Louis Rees-Zammit’s Transition to American Football
Louis Rees-Zammit, a former Wales rugby star, has made headlines by transitioning to American Football. He has signed with the Kansas City Chiefs, a move that has caught the attention of both rugby and NFL fans. This transition is seen as an opportunity for rugby to gain exposure in North America. World Rugby CEO Alan Gilpin views Rees-Zammit’s move to the NFL as a chance to bring attention to rugby in new markets. Rees-Zammit is currently training with NFL stars like Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce, aiming to make the final 53-man roster.
While some see his switch to the NFL as a concern for rugby, Gilpin believes it can help develop the sport. The governing body of World Rugby has struggled to effectively promote the game in the U.S., despite small steps forward like Major League Rugby. The U.S. national rugby team is currently ranked 19th in the world, which hampers growth efforts. Hosting the Rugby World Cup in 2031 and 2033 and including rugby sevens in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics are seen as significant opportunities for growth. Gilpin emphasizes that making rugby more mainstream in the U.S. could have a massive global impact on participation, audience engagement, and commercial rights.
New Southern Hemisphere Contender for World Rugby Chairman
A new contender from the Southern Hemisphere has emerged in the race for the World Rugby chairman role. Senior figures in SANZAAR (South Africa, New Zealand, Australia, Argentina) are persuading Brett Robinson to stand against John Jeffrey for the position. The election is critical for rugby’s “battle for relevance” on the global sporting stage. John Jeffrey, the current vice-chairman and former Scotland and Lions flanker, is the only declared candidate to succeed Sir Bill Beaumont. Brett Robinson, a former Australia flanker and current World Rugby executive board member, is being considered as a potential candidate by SANZAAR unions.
The chairman post has been held by administrators from Six Nations unions since Vernon Pugh became the first elected chairman in 1996. Northern hemisphere hegemony faces a serious challenge with Robinson’s potential candidacy. Supporters believe Robinson (54) is better equipped than Jeffrey (65) to handle challenges facing rugby, especially in Australia and New Zealand. Concerns include threats from rival codes like Australian Rules and rugby league, competition from other sports, falling participation numbers, and financial pressures.
Some unions doubt the heavy investment required to grow rugby’s footprint in the U.S. market by staging the 2031 World Cup there. Robinson is seen as a change candidate with commercial experience and dynamism. He is expected to bring greater accountability to the executive during a time of embracing a 20-year growth strategy. Further discussions are expected during World Rugby meetings in Paris, coinciding with the Sevens tournament at the Olympic Games.
Inquiries Underway After Alleged Assault on Rugby Referee
An alleged assault on a rugby referee during a senior club game in Ashburton, Mid Canterbury, has sparked investigations. The incident occurred on Saturday afternoon during the senior B semifinal between Hampstead and Celtic. A club coach allegedly stormed onto the field and struck the referee. The coach also allegedly assaulted players who tried to intervene. Police and rugby officials are investigating the incident. Tanya Dearns, chief executive of the Mid Canterbury Rugby Union (MCRU), confirmed a judicial review is underway but could not comment further. Both clubs involved have declined to comment while the provincial union conducts its review.
A witness reported high tensions during the final stages of the game at Hampstead Rugby and All Sports Club. The situation escalated at the final whistle with punches being thrown. Police are investigating after officers were called to the ground. No charges have been laid yet. Canterbury Rugby and the Canterbury Rugby Referees Association have been approached for comments.
Antoine Dupont’s Olympic Ambitions
Antoine Dupont is a key player for France as they aim for a strong start in the Olympic Games. The men’s sevens rugby event has been moved forward in the schedule to boost the host nation’s morale. Paris has waited a century for the return of the Olympic Games, and Dupont is seen as a once-in-a-lifetime player. Dupont possesses exceptional skills: vision, ambidextrous kicking, speed, evasive runs, and physical strength. He led France to their first Six Nations title in over a decade in 2022 and was named the world’s best men’s player in 2021. Dupont also leads his club team Toulouse to national and continental success regularly.
On day one of the Games at Stade de France, Dupont aims to add Olympic gold to his achievements if all goes well in qualifying rounds. The men’s sevens event’s rescheduling aims to give France a golden lift-off with no added pressure. If successful, this short-term switch will set Dupont apart from his peers definitively. Dupont announced his Olympic ambitions shortly after France’s narrow loss to South Africa in the 2023 World Cup quarter-finals on home soil. Despite being rushed back from a cheekbone fracture during the World Cup group stage, he now seeks redemption at Stade de France nine months later.
Dupont enjoys challenging himself with new experiences and sees playing in Paris as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. His adaptation to sevens rugby has been impressively seamless; he helped France win bronze in Vancouver and gold in Los Angeles during the World SVNS Series earlier this year. Returning to sevens at the end of May, he contributed decisively to France winning their first-ever year-end title at the series finals in Madrid by scoring crucial tries. Thierry Janeczek praises Dupont’s impact on sevens rugby, noting that it’s Dupont who is elevating the sport rather than vice versa. Janeczek highlights that sevens rugby suits players like him who excel in agility and skill rather than physical confrontation.
