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Monday, August 12, 2013

Eagles To Play Georgia, Russia In November


Earlier today the IRB announced the Tier II nations schedule for November. In addition to the previously announced November 9th meeting with the Maori All Blacks in Philadelphia, the Eagles will be traveling to play both Georgia and Russia. The U.S. will play Georgia in Tbilisi on November 16th and then Russia on either November 22nd or 23rd at a location to be determined. The U.S. last played Georgia in the summer of 2012 and came away with a 36-20 win. The U.S. has played Russia a number of times the last few years, including 40-26 win in Colwyn Back last November.


At this point it's unclear how this impacts a potential World Cup qualifying series with Uruguay. Previously it was understood that the loser of the U.S.-Canada series would face Uruguay in November. However, with these tests now announced by the IRB that seems increasingly less likely. Any chance the that the winner of the series could fulfill the fixtures is also unlikely. Canada will face the Maori All Blacks on November 3rd, Georgia on November 9th, Romania on November 16th, and Portugal on November 23rd. Similarly, Uruguay plays Spain on November 16th. It's more likely that the qualifying series between the North and South Americans is moved to a different date.

What do you make of the announcement? Excited to see the U.S. have another full slate of matches? Would you have like to see different opponents?

Take the jump to see the schedule.

U.S. Tests

November 9th--NZ Maori (Philadelphia, PA)
November 16th--Georgia (Tbilisi)
November 22nd or 23rd--Russia (TBC)

Canada Tests

November 3rd--NZ Maori (Toronto, ON)
November 9th--Georgia (Tbilisi)
November 16th--Romania (Bucharest)
November 23rd--Portugal (Lisbon)

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9 comments:

  1. Obviously Canada and USA have been kicked to the curb with regards to getting tests against tier 1 nations with Japan, Samoa, Tonga and Fiji all getting a crack at the big boys.

    2 Nov Japan v New Zealand Chicabu Stadium, Tokyo
    9 Nov Scotland v Japan Murrayfield, Edinburgh
    9 Nov Ireland v Samoa Aviva Stadium, Dublin
    16 Nov France v Tonga Le Harve
    16 Nov Italy v Fiji Cremona
    17 Nov French Barbarians v Samoa Clermont
    22 Nov Wales v Tonga Millennium, Cardiff

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  2. Samoa has earned their status and are ranked above 4 of the 10 Tier 1 teams.

    Japan they're clearly giving preference to in an attempt to build them up before the 2019 RWC.

    Fiji and Tonga didn't get any home tests against Tier 1 opposition in June, while USA and Canada did. They aren't being favored over us as they are getting the same amount of Tier 1 opposition as us, except they don't get the benefit of those matches being at home.

    While I'd prefer to see more matches against Tier 1 sides for all Tier 2 nations, I only see Samoa and Japan getting preferential treatment and Samoa's is earned.

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    Replies

    1. Tier 1 matches at home are not an advantage financially for tier 2 nations. If the Eagles could compete as well as the Pacific Islander nations do against tier 1 nations, USA Rugby would get a handsome payout from a match in Twickenham or any of the other big stadiums in Europe. Much more than what is made with 20K attending in Houston. Even tier 1 nations like New Zealand and Australia survive from the revenue from their fall fixtures, and are even criticized at times for milking the fall tours with too many games jeopardizing player well being and their brand by not performing at their best. The England win over New Zealand was seen by many All Black supporters as a cynical money spinner where England played a broken down All Blacks and won, but the NZRU went home with an additional 1M+ Pounds.

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    2. You actually think the Eagles get more of a payday from playing at Twickenham or the new Lansdowne than they did from the Ireland match in Houston in June? Wow. Nevermind all of the extra auxiliary benefits of hosting tests on home soil, that's flat out wrong.

      Getting back to the main point, it is not the US and Canada being kicked to the curb, especially with a home match against the Maori All Blacks which you've conveniently ignored (while including the nothing team that is the French Barbarians of course).


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    3. You're talking out your A$$ Scrum Dumbie. I'm not saying the Eagles could make the same amounts as the All Blacks, but there is revenue to be made from Fall internationals in Europe against tier 1 nations.

      http://www.stuff.co.nz/taranaki-daily-news/sport/the-weekend/8026383/ABs-pay-price-for-going-to-well-too-often

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    4. If there is revenue to be made, show me something about the Eagles receiving revenue sharing from their previous matches at Tier 1 nations rather than something about the All Blacks.

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    5. When did the Eagles play a tier 1 nations during the fall internationals window? NEVER! They haven't earned the right to those paydays. The Pacific Island nations have with strong RWC performances and a very attractive product to put on the pitch. Those fall matches are the a main source of revenue for the Pacific Island nations.

      Why does this board have to spoon feed you info? Don't make comments unless you're well informed.

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    6. We played Ireland at Lansdowne Road in November of 2004. Pretty sure we got no revenue sharing for that and that the only compensation would have been travel costs.

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  3. Another reason tier 1 away matches would be a boost is because of the sponsorship opportunities. Guaranteed annual fixtures in England, Ireland or Scotland would open up sponsorship opportunities for USA Rugby from the UK or Ireland branch of USA companies.

    Remember how upset Nigel was because last fall's internationals were moved to north Wales? This was the IRB throwing the WRU a bone because they are trying to grow rugby in the north of Wales were football is the popular game because of proximity to the football hotbeds of Liverpool and Manchester. There is no regional team in north Wales and they had just built a new stadium. Nigel wanted the matches in England for network and marketing reasons.

    ReplyDelete

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