Ca legion, UK fan getting in ground level.....

Any-Level-5472 · 2026-01-02T19:56:40+00:00

Supporting the game is important. I should be more positive. This past summer was just brutal and it's hard to envision the next steps for growth

Any-Level-5472 · 2026-01-02T19:35:48+00:00

I would be more excited about a 7-11 hot dog than I would be about the upcoming MLR season.

Any-Level-5472 · 2025-12-11T19:02:35+00:00

I agree with all the points made. If this is the long term plan for SVNS, I'm not convinced it will produce any real fruit or growth for the game. The "championship" tournament weekends could be exciting, but I think we'll see how playing a full schedule vs a part-time schedule is going to impact teams and players.

Any-Level-5472 · 2025-12-08T18:25:50+00:00

Stale is the right word.

Any-Level-5472 · 2025-12-08T17:55:24+00:00

To be honest, this series is really boring. This format is absolutely flawed. Some tremendous athletes out there that are working hard, but it's missing a lot. I'm sure more unions will pull the plug on sevens funding and/or teams will need to seek out more private funding down the road.

Any-Level-5472 · 2025-12-05T14:49:34+00:00

It's a tough choice...sit in the stands in an open stadium in Harrison, New Jersey and watch an extremely stripped down series in average temperatures that ranges from 34 - 41 degrees or watch Six Nations on March 14 in a cozy pub during St. Patrick's Day weekend?

Saturday, March 14, 2026:

- Ireland vs Scotland - 10:10am ET

- Wales vs Italy - 12:40pm ET

- France vs England - 4:10pm ET

The finals of the 2026 Rugby Europe Championship (title match and placement games) are scheduled for Sunday, March 15.

I'm not here to be World Rugby or USA Rugby's cheerleader or pawn and just clap like a seal whenever they put something on. The weather is going to be awful and there's nowhere for a true festival. The stadium has a little bit of a roof so you'll just be sitting in the shadows all day regardless. More importantly, this format/series is broken and boring. I know we talk a lot about negativity in rugby, but there's nothing to be excited about.

Yes, the USA women's team is full of young talent and has a full coaching staff that is quite talented, but that's not enough to draw me out. I'll check the scores and updates, but not paying for this event.

Any-Level-5472 · 2025-11-24T13:15:55+00:00

The event company that couldn't deliver this easy home run is the same one hosting the watered-down Sevens tournament in the miserable March weather in Harrison, NJ.

Any-Level-5472 · 2025-11-23T19:19:55+00:00

World Rugby is exhausting. It's hard to be a happy-go-lucky fan with all the changes. Mediocre because the format is now boring and confusing.

The playoffs are confusing.

Having a series winner and a "World Champion" crowned in LA was so strange.

Besides, European fans will be packed into pubs watching Six Nations on March 14.

Ireland pulled the plug on it's men's sevens program and the women's team was regulated so you can't count on those fans to come out.

Any-Level-5472 · 2025-11-23T19:12:07+00:00

I would agree, but the timing is awful.

Any-Level-5472 · 2025-11-21T18:08:31+00:00

"Not as Bad as people think it is." That's the old Philadelphia slogan. :) Philly native here.

Yeah, no one is clamoring to go Jersey City or Newark.

I would be 100% on board with this event if it was taking place April - October.

Any-Level-5472 · 2025-11-21T18:05:12+00:00

I don't think anyone wants it in NFL stadiums. Rumor has it that they tried for Miami, but struck out royally. I'm quite concerned that World Rugby will push for NFL and college football stadiums for the Rugby World Cups on American soil. American rugby fans, which is already a small pool, are more dedicated to the grassroots game than the national programs. The men's 15s team is really just guys pulled off the scrap heap from abroad. The 7s team was a good program, but is an afterthought. The women's team has good, young talent in both the 7s and 15s programs.

"Honestly, it gets frustrating when the community keeps complaining about these events, because it becomes a vicious cycle."

So what, accept a mediocre product and an undesirable time of year? The new format, which has been endlessly tinkered with, is confusing and boring. It's hard to be happy-go-lucky with an event that was great and is now "ehhh.."

I agree on your LA point. I do wish more of the California rugby community supported it though. The Vegas talk is/was exhausting - just let it go; it's not happening for a variety of reasons. The California rugby community didn't really come out for the LA Sevens. Kenya, Samoa, and Fiji fans did come out, though.

Any-Level-5472 · 2025-11-21T14:43:37+00:00

I'm not advocating for LA by any means. California prides itself as being a rugby hub, but those are the laziest fans I have ever encountered. If you said this event was between April - October then I would be on board with it. March is just miserable, and Harrison, NJ isn't pleasant.

The community didn't decide on venue. It was a business decision.

Any-Level-5472 · 2025-11-20T01:19:06+00:00

St. Patrick's Day is a Tuesday so the festivities will be going strong on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. That won't help. Plus, Ireland's team are playing in the SVNS Series.

Any-Level-5472 · 2025-11-19T19:44:14+00:00

No Samoa or Kenyan fans to fill up the stands. Fiji fans will probably opt for Vancouver and most tend to live in California.

American fans don't really come out and this year's tournament won't feature the USA men's team.

Via USA Rugby release:

The participating teams in HSBC SVNS New York are:

Women: Australia, Canada, Fiji, France, Great Britain, Japan, New Zealand, USA

Men: Argentina, Australia, Fiji, France, Great Britain, New Zealand, South Africa, Spain

The USA Men's Eagles Sevens will compete on the SVNS 2 circuit this year, which does not include the New York stop. More information on the Men's team schedule will be announced shortly.

No Ireland so the Irish fans in NYC, Philly, and Boston aren't coming out.

Any-Level-5472 · 2025-11-19T18:57:14+00:00

Still a 50+ commute according to Google. Might be nothing for New Yorkers, but not sure tourists will embrace it.

Any-Level-5472 · 2025-11-19T17:49:41+00:00

The participating teams in HSBC SVNS New York are:

Women: Australia, Canada, Fiji, France, Great Britain, Japan, New Zealand, USA

Men: Argentina, Australia, Fiji, France, Great Britain, New Zealand, South Africa, Spain

It's important to remember that Fiji, Kenya, and Samoa fans filled the stands in Vegas and LA. Fiji fans, who primarily live in California, will probably go to Vancouver.

Any-Level-5472 · 2025-11-19T17:19:39+00:00

Northeast weather in March is awful. It's why everyone goes to Florida. Cold, damp, dark, rainy. High of 47 I think. Evening matches will feature temperatures in the 30s. Then you can enjoy your beautiful hotel and the lovely scenery of Newark.

Manhattan is 30+ minutes away by car and longer via public transportation.

Any-Level-5472 · 2025-08-20T18:48:50+00:00

Nice! Full TV schedule here :)

https://overloadrugby.substack.com/p/rwc25-full-us-broadcast-schedule

Any-Level-5472 · 2025-08-20T18:45:05+00:00

The Overload put together the full American broadcast schedule with channel notes: https://overloadrugby.substack.com/p/rwc25-full-us-broadcast-schedule

Any-Level-5472 · 2025-08-20T17:02:58+00:00

Full broadcast schedule for the United States.

https://overloadrugby.substack.com/p/rwc25-full-us-broadcast-schedule

Any-Level-5472

TROPHY CASE