The real growth in rugby is taking place in the high schools. In 2002, the number of rugby programs in Chicago-area high schools was 8, now it is 50 Programs such as Rookie Rugby and its reappearance on the Olympic stage have helped grow it.
About 25% of American rugby players are women. That is even higher than the world average which is about 20%.
Plus, the quality of U.S. players has improved tremendously to where some are regarded as being on the fringe of world-class players. (Although the "whupping" the All Blacks put on our team shows that we still have a long way to go to compete at their level.)
Another area where rugby is strong is in the college clubs.
And, "there are certain understood codes of honor among rugby players. One is that what happens on the field, stays on the field."
According to Vaughan Palelei, "There's not a sport on this planet where you can go, beat the living crap out of each other and then both sides will go out, have a beer and sing songs afterward." You also won't see excessive celebration after a good play.
I, for one, am hoping I'll get more of a chance to see rugby on TV.
--RoadDog
Being an account of some things I'm interested in, what I'm doing, and reflections on my past, especially music.
Listen to this man. Seven years of college, you know. Trying to reason with 2020 and, now, 2022.
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