Olympic Champs v "World Champs"

Yo, in just a handful of days the NZ Blacks will take on the reigning Olympic rugby champions in what we all hope no doubt becomes a regular highlight of the season.

The great athletes of the mighty USA EAGLES will come together in a historical home coming and the rugby world looks on with bait breath for this clash of titans at the great Soldier Field.

As they're saying the "kiwis" might have Tolkein but we've got Tolkin , we are Cool, Cleverly and half of Samoa is rightfully ours!

Without America to organize things the rugby world is without a "global season" and this match could become the new centrepiece around which a new season is based. With each year the best of the rest coming to challenge the Eagles at the new home of rugby.

I can't wait for the fallout when America rises up to reclaim the crown!

USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA

I'm getting a whiff of

Dude! That's too much information!

I know you are as excited as the rest of us, but try to keep it in your pants, yo.

Cyril wrote:I'm getting a whiff of

- me too

Yo, in just a handful of days the NZ Blacks will take on the reigning Olympic rugby champions in what we all hope no doubt becomes a regular highlight of the season.

Is it a highlight watching NZ going through a training run out yet still hitting 100 points...well yes maybe it is

Whaaaazuuuuup

Down with you dawg. What chance you guys give to the Eagles? I have it as 50:50 with the blacks resting players. I heard
From the English people I know that the kiwis are too arrogant to take other teams seriously and they will be crushed by the athletes of the USA

Good luck Tobybryant, I will be watching this match, hopefully the match will peak more interest for Rugby Union in the USA.

If the mountain won't come, sometimes you have to lead the horse to water.

But the horse can't climb the mountain, so he will have to drink beer

realistically - it's only 50/50 if we're working on decimal... like 99.999950/0.000050.
May I ask why world champs is in quotation marks?

Were there too many countries involved in rugby's equivalent of a world series?

Well the Olympics is a globally sanctioned whereas the so-called World Cup of rugby only involves a handful of countries.

Good to see yet another new face on the boards!

No 7&1/2 wrote: Good to see yet another "new" face on the boards!

Don't know what you mean!

I guess he is referring that I joined the site yesterday and making a comment that it's nice to see new opinions.

Getting close to Halloween

Meet the new opinions, same as the old opinions....

What is hilarious is that you lable your USA a machine whilst knowing that includes our LH prop (just signed from London Scottish) who can barely get in our Development squad...yet is first choice starter at TH for the USA Machine....
You know the guy who actually got flipped upside down in a scrum....

I'm having difficulty deciphering your dialect there sorry pal. Could you translate ?

Think he means hello GreyGhost.

TobyBryant, You Yankees dont know what you're in for.Its going to be like Pearl Harbour.

LOL I'd say it'd take more than what the Pentagon has on offer to shore the American defence up enough. I'm thinking 60-65 points is par depending on conditions.

I'm in a dilemma though. Do I want the USA to do well, get the crowd behind them and coming away from the game with increased interest and hope, but with NZ putting in an uninspired performance giving the crowd the thought "Is that all the best in rugby can offer?", or, do I want NZ to put in an exhibition of rugby that is so accurate and brutal in its execution that a century is raised and the US players, officials and fans are completely demoralised but pleased they got to see rugby played at its very best?

I'm flying to Chicago on Thursday so I'll get an idea of what both locals and Kiwis think. Interested to see the other guys posters on here. Welcome TB, you must have been speaking to the wrong Englishmen as they've sent understrength teams to the SH on several occasions

I've been told there is no such thing as an under strength British team - such is the depth of their playing pool - but the squads have always been depleted by injuries from their more brutal season and so none of their losses count properly and I can't take into account the statistics.

They've told me the kiwis are flat track bullies and ultimately chokers on the biggest stages.

All that knowledge leads me to predict a home victory for the might of the USA EAGLES!!!! USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA

If USA score a solitary try then that should be hailed as an achievement. Two tries, well, that would be a raving success for them. My big hope is that there's some big hits that can be replayed on ESPN sportcentre. I'm sure the locals would appreciate that kind of stuff.

