Pro Rugby USA
-
<p>Other Players and coaches with kiwi links include:</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Peter Borlase - Assistant coach at Denver, former Canterbury player</p>
<p>Fred Waititi - Assistant coach, Sacramento</p>
<p>Devereaux Ferris - Google says a young guy from Northland</p> -
<p>Roster update: <a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.americasrugbynews.com/2016/04/11/pro-rugby-roster-update/ '>http://www.americasrugbynews.com/2016/04/11/pro-rugby-roster-update/ </a></p>
<p> </p>
<p>Note the "Jamie Mackintosh could be an emergency option at lock ..." </p> -
<p>This weekend, the PRO rugby competition in the USA kicks off with the following games:</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Denver v Ohio, Mon 18 April, 8.00am (NZT)</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Sacramento v San Francisco, Mon 18 April, 11.00am (NZT)</p>
<p> </p>
<p>The second game will be <a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.aol.com/article/2016/04/13/watch-live-san-francisco-vs-sacramento-caps-pro-rugby-opening/21340670/'>streamed live on AOL.com</a> . I haven’t been able to find a way to watch the Denver v Ohio game, yet.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.thisisamericanrugby.com/2016/04/san-francisco-name-opening-day-starters.html'>San Francisco line-up</a></p> -
<p>Denver have a home game this Sun, USA time. Might actually get along and watch.</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p>Edit: Nevermind, we are getting 7-14 inches of snow this weekend, think I'll stay home for this one.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="darreninusa" data-cid="572684" data-time="1460777034">
<div>
<p>Denver have a home game this Sun, USA time. Might actually get along and watch.</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p>Edit: Nevermind, we are getting 7-14 inches of snow this weekend, think I'll stay home for this one.</p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p>That weather forecast was spot on. I found these photo's on twitter from the ground in Denver:</p>
<p> </p>
<p><img src="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CgP8X6fUUAEwfpL.jpg" alt="CgP8X6fUUAEwfpL.jpg"> <img src="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CgQq6ZZXEAAttgh.jpg" alt="CgQq6ZZXEAAttgh.jpg"></p>
<p> </p>
<p><img src="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CgRO8-TXEAI6b-a.jpg" alt="CgRO8-TXEAI6b-a.jpg"> <img src="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CgRRG8kUYAAGAjP.jpg" alt="CgRRG8kUYAAGAjP.jpg"></p> -
<p>Livestream for Sacramento v San Francisco game should appear here: <a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.aol.com/article/2016/04/14/watch-live-pro-rugby-makes-debut-in-the-united-states/21344397/'>http://www.aol.com/article/2016/04/14/watch-live-pro-rugby-makes-debut-in-the-united-states/21344397/</a></p>
-
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Hooroo" data-cid="573154" data-time="1460939953">
<div>
<p>French import?</p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p>Haha, I have no idea where Nickolas Grass is from, but his name doesn't sound french.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>San Fran playing with 2 men in the bin for the last few minutes.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Sacramento 20 - San Francisco 22 after 67 minutes.</p> -
<p>Sacramento win the game 37 - 25.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Maybe my expectations were too high, and I only watched the 2nd half, but it wasn't pretty. Of course, it was their first game and they haven't had a long pre-season (I think), but with several (past & present) American test players in these teams, you'd expect a certain level of rugby. The breakdown, particularly, was very, very messy. From Pro rugby players you should also be able to expect a certain fitness level. I'm exaggerating a bit, but they'd struggle in the Mitre 10 Cup.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Having said that, the drop goal by Sacramento's Harry Bennett was a beauty.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Crowd attendance in Denver (in the cold, with snow) was 2,312. There were more people in Sacramento (I think the commentator mentioned a number > 3,000).</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Stargazer" data-cid="573171" data-time="1460941731">
<div>
<p>Don't think so. It's Bonney Field in Sacramento. </p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p>I meant the one in Denver all covered in snow.</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p>As for the fitness and team cohesion - they've got to start somewhere. A lot of these guys didn't have a high school program on par with NZ Schools First XV etc.</p>