Daily Archives: 19 April 2016
The conditions could not have been more different as PRO Rugby launched its maiden season with 2 games on Sunday. In Denver there was an epic snowstorm; in Sacramento the match was played in near ideal California conditions.
What was not different was the intensity on and off the pitch in Denver, where the hosts beat Ohio 16 / 13 in an overtime thriller, and Sacramento, who beat rivals San Francisco 37 / 25. Both games exhibited the potential of a bright future for American rugby.
“We strive for perfection,” said Sacramento head coach Luke Gross, once of the US Eagles and Newcastle Falcons second rows. “It wasn’t perfect today but a lot of good things happened and we have a lot to work on.”
Those words could easily be applied to PRO Rugby’s opening day. The league was able to accomplish something no one had ever achieved in America: have fans pay to watch 2 professional sides predominantly made up of American players. Nearly 6 000 fans showed up between Denver and Sacramento. In its 1st season, the league is targeting 3 000 – 4 000 fans per match.