Tell Stephen we said hi Toby.

Tell Kobe we said hi Toby.

Bookies are giving the NZ blacks a 50 point head start! It's so clearly a book making scam as to be obvious and almost fraud. I've just put $100 on the Eagles by two scores.

Everyone knows why the match is being held.  Not for mother-love, nor for the greater good.  Simply for the money that the American sponsor has to offer.

The US team will not come close, and no one in their right mind expects so.  Everyone on this side of the Atlantic hopes for a good show.  This is not so bad.  And this will be great for the sport here in America.

On the other hand, this will be a rousing event.  Will be a booze infested meet-up of Rugby clubs from all across the country.  The car park before the match will be rocking.  We have a huge number of people from my club going, and I am the medical officer whose job it will be to make sure anyone too hungover to walk can still et on the plane home on Sunday morn.  If I have a moment or two as the weekend gets on, I will try to share some info from the supporters perspective.

Sweet doc-I know there's someone who can help me if I get too slaughtered in the stands...

Who the heck said Richie could take a week off!! What is this, some kind of holiday.

A few thoughts:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KbYmhZpr9Y0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zVabGaZw64E

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g4kXkMfVRfE

http://wgntv.com/2014/10/23/chicago-scene-rugby-player/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GoGlaVGUewg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XfymJYn1BXc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lekt5PA50l4

I hope it's good game. I suspect it's  like the AFL games here in Wellington. The first game people went for novelty. I went to the second with the family. Left at half time. I hope that's not the case. Like all sports it enjoyment comes with a stake in the result and understanding.

I hope it goes well It's the biggest thing to happen for US Rugby. 60000+ people for a home match, prime time TV coverage on a national TV Network. All good.

There's abetter video of Stephen Paea out there where talks about going to the game and meeting Kevin Mealamu. Born in Auckland, grew up in Tonga playing rugby at No8 and dreaming of being an AB, moved to the US at 16 and took up American football. Played for Oregon State (still played touch over summer), arguably the best defensive tackle in college football in his final year. Current DT for the Bears.

Dr and Disney enjoy. Wish I could be there.

Yeah, hope you guys have a great time and it is a memorable and entertaining occasion for you and everyone at the game. If the stadium is sold out like they say then that's a good sign that those that follow rugby in the USA have made the effort to get along so big claps to them. I really hope the ref is not pedantic. Stephen Paea is a big boy!

Blackcan

I thought the Paea's bench press record is utterly insane, especially if you look round your own gym and found the guy that does the biggest weights, he probably wouldnt do a doz reps with 102 kegs on the bar.

I doubt if any international Rugby prop could get anywhere near 49.

disneychilly wrote:Sweet doc-I know there's someone who can help me if I get too slaughtered in the stands...

Cool!
You know where you are sitting?
Where are you staying?

Auspicious start to the weekend: Many flights to Chicago are cancelled or delayed due to reported rain and snow showers. I am sitting in Newark Airport waiting for my 16:00 flight to take off, now delayed until 19:30. Buggeration.

On the other hand, I saw two gents wearing USA Rugby attire checking in for the same flight. The excitement is building......

Are you going Doc?

Yes.
If my flight ever takes off.

A friend is already in Chicago and told me there is a lot of Rugby promo stuff in downtown. And he saw a number of people wearing both USA Rugby and ABs attire. Should be a massive boost for Rugby here. The match is on a major free over-the-air network, which is a big plus.

Well enjoy, if you remember take some pictures for us

Would be happy to!
How do I post them here?

I haven't done it for a while, just pm RDW and I am sure he will gladly assist you

Will do. I am taking pix anyway. Any goodies and I will be happy to share.
By the way, my flight was just delayed another half hour....

There is still time, You'll make it, why don't you take a road trip?

Good idea!
Steal my wife's car, pile in a bunch of Rugby players and a case of beer. Just like in the movies. Would probably get arrested before leaving New Jersey!