team. should not be alloud to even qulify for the world cup suck so bad but in a easy hemispher

[wklokow]

Best of luck for the future from South Africa. We need some competition.

[AuxaneD]

I love the fact that this great doc was made by a French film-maker : only in rugby would one respect other nations that much to elevate their history. May the rugby spirit sweep away the US! Rugby is my religion!

[MrSpartan27]

Wish American would invest more time and money into rugby union, would LOVE to see you guys up there with the springboks wallabies and all blacks. You'd have my support, 2nd to the springboks that is.

[Sundance540]

Rugby World Cup coming up soon, that'll test ya !

[freebieman217]

why do you keep saying "american" every 30 seconds or showing an american flag? lol abit patriotic but its cool i guess, and you do know that rugby was created in england?? just saying

[Stromblad2211]

"RUGBY PLAYERS AMERICAN STYLE" FUCK YEAH!! GO EAGLES!

[bluemoonrising26]

Americans need to realise that whilst only Russia and Canada can even be bothered to play their sports, let alone match them, they need to start integrating other sports into colleges, etc.

American Football is growing in popularity in the UK (though tbh, I don't like it).

[lol1808]

to grow up, USA would need a professional ligue. they are doing quite well for non professional players, even if it sems that more and more play overseas in professional club.

[sagstar89]

Great Vid only good things can happen if the usa become a powerhouse in the world of rugby. Starts with the 2016 olympics!!! Good luck eagles!!!!

[jmanistheman12345678]

okay so they have one maybe two americans in their team lol

[jmanistheman12345678]

americans wont even see rugby as u can only have ads at half time..sorry

[TheGhostOfCato]

Just watched England dominate Italy, it will be good to have some strong competition from across the Atlantic as I am sure there will be very soon.

[9a9Cha]

Best of luck from the UK :)

[scottmasterliam]

america has huge potential to be an amazing international sporting nation but because of all their own sports they're prevented from progressing in any of them because of the public demand for the sports like basketball American football and baseball

its a waste because the trasfere of skills from american football to rugby would be exellent.

plus the american college system focusing on a sport like rugby would help it develop as it would be another way to gain a scholarship surely

[irimanan27]

good on ya usa, bring it to our all blacks. Rugby is a game of heart and pain! cant wait for the americans to step up

[hanros98]

i'm not a great fan of american, the people are great but the government not so. however if america with it's resources and expertise take rugby seriously, i bet they could easily match the tri nation teams

[00rouchy00]

you giys will never be good at rugby. im sorry to say, but it seems like you wanna just join in with the rest of the world, and that guy says you have 'physicality' of what your known for abroad? im sorry but abroad americans are thought of completly the opposite, the only people who think thay are world leaders cuz u guys own so many fricckin nukes!

from you british cousin

[NlGGERSxEVERYWHERE]

@00rouchy00 Says the faggot with an Eminem background on his profile. I'll give you a hint - Eminem sure isn't English. Your comment is as retarded as me saying that all English people have bad teeth, ugly haircuts, and drink not but tea.

[00rouchy00]

@NlGGERSxEVERYWHERE ye mate i put this comment up ages ago! i would disagree with it now. k

[bombertheelephant]

Time to resume your place in the sport c'mon USA help push the game that has the best of everything...

[ThePokemonGame]

no offense to the americans cus i think theyre awesome, but almost every sentence the use has summin got to do with the US in it. i mean im just sayin and all, but its abit overly patriotic all the time. and even in this video, its making it seem as if america was the country that created/ founded everything :@ - rugby is called rugby because its the place name where it was founded, in the uk

[20327070]

hahha 6666 views ::D

[thepeekaboo16]

imaging if american football wasnt invented, rugby would be like the nfl today and usa would of dominate too

[SpiritMan00]

Awesome video.. I'm from New Zealand but with a samoan background.. I would like to see USA improve it's game.. Its a shame that Rugby faded away in the early days however the future looks promising for the US.. I believe you'll do well at next year's World Cup.. You have a great chance against Italy and Ireland or even upset the Aussies.. LOL you never know.. it's all about passion and pride when it comes to World Cups, something New Zealand lacks...

[thepeekaboo16]

@SpiritMan00 agree, argentina improve alot during that 2007 WC and usa can do it too just need the passion.. usa even have some pacific island players too

[magsantug]

@thepeekaboo16 some?? try a shit-ton on the West coast... Mine is the only team in a 32 team league w/o an islander. and several of the teams we play are almost purely islander. lol

[Thunda1986]

they bringing it back to the olympics but i think it will 7's not 15.

[KCHIEFTAN]

I'd like to see a few more teams dominate world rugby other then the UK, France and the 3 southern hemisphere giants as it is starting to get pretty predictable now. Teams like Italy and Argentina continue to improve every year and I also hope the USA will become a rugby super power in the future too.

