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The drama from the cancellation of the Independence Cup hadn’t even settled before organizers RugbyLaw were back in the headlines. Unfortunately for the Minnesota-based group, it was for all the wrong reasons. The group posted another setback this past week as they pulled the plug on their proposed Hemisphere Cup match. The Hemisphere Cup was scheduled to have Aviva Premiership side Saracens take on the Crusaders from Super Rugby at the Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Unlike the Independence Cup, which was halted due to lack of sanctioning from USA Rugby, the Hemisphere Cup had the blessing of USA Rugby contingent on the approval of the turf at the New Orleans Superdome.
Without sanctioning issues to block the match, the question now turns to why that match was cancelled?
“RugbyLaw with greatest regret has canceled both games which we were using as a platform to introduce, for the very first time ever, professional and elite premiership rugby XV to the USA,” said RugbyLaw founder George Robertson.
Inside sources report that even though the turf at the Superdome was a similar surface material to other rugby fields that have been approved for play, there were differences in the under layer that was going to require testing before approval. The World Rugby Regulation 22 certification process is lengthy. RugbyLaw had not initiated the certification process expecting it to be cleared based on it being a similar surface to other sanctioned fields.
“There was intense interest expressed by USAR on the turf,” added Robertson. “Given the acts taken by USAR in Philadelphia, it was a reasonable business risk assessment. RugbyLaw thought it best for all parties to cancel the game.”
Other rumors suggested that ticket sales were the reason for the cancellation and the issues with the turf served as the final straw. Tickets sales were extremely poor for the Saracens/Crusaders match, which was set to take place on August 1st.
Robertson confirmed the rumor stating, “Both games had low ticket sales, despite being with three of the best premiership clubs in the world. We think that USAR’s total lack of support and hostility towards these games being the main cause.”
Promotion and marketing for both the Independence Cup and Hemisphere Cup were limited to posts on social media, far from the type of marketing blitz needed to pull in the numbers to fill NFL stadiums. Tickets that were sold to the events were likely to rugby faithful, but an understandably skeptical rugby community steered clear for the most part. USA Rugby may not have been supportive of the events, but there was not any sort of public campaign, from the governing body directed towards membership, telling people not to attend.
In a World Cup year, none of the professional clubs involved in the matches were bringing full strength sides. The lack of star-power could have also been a factor at play with the ticket sales.
Officials from both Saracens and the Crusaders have expressed their disappointment in the cancellation. Both sides insinuating that they had been assured all along that the match would take place. Crusaders Officials have graciously offered season tickets to fans that had already booked trips to the USA to watch the match.
“We are disappointed that the Hemisphere’s Cup clash has been cancelled, it would have been a great showcase event and opportunity to help grow rugby on a global scale,” said Saracens chief operating officer Stefan Crouse in an Official release from the club.
“Unfortunately the decision is completely outside of our control and we will reluctantly have to accept it. We feel for any Saracens or Crusaders supporters who were planning to visit the game, plus the wider USA rugby public who were highly anticipating the clash.”
The reputation of RugbyLaw had been in question since their first couple of halted attempts to get the Independence Cup rolling. The group has also not endeared themselves to the rugby community after a number of heated online conversations regarding the NRFL popped up with Robertson at the center of the debates.
“We had sought out interaction and cooperation from USAR since 2010 and had many discussions with USAR from that time, all positive and encouraging in our plan,” added Robertson. “We not only wished to prosper in professional rugby union play in the USA, but also wished to be a terrific add to the general development and growth of rugby in the USA.”
With multiple halted attempts at hosting matches in three years, a public rub against the sport’s governing body that could get uglier, and little to no support from the rugby community RugbyLaw’s future is certainly in doubt. As their options are likely limited to going at it completely alone, could this be RugbyLaw’s swan song?
“A healthy premiership rugby union launch in the USA will be as varied and as numerous as the comparable population of European rugby. There will be several leagues. Over the years it will settle to one or two leagues,” finished Robertson. “USAR should hope that it is us who prevails because the people who replace us or also come alongside us may be far more disagreeable.”
