Rugby World Cup: USA tournament would be a ‘catapult to the future,’ says captain Blaine Scully
Japan’s unexpected defeat of Ireland at the Rugby World Cup will no doubt have drawn envious glances from teams that no so long ago viewed the Brave Blossoms as close rivals.
That includes the USA, twice victorious against Japan at World Cups but now several paces behind in international rugby.
A third of the country tuned in for the Brave Blossoms’ game against Samoa – the fixture that followed the 19-12 victory over Ireland – and with the knockout stages looming, rugby fever continues to sweep through Japan.
“I think that’s what all of us want,” United States captain Blaine Scully tells CNN Sport of Japan’s win against Ireland.
“It’s good for the game, it’s good for the rugby world, the rugby landscape … they’re serving as an incredible example of the growth of a rugby country both on the field and through the experience they’ve been able to provide with the Rugby World Cup.”
For a team that was being thrashed 145-17 just over two decades ago, Japan’s transformation from plucky underdog to potential quarterfinalist is certainly heartening, and the USA, which is thought to have ambitions of hosting the Rugby World Cup in 2027, can look to the Japanese for encouragement.
Blaine Scully (center) competes for a high ball against France. Mike Hewitt/Getty Images AsiaPac/Getty Images
“I think (the US hosting the tournament) would be a dream come true for a lot of us. You think what it would be like running out of the tunnel in an American city representing the United States at the Rugby World Cup – it would be a really special experience.
“For us it’s making sure that we focus on the nuts and bolts of growing American rugby to really get the maximum impact that hosting the Rugby World Cup could have as a catalyst and a catapult to the future.”
The Eagles lost their first three games against England, France, and Argentina, but now has its best chance of victory yet against Tonga. The chances of a quarterfinal berth gone, the team’s last pool stage game is about confidence and pride.
But there have been promising signs this World Cup. At one point in the second-half, the US trailed France by just three points; it was three late tries that produced the lopsided 33-9 scoreline.
Source: edition.cnn.com