Best of the Rest

This week we’ve got a spread of articles from Japan to Uruguay, from Australia to Scotland. A brief chat with an NFL prospect, young Canadian talent making a splash in Rugby League, Uruguay’s thoughts on the race to Americas 2, and of course the hot topic of the week – the Pro 12 expansion.

 

Psalm Wooching dreams of playing for the Eagles – by Jason Graves / The Runner Sports

Re-claimed from American football, the big winger has hits sights set on the big stage.

 

Rugby League takes a big Canadian step forward – by Dario Passarelli / Fredi

We don’t cover much League around here but Quinn Ngawati is a story worth watching.

 

Americans Would Have Hated It – by Victor Mather / The New York Times

Surely there are plenty in the USA who can appreciate the Lions result.

 

From a Harlequin to Canada’s Most-Capped Man – by Brock Smith / Aedelhard

Great to see Brock writing on rugby again, and for an interesting new rugby lifestyle brand.

 

Exeter Chiefs and the Elephant in the Room – by Alex Shaw

Thought-provoking piece on cultural appropriation that can also be appreciated in North America.

 

Radical Expansion Plans for Pro 12 Raise Big Questions – by Tom English / BBC

Phase one of the expansion invites the South Africans. Phase two, the Americans.

 

Thoughts on the Pro 12 Expansion to South Africa – by Rory Baldwin / Scottish Rugby Blog

A good collection of opinions from the viewpoints of Ireland, Wales, Italy, South Africa, and Scotland.

 

Australian Rugby is Paying the Price for Ignoring its Grassroots – by Peter FitzSimons / The Sydney Morning Herald

Are there parallels to be drawn with Canadian rugby?

 

Canada, a Tough but Beatable Rival – by Ignacio Chans / El Observador

Uruguay certainly respect Canada, but they no longer fear them.

 

End of Rugby Road for Suntory Warrior Ennis – by Shi David / The Japan Times

A blast from the past, an interview with a Canadian great when he called it a career in 2000.