Eagles Ready to Soar in World Cup

by user BigPPup

American Rugby is building off a strong foundation. Now they aim to make a big impression at this year's World Cup.

There is no better time to be a rugby player in America. Currently, the game is on the cusp of a major explosion in the United States. Players are able to reap benefits that those in the past could only dream of -- and it's only the beginning. There is so much to come.

The 2007 World Cup is just over five months away, and the rugby community is abuzz. The US Eagles are preparing to take off in a big way. USA Rugby has made a commitment to insure that this year's showing will be the best from an American national team that has struggled in previous international matches. And USA Rugby is not going about these goals blindly -- they have implemented a strategic plan to insure that they will field the best possible squad come September.

For most American players, spring is the best time of year. Division I-III men’s and women’s clubs are in the middle of their play-off runs, while college students are also making their push towards the post season. Spring also represents the most important time of year for any American who has aspirations of making it to the Eagles.

The Rugby Super League begins its season in mid-March and will continue into June. The RSL is the highest level of men’s club rugby in the United States. It is well known that each game is filmed and viewed by the selectors for the US Eagles. Rugby is still an amateur sport in the United States, but the RSL provides an opportunity for players to play top-notch rugby with other players from across the country.

Another developmental ground for players this spring will be the NA4 Tournaments between two American teams and two Canadian teams. US Eagles head coach Peter Thorburn has selected two teams that will represent the United States in this tournament. The players chosen from these teams will make up the majority of the roster that will take the field in Europe come September. To show how serious players are taking the NA4’s, Eagles captain Mike Hercus is returning from his professional rugby career in Wales so he can play with his RSL team this spring, as well as an NA4 team.

With Hercus returning to the States it shows another example of how serious American players have become about growing rugby as a sport. Hercus plays fly-half for Newport Dragons. He was born in Virginia but went to Australia as a child and played for Australia's schoolboys, progressing to the Under 21 side before the Eagles gave him a route into international rugby union.

He made his Rugby World Cup debut in 2003, scoring 51 points for the Eagles. He was at Sale Sharks for two seasons as Charlie Hodgson's understudy before he moved to Llanelli Scarlets and then to Newport. He captained the US Eagles for the 2007 Rugby World Cup qualifiers against Uruguay.

There may be better competition overseas, better coaching, and better players; that is all a given. However, if American rugby is to grow it must be done at home. The United States needs its best players at home competing with each other, and playing with each other to build a better sense of continuity. The lower ranks of American rugby are growing exponentially; now, more than ever, it is imperative that a strong infrastructure is built for those players.

Young players need to see the top-level players competing in the communities around them, coaching in clinics, and helping out. They need to have an achievable goal to work towards. If they have the opportunity to see that, the chances of young players sticking with the sport as they enter into adulthood will increase.