The conditions could not have been more different as PRO Rugby launched its maiden season with 2 games on Sunday. In Denver there was an epic snowstorm; in Sacramento the match was played in near ideal California conditions.

What was not different was the intensity on and off the pitch in Denver, where the hosts beat Ohio 16 / 13 in an overtime thriller, and Sacramento, who beat rivals San Francisco 37 / 25. Both games exhibited the potential of a bright future for American rugby.

“We strive for perfection,” said Sacramento head coach Luke Gross, once of the US Eagles and Newcastle Falcons second rows. “It wasn’t perfect today but a lot of good things happened and we have a lot to work on.”

Those words could easily be applied to PRO Rugby’s opening day. The league was able to accomplish something no one had ever achieved in America: have fans pay to watch 2 professional sides predominantly made up of American players. Nearly 6 000 fans showed up between Denver and Sacramento. In its 1st season, the league is targeting 3 000 – 4 000 fans per match.

More important for founder Doug Schoninger was the enthusiasm the crowds brought. In Sacramento fans showed up early, clearly excited to take part in history. They bought jerseys and cheered on their team with chants of “Sacramento!” while banging on the bleachers.

“The crowd was amazing,” said Schoninger. “Sacramento is a sports town and they’ve embraced yet another team.”

The league officially got under way earlier in the day, in the Denver suburb of Glendale at Infinity Park, a stadium purpose built for rugby. Ohio, who took on a bit of an underdog label in the preseason, jumped out to a 10 / 0 lead. Roland Suniula had the honors of scoring the 1st try in the competition; Ohio lead 10 / 3 at halftime.

When scrumhalf Shaun Davies added a 2nd penalty it looked like the visitors might steal a victory. But Michael Al-Jiboori and Nick Wallace scored late tries for Denver to send the match into overtime.

The addition of 10-minute sudden death overtime and fewer scrum resets are 2 features of PRO Rugby that make it unlike any other competition. While traditionalists might cringe at the thought of an “Americanization” of the game, the idea behind overtime is to do just that, to appeal to American fans who find draws distasteful. Overtime also sets up late-game heroics – in Denver, Will Magie hit a penalty from a tough angle to seal a thrilling win.

Wintry conditions may have prevented expansive rugby in Colorado but in California the warmth only invited it. Straight from the start each looked to find space and were willing to take risks. It led to errors but a willingness to play that type of rugby in front of many new fans has to be applauded.

Sacramento took an early 3 / 0 lead thanks to the boot of Mirco Bergamasco but San Francisco scored the 1st try via former Cal flanker and current Eagle Alec Gletzer. Their lead was extended to 10 / 3 a few minutes later.

The home side scored their 1st try a quarter of the way into the match as scrumhalf Jope Motokana backed himself to go around the defense to the corner. Almost 10 minutes later they took the lead, flyhalf Harry Bennett kicking down the pitch after a turnover and fullback Garrett Brewer scooping up the ball with one hand before diving in for the score.

No lead was secure – San Francisco’s Volney Rouse scored to bring the match to 17 / 13 at the break. A try from Siupeli Sakalia extended the visitors’ lead to 22 / 13 but then Sacramento went on a surge, capped with a penalty try, thanks in large part to 2 Yellow Cards for the visiting team.

A San Francisco penalty extended their lead to 25 / 20 but with less than 10 minutes to play Eagles prop Ollie Kilifi crashed over to give Sacramento a 27 / 25 edge. Local product Ryan Knoewler scored a final try after the hooter.

For the competition, many challenges remain: as Schoninger put it after the match, “it’s more about the journey than it is the destination”. As the competition opens in 3 other markets – San Diego are the 5th team – the jury is out. But if Sunday’s enthusiastic crowds in Sacramento and Denver are any indication, a bright future lies ahead.

theguardian

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