[BKsMassive]

@KCHIEFTAN

France Dominate Rugby? are you joking? ahahahaha

England and All Blacks are the best teams...

England won in 2003 and SHOULD of won in 2007 if it wasn't for a bias FRENCH ref....

[EagleWing15]

the US does have a promising future as far as rugby goes. with its popularity spreading the US will soon be able to compete. And this is coming from an england fan

[dan2hamilton]

When was this recorded? because hercus and MacDonald aren't even in the player pool

[motoxcrosxridr]

2016 olympics is sevens rugby, not fifteens.

[crimsoncancer09]

In response to everybody who thinks football players should play rugby... I think not. I can tell you many athletes playing football in high school and later, college, are all about getting high with friends, binge drinking, partying, and committing crimes for "street cred". These people do not deserve to represent the USA, no matter what "talent" they may have. There will always be other athletes, ones dedicated to representing America - they're who we should be focusing on.

[castronm69]

rugby is so much better than pussy football

[yap09]

@castronm69 sigh.. apples to oranges

[magsantug]

@castronm69 i wouldn't say football is pussy.... just different... coming from a non-football player. I'm purely rugby, but still.

[taweraster]

Also, it's going to take at the least another few decades for the states to catch up, you have to establish (working) training programmes, you'll need to start getting players playing from as early as 4 years of age (like in the most dominant countries eg. New Zealand and South Africa), they'll then have to grow up and hope that they go overseas to play and gain some experience, then you have to get them some international caps which will take in excess of 20 years to do so.

[legendthe1st]

If USA do become good at rugby, other rugby nations have to make sure that the sport doesn't become boring and commercialized ala any other american sport.... It would completely kill the game.

[cha0z4o0]

haha, my highschool team is bigger than your international standard team... You guiz got a long way to

[ChurchInAshes]

Hey mate, nice video. I myself see the US becoming a great of rugby in the distant future. distant but united in pasion for the sport. Cheers from New zealand.

[Q3ToPBuZz]

As a massive ( English ) Rugby fan I think its great that the USA are fast becoming a true force to be reckoned with.The more great nations we have competing in this wonderful sport the better.

[jbremerjr]

Get your negative vibes away from my sport. I dont care what country you are from if you play rugby you are ok with me. Rugby is about more than the game, its the culture and the lifestyle which varies around the world. I hope The US prospers as a nation, and if you don't keep it to yourself. It just makes you look jealous, and ridiculous.

[tomaroony]

Nice to see Dan Lyle on here - damn fine player, particularly when he was playing for Bath.

Such a shame the US doesn't embrace rugby, as with their resources they'd probably have one of the best teams in the world.

[armedconventicle]

MrBraids1 - I think France was expected to win at the 1920 & 1924 Olymics.

[armedconventicle]

Rugby Union is so inherently superior to gridiron - yet the US loves gridiron. The perennial hope that we will suddenly change is nieve. Americans are notoriously insular & provincial - don't like "foriegn" things & think our way is the best, even if the whole world differs. Four of my sons have played rugby - many of their teammates and coaches see it as only a fitness activity for other sports. My friends make fun of union while refusing to even check out what it is. Don't get ur hopes up

[MrBraidz1]

im a kiwi and it would be sweet if rugby got big in the . They do have athletes but not all athletes make good rugby players . Who gives a fuck if you can run 100 m in 10 flat if you cant step or draw and pass your shit. by the way did any other good nations play at those olympics? and why do you guys have to make everything so cheesey. kick back bro!

[nToni32]

you see the problem here in America is because the number one game is Football....but no one else play foot ball but USA so if America want to prove to the world that they are the best in men's most physical sport...they will need to learn rugby and once that happened, it will be the beginning of the end of American football as we know it...

its already became a Olympic sport starting 2016 Olympic. Whoever take the gold in Olympic 7 is the will be KING..its that simple.

The US can still do it

[byrnem43]

sweet jesus there is a lot of petty arguments going on here, rugby is a great sport and is played by more countries than any of the "american" sports are, doesnt make them any better or worse because of that. I would love to see the game develop in america because they would be seriously good after a few years of taking it seriously and with such a commercial market left un-tapped, it would be great for the global game if it got big there

[automaticcorvette]

So, what research did you do before opening YOUR mouth? Listening to the RWC announcer's bogus claim that 3 billion people were watching England vs South Africa?

By the way, thanks for wishing us luck in the next RWC.

I'd like to wish the Aussie Ice Hockey team luck in Vancouver next month, but they did not qualify.

