Field Theory by Hadyn Green

They count Rugby as an Olympic sport? I know the US are reigning Olympic champions, but the next Olympic Rugby won't be until Rio, and that will still be 7s.

Thanks Caleb, very interesting. Certainly, of the Americans I know outside of NZ, if they know about rugby at all, they love the All Blacks. One colleague told me a few years back that the All Blacks were the only thing he was interested in following in the rugby, that the pre-game antics were a huge part of it, that such a psyche up before a game is really unusual and compelling.

I hope the Eagles improve upon previous performances - that is the most realistic aim from a World Cup from a rank outsider, that they reduce the level of thrashing from the top teams, and give the next team up on the ladder a run for their money. Then they can feel proud. Bonus points for any individual brilliance.

There's no reason in the long run that the Eagles couldn't be competitive - the USA has no shortage of massive strong athletes. I expect that Gridiron takes almost all of these, looking for the big money. But it would only take one of the plethora of Jonah Lomu sized characters to take to the field and run straight over the top of some top seeded backs to give the Eagles a huge profile lift. Then, of course, there's the colossal immigrant population to pick from too.

Then, of course, there’s the colossal immigrant population to pick from too.

Yes, I recall hearing (not sure if it's true though - really should check) that LA has the second largest Samoan population of any city (after Auckland obviously) - if so then you think this would make a prime recruiting ground for American rugby.

Who plays rugby in the USA? I'm aware of some naval teams, and some interest among the Pacific Island population, but does it go any further than this?

Students, mostly posh ones.

(My undertanding is that with American Football being pretty much a professional sport at college level in the US, rugby provides an alternative for people who want to play an oval ball game but aren't 300kg full-time athletes).

More than 80,000 people are registered players there. Interesting to see that Polynesian Mormons are a subcult. Makes sense!

Some reasonably well known Americans who played rugby. Bill Clinton, and George W Bush.

What I'm talking about!. Love the soundtrack.

I'd like to note that my American husband said yesterday: "I don't want us to win. I just want us to score a try" and a minute later it happened. He is omnipotent! Or psychic!

(Or it was a cool coincidence.)

Yes, I recall hearing (not sure if it’s true though – really should check) that LA has the second largest Samoan population of any city

That wouldn't have anything to do with American Samoa, would it? I don't know if they'd be counted as immigrants.

It was a very good intercept try too.