World Cup daily: Rugby's biggest tournament fails to impress America

ByEurosport

Updated 25/09/2015 at 08:47 GMT

While rugby union fever is gripping this part of the world like never before, the notoriously difficult American market is proving a tough nut to crack. Unlike last year's football World Cup finals in Brazil, the USA are not overly bothered about the rugby equivalent.

THE BIG STORY

Rugby is one of the fastest growing sports in the USA according to studies and their national side faces Scotland in a key Pool B match at Elland Road in Leeds on Sunday, but you would never know if you read any of the newspapers in the States. Coverage of the tournament is threadbare.

The US lost their opening match to Samoa, but the Los Angeles Times could only deliver one line to relay the news to sports fans in their part of the country.

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"The USA lost to Samoa, 25-16, in a Rugby World Cup pool-play opener at Brighton, England." That line of text could be found low down on page nine of their sports section on Monday.

Unlike the football team's 2-1 defeat to Belgium after extra-time last summer in Brazil which was watched by 21 million in the US - more than the baseball World Series and the NBA finals - rugby union is failing to swell US national pride despite being compared to American football.

American fans have taken this World Cup to their heart

Image credit: PA Sport

Universal Sports Network and NBC Sports are televising nine of the 48 matches live, including four pool matches involving the American Eagles.

The USA are realistic about their prospects at this tournament, and are targeting a win against Japan in Gloucester on October 11 to avoid finishing bottom of a section that also includes South Africa.

William Webb Ellis World Cup trophy

Image credit: Eurosport

"If this is the year USA will make its mark on the Rugby World Cup, it will require some once-in-a-lifetime play by the Eagles and possibly also some serious blunders by their opponents," said an editorial in the New York Daily News.

"But hey, it could happen."

But it is unlikely to be this year.

THE BUZZ

The Ireland rugby players chose Alton Towers as their destination of choice as they prepare for their next match of this World Cup against Romania at Wembley on Sunday. Captain Paul O'Connell looks like he has been asked to buy a round of the black stuff for the squad.

MORE THE BUZZ

It sounds like Paloma Faith's version of #worldinunion is not going down well with ITV viewers in comparison to Dame Kiri Te Kanawa's original 1991 hit. Why can't they just play both? In union.

THE SIN BIN

The Mexican Wave. At the Olympic Stadium. Witnessed after 15 minutes of New Zealand's 58-14 win over Namibia last night. Love it or loathe it, it is going in the Sin Bin.

TODAY'S ACTION

Argentina v Georgia, Kingsholm, 4:45pm

These nations met at the 2007 and 2011 World Cups, matches that Los Pumas won by 30 and 18-point margins respectively. These nations met at the 2007 and 2011 World Cups, matches that Los Pumas won by 30 and 18-point margins respectively.

We also have Welsh legend Gareth Thomas here for you answering questions ahead of the huge Pool A clash between England and Wales on Saturday at Twickenham. Gareth will answer your questions regarding all things Rugby World Cup.

Gareth Thomas

Image credit: Reuters

MORE HERE ON OUR EXCLUSIVE RUGBY CHAT WITH GARETH

TOMORROW'S ACTION

Italy v Canada, Elland Road, 2:30pm

Italy aim to keep their hopes alive after losing to France last weekend. They should against a Canada side who lost 50-7 to the Irish in their opener.

This will be the fifth World Cup Test between these nations; the Springboks have not faced any other side more often (England also four times). The first three meetings between these teams at the World Cup saw an aggregate winning margin of 130 points for South Africa, but they defeated Samoa by just eight points in 2011.

England v Wales, Twickenham, 8pm

The big one. Huge by any stretch of the imagination between these two fierce rugby enemies. A win for either side will see them take a massive step towards the quarter-finals. The loser will need a win over Australia, or face early elimination.

No country wants to lose this one. It has been dubbed the biggest clash between the countries in history. It is. Until the next one.

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Who says the Americans aren't interested?

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