[automaticcorvette]

So typical of bigoted idiots like you to bash people's nationalities. "The RWC ranks as the 3rd most watched. Simple as that."-Now thats a foolish arrogant statement. I should just take your word at face value because you are from Australia. Pathetic! Use your beloved google to check media sites in Brazil, Russia, Germany, China, India, and just about any country anywhere in the world, I guarantee you does not rate at all!

[sjfilly]

Face it, your country is crap at Rugby, I know its hard to believe for you, given the way you are all raised, but yes, you lose to Samoa in rugby. Good luck in the RWC, you'll need it.

[jbremerjr]

@sjfilly I hope you get eaten by a shark. If you were a true lover of the game you would respect it in its many forms. There are disgraces to the sport in every country need I remind you of Wendell Sailor/ Quade Cooper/ or the others that have brought shame to the game.

[sjfilly]

@jbremerjr what the hell are you talking about? The sky is blue, grass is green. Are we a little off topic? Btw, I eat sharks for breakfast

[utubetrollcopycat]

@sjfilly No You went Off Topic in the first place. Those with glass houses shouldn't throw stones.

[sjfilly]

@utubetrollcopycat - Luckily for me I don't live in a glass house, anyway USA Rugby is shit - deal with it.

[sjfilly]

I seriously hope Rugby takes off in the US. Its truly is an international game.

As for Spankenstein99, your comments about the "main athletes" playing rugby is a foolish comment, your logic could apply to all countries. Furthermore you have no reason to be so arrogant, your rugby team is the laughing stock of the internation rugby playing community. Good luck in Pool C in the Rugby World Cup 2011, you'll need it. Prepare to be smashed by Australia, Ireland and Italy.

[automaticcorvette]

How exactly is the US rugby team the "laughing stock of the international rugby playing community" when the US actually qualifies for the RWC despite it being such a small sport here? Surely large countries like Russia, China, Brazil, Germany, etc. who don't even qualify are bigger "laughingstocks".

[sjfilly]

The fact that you actually have to qualify says it all.

[automaticcorvette]

Rugby is a minor sport in the US and most other countries-including the ones I mentioned. The fact that the US qualifies, when comparably sized countries do not, does say it all. The Aussie Ice Hockey team did not qualified for Vancouver 2010. did they?

[sjfilly]

USA has the same number of registered Rugby players as Australia. 2 Rugby World Cups for Australia. USA = 0. Ice Hockey is hardly an International Sport, while the Rugby World Cup ranks as the third most watched sporting event in the world.

[automaticcorvette]

The RWC is NOT the 3rd most watched sporting in event in the world. After the Olympics and World Cup, you have the Champions League, EUFA Championship, the championships of the top soccer leagues like Serie A, English Premier League, Bundesliga, etc. On top of that you have major boxing matches, tennis like WImbledon, US Open, Golf has the Masters, US Open, Ryder Cup. Then there's F1. That anyone believes the IRB's propaganda is utterly laughable.

[sjfilly]

All you Yanks are the same, foolish and arrogant. The RWC ranks as the 3rd most watched. Simple as that. All the other crap you have mentioned does not even come close, seriously you think the F1 ranks higher than the RWC? Propaganda, please what a silly statement! Silly silly silly Yank.

[automaticcorvette]

And how many countries TRULY play rugby? Not how many member nations the IRB has (which is meaningless), but how many actually play, watch, and rank it as one of their top sports? It would rank close to Ice Hockey with: USA, Canada, Russia, Sweden, Finland, Czech Rep., Slovakia, Norway, Belarus, Kazakstan, Latvia, Switzerland, Ukraine. You need to open your eyes and realize there is a world of sport outside Australia.

[sjfilly]

Haha, this coming from an American? Funny.

[automaticcorvette]

What's funny is your delusion that the RWC even comes close to any major soccer tournament in global popularity.

[sjfilly]

Do some research before you open your mouth and simply epitomise the American stereotype. I'm sure you have access to google, use it.

[pressupfallah]

@automaticcorvette france, england, wales, ireland, fiji, samoa, tonga, japan, papua new guinea, australia, south africa, new zealand, scotland, argentina, kenya is getting there,

[sjfilly]

Back to my original point, Spankenstein99 comments are simply arrogant and unneccessary. Sure USA Rugby may be more competitive, 'if all your main athletes played', but you would never beat the Rugby power houses, South Arica and New Zealand. Rugby is more than a game of strength but also skill and plently of brains required. Something I'm finding lacks for Spakenstain99.

[sjfilly]

In addition, I find it highly offensive (I'm Aussie) that some American Rugby and Football teams have stolen New Zealands Haka and have turned it in to a circus event, an absolute disgrace.

All you Yanks should be ashamed.