The French team is not solely reliant on Dupont; head coach Jérôme Daret also has talented players like wingers Stephen Parez and Nelson Epée, along with captain Paulin Riva. Despite being drawn into Group C alongside double gold medalists Fiji, Janeczek remains confident about their chances. At just 27 years old, Dupont is already considered one of rugby’s all-time greats. Beyond sports, Dupont uses his high profile for social causes; he appeared on Têtu magazine’s cover advocating against homophobia and criticized far-right magazine Valeurs Actuelles for misusing rugby’s image politically. Organizers hope that starting with a strong performance from Dupont and his teammates will ignite local enthusiasm for the Games.
New Orleans Rugby Players Transform into Drag Queens for a Good Cause
New Orleans rugby players from the Crescent City Rougaroux team transformed into drag queens for a benefit drag show at Oz New Orleans, a popular French Quarter gay bar and dance club, on July 20, 2024. Six members of the Crescent City Rougaroux rugby team participated in the event. Their drag personas included Cali Fornication, Stevie D—s, S’C r e a m Queen, Bear Necessities, Elmer Thudd, and Stormy Avery.
Cali Fornication performed to Katy Perry while dressed in a hot pink two-piece set with oversized sunglasses. Stevie D—s fed McDonald’s french fries to random people in the crowd during Lady Gaga’s “Bad Romance.” Elmer Thudd caught a human dressed as a rabbit on stage. S’C r e a m Queen captivated the audience with performances in various outfits including a tank top and Cher Horowitz-esque skirt. Stormy Avery’s Demi Lovato medley was well-received, especially her pretend death drop that ended with her landing on her feet and shaking her head. Bear Necessities stripped down to a corset and bikini briefs while lip-syncing “Funhouse” by P!nk.
Lexis Redd D’Ville hosted the event, dazzling in a white one-piece and bedazzled denim chaps. She kept the crowd entertained and helped sell raffle tickets for a 50/50 drawing. The event aimed to raise funds to make the Crescent City Rougaroux rugby team financially inclusive, ensuring no player’s financial situation is a barrier to playing rugby. Founded in 2017, Crescent City Rougaroux is Louisiana’s first LGBTQ+ inclusive rugby team. Sponsored by Phoenix Bar, Oz New Orleans, and Gay Camping Friends.
The team focuses on building an inclusive community with lasting impact on the New Orleans area. They welcome people of any skill level and experience. The team will host a Rugby 101 session on Saturday, August 24 at City Park for those interested in joining. All proceeds from the drag show (door cover, tips, merchandise sales) go directly back to supporting the players. Justin Mitchell can be contacted via email at [email protected] for more information or news tips.
Spain’s Rise in World Rugby
Spain is emerging as a significant force in world rugby. Los Leones (Spanish national rugby team) recently defeated Tonga 29-20 in Nuku’alofa. Spain nearly upset Samoa in Apia six days earlier, indicating their rising status despite being excluded from the last World Cup for fielding an ineligible player. Spanish players celebrated their victory alongside the country’s Under 20s team, which came back from a 14-0 deficit to beat Fiji and retain their place in the junior global showcase next year.
The success of Spain’s rugby teams highlights the potential for growth in rugby across the Iberian Peninsula, following Portugal’s strong performance at the World Cup last year. Rugby authorities are urged to support and nurture Spain’s growing interest and talent in rugby, evidenced by large crowds at domestic finals and international matches. EPCR has chosen Bilbao for another Champions and Challenge Cup finals weekend, but more efforts are needed to promote rugby in Spain, such as hosting the Under 20s tournament.
The article argues against accepting Qatar’s offer to host the Nations Championship finals due to human rights concerns and lack of genuine market potential compared to Europe’s vast potential for growth. Portugal continues to build on its promising World Cup showing, while Georgia also demonstrated strong performance against Australia despite losing narrowly. The article calls for a true meritocracy in rugby competitions, suggesting that no country should have an automatic right to remain in elite tournaments like the Six Nations without proving their worth.
England’s Under 20s’ recent Junior World Cup triumph indicates improved youth pathways after previous disruptions. These young talents need opportunities at club level to fulfill their potential. Ardie Savea’s move to Moana Pasifika is highlighted as a significant transfer motivated by cultural heritage rather than financial gain. His decision is expected to positively impact Samoan and Tongan rugby development. Vannes’ ticket sales chaos underscores French rugby’s ongoing boom. Following promotion to Top 14, Vannes experienced high demand for season tickets, reflecting growing interest in rugby across France. The RFU missed an opportunity by scheduling England ‘A’ vs. Australia ‘A’ at The Stoop instead of showcasing the game elsewhere in England where it could attract new fans.
In conclusion, the world of rugby is buzzing with exciting developments and significant changes. From Louis Rees-Zammit’s transition to American Football to Antoine Dupont’s Olympic ambitions, and from the rise of Spain in world rugby to the inclusive efforts of the Crescent City Rougaroux team, the sport continues to evolve and capture the hearts of fans worldwide.
