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2019 Rugby World Cup 2027?

6th, Will America Embrace The Game?
November

s you would have
| By Jonathan Bowen There will be a big push on
read in in previous
EXAMINER Aeditions of Irish improve their development
the USA Rugby team to
Examiner USA Ireland did-
n’t exactly do as well as

IRISH they could have during the system so that the team will
Rugby World Cup. A loss
to japan and a thrashing to
New Zealand put an end to be competitive during the
any ambition Ireland had
of winning the cup. tournament; the same way
However, those of you
who read my article a couple Japan was.
of months ago will be aware
that I said South Africa were
capable of winning the Cup
and sure enough they did.
In a final where England
were outplayed, outmuscled
and out thought tactically,
South Africa were deserved
winners and deserved to be
called world champions.
I knew in the end it would
take a man from Munster in
Ireland to finally coach a
team good enough to beat
England. My hats off to
Rassie Erasmus, he was a fan-
tastic coach at Munster and
was in charge of the club dur- Getting to the Quarterfinal atmosphere that comes with Paddy and Garett for their didn’t live up to the experi-
ing its most turbulent time was a massive achievement hosting the Rugby World company, generosity and ence we hoped it would it
when the legendary Anthony and a huge step in the devel- Cup! good nature. I was thrilled would.
Foley died. opment of the game in Japan. There will be a big push on that both of them made the I will not be surprised if I
Rassie lead Munster with On the back of their success the USA Rugby team to trip to experience the atmos- happen to see the both of
great pride and got the team there have already been improve their development phere that comes with a them again in France in four
to achieve success beyond games lined up against top system so that the team will Rugby World Cup, even if years times for more chat
what it was capable of during level opposition such as be competitive during the the Irish game we went to song and good times. C
his tenure. My thoughts now Ireland and England in 2020, tournament; the same way
are: what would have hap- to ensure that the team does- Japan was.
pened had he stayed with n’t lose the professional edge Expect to see more tier
Munster? Would he have led that they have started to one rugby teams to tour the
the team to finally win that develop. US over the coming eight
elusive European Cup the So what next for the years in order to push the
club has been striving for Rugby World Cup? Well, we level of development and
since 2008? travel to France for the next interest in the game. More
So South Africa achieved edition of the tournament All Blacks and Irish games in
the impossible and with that however the tournament Chicago, New York and San
united a very divided coun- after that in 2027 is ear- Francisco.
try, if only for 80 minutes. No marked to be held in the I really hope that the tour-
country needed to win the USA. nament is hosted in the USA.
Cup more for its people than If it works out that the US I want you to experience
South Africa. In two years the holds the World cup not only what the atmosphere and
newly crowned World will I be there to attend good-natured people that
Champions look to the games, but I will watch with travel with rugby teams are.
British and Irish Lions tour interest to see how You will meet so many new
for their next big challenge. Americans buy into the friends, sing so many old
Can the Lions win the series atmosphere and circus that songs and talk to so many
in the South Africa for the comes with hosting the people you will feel you are
first time since 1997? Time Rugby World Cup. back in Ireland!
will tell. Those of you with good Just ask my good friends
Japan was another team memories will remember Paddy and Garett about their
that achieved great success at when the USA held the soccer experience in Japan. It was
a World Cup in which very World Cup in 1994. Well take truly a trip they will not for-
few people gave them a it from me, there will be a far get in a hurry.
chance at achieving anything. bigger party and drinking I just also want to thank