[bubbleboyjkh]

thank u, the haka is a proud tradition of new zealand and should not be used by anyone but the new zealand rugby team, an absolute disgrace, im irish(living in the usa) and i know how to perform it but would never do it before a game,

[dominicburrows777]

@sjfilly i saw tht on youtube and felt physically sick at what they had done to it

[rhyster74]

It's always baffled me why the US hasn't embraced rugby more before. There is no better sport for carnage, skill, speed & power. I for one would like to see a new force emerge in world rugby and I think the US could be in with a shout if interest continues to grow. Saying that, the gap between them and Northern European and southern hemisphere teams is as vast as its ever been.

[Spankenstein99]

the us has the best athletes in the world... if our main athletes played rugby we would kill everyone

[automaticcorvette]

By the way, rugby was never king in the US. Yes, it was big in California in the early 1900's, but it had died out by the 1920 Olympics.

[agiantawakens]

Again, US rugby has a chance to shine again at the 2016 Olympics. for the XV's game, Our overseas players are doing a fantastic job in Europe or South Africa, and the age group programs are progressing at high speed.

[taweraster]

@agiantawakens That's bullshit, the only player from the States that plays in the Super 14 (for a South African team) plays for arguably the worst team in the world, they haven't won a game since they were incorporated in the competition.

[BKsMassive]

@agiantawakens

what? your doing a fantastic job? USA is one of the shittiest countries in the world at Rugby!

England B team could beat USA A team!

[vaea46]

@BKsMassive lol i agree the USA team. will probably lose to the USA Womans team.. lol

[creditcrunchcereal]

@agiantawakens there's only going to be 7's :/ but it wd be great for another country to break into top level international rugby

[jro222]

@automaticcorvette r u dumb? they won two gold medals and they were probably the best nation at the time, but then baseball took over and both the NBA and NFL came and they over took rugby. thats why it died out. for awhile rugby and baseball were the only sports that were played. finally its back and i hope we can do better

[partysounz]

My prediction is Russia is the sleeping giant of rugby. They're almost up to the US Eagles level, looks like they will qualify for the next rugby world cup and they don't have American Football, Aussie Rules or Rugby League competing for players.

[itspaybacktime101]

@partysounz no they will never qualify russia sucks at rugby also their soccer team is not even that good,I know they got some big guys but they all useless.

[messitup64]

Russia  qualified

i hope they get put in the same pool

[watsy17]

US rugby wat a joke leave it to the AB's, the BOKS , and the Wallabies bro!!!

[automaticcorvette]

Australia (ice) Hockey what a joke! Leave it to the USA, Canada, and the Russians bro!!!

[fuckingpillock]

Give the US 10 years or so, and they could be scary... Huge population to choose from, players bought up on their football will be used to the physicality of the game. I reckon a widely publicised Springbok or All Blacks tour there would do well to promote the game too.

[MOMORPIGER]

Ive got to say as a rugby player in indiana and Rugby is getting way more popular then football. In about 10 years rugby will be HUGE here.

[Crizzle789]

Not really buddy. What do you think Indiana cares more about. The Colts vs Patriots game this sunday, or the Indiana rugby team?

[MOMORPIGER]

Don't have to be an asshole about it.

[agiantawakens]

When a player from Indiana will win a medal at the Olympics playing sevens, maybe people will care. The US will have a chance to shine in 2016 and 2020 in the summer Olympics, what they need now is support !

[Thunda1986]

@agiantawakens what about the world cup next year

[dan2hamilton]

yea i think it will be also

usa improved alot over this summer !!!!

did you watch the Georgia game in the churchill cup?

[KiwiLineBreaka2]

Awsome Documentary!!!

[kablamo7]

great vid, USA will be a great team in a few years, i really believe that.

Best of luck from Australia

[dan2hamilton]

yea especialy with help like more australians like yourself and mike hercus

[imirish62]

@kablamo7 Good on you man. It's good to see other countries supporting us instead of shooting us down.

[kablamo7]

@imirish62 guys like Todd Clever playing in the Super 14 (stand out in a disappointing Lions team) ,USA Eagles Lou Stanfill at the Brumbies Academy likely to become the first US player to be picked for a pro contract in Australia not to mention the over half dozen others playing professionally outside the US. Would be stupid not to rate your potential. I have family in the US so the Eagles have always been my second team, they'll do well at the WC (just as long as they don't upset Wallabies)

[pressupfallah]

@kablamo7 which they most likely will do as the Aussie team are really shit and wont be ready in time for the world cup. Plus they need a kiwi to coach their team hhahjaha, hopefully robbie makes them even more shit for the world cup lol

[yourboringshutup]

@pressupfallah don't give Kiwis a bad name pressupfallah

[calrugbygal]

Thanks Mike for your comments--great to see our guys! We need sponsorship to get this documentary off the ground. You can find a link on facebook

[RuggerUA]

awesome!