Originally posted by danger zone
You seem to take great pride that the rugby world cup is allegedly the second biggest team sports event in the world. That doesnt mean anyone cares about it apart from a new zealand, a couple of auusies, brits and south africans. It doesnt mean a damn thing, because rugby has no hope of expanding becuase people are set in their ways. You cant convert people to like another sport. I can look at it differently living here in the states. Of course my thinking has changed, I've lived here for six years mate. It's hard not to when Rugby doesnt exist, whatsoever. If Americans dont take to soccer why would they take to rugby, hmm? Rugby fans can boast all they want about no 2 this and that, but like i said, it means nothing. So what if it is a fact? What does that mean? Does it mean, 'ha ha, you're wrong becuase that means rugby is so popular'. Bollocks it does. You know why Japan put a few points on the board? Becuase the teams they are playing have regressed while the usual powers have gotten stronger! Japan have always put a few points on the board at evey world cup. So how does that mean they've progressed? Are they winning? No. Will they ever? No. So whats your point then? Scotland beat them 32-11. Only just beat them? Sounds convincing to me. Get it together the lot of you. Pull your heads out of your collective asses and look at the wider picture, where rugby doesnt mean anything to most of the world.
ARGH!
Again, you miss the whole point...We're not saying that Rugby is the worlds number 1 sport...We KNOW that it never will be...
BUT we ARE providing evidence that the Rugby World Cup IS worth it, and thats what this argument is all about...You can mince our words, and try and change the topic around as much as you like, but in the end, the Rugby World Cup is as worthwhile, OR more so than any other major sporting event, apart from the FIFA World Cup...
Japan vs Scotland (IF you actually watched it) was a closer match than the 32-11 scoreline indicates...And even taking that scoreline into account, look at their match against the All Blacks in 1995...The All Blacks score in excess of 100 points...
Seriously you tell us to look at the wider picture? We've never said Rugby means anything to the rest of the world...We never claimed anything like that...HOWEVER, it means more to the rest of the world than anything else you can throw at us, apart from a few major exceptions. I think YOU are the one who needs to look at the wide picture...
So number 2 sporting event means nothing? I think you need to have a long hard look at that statement. If it means nothing, then ALL SPORTING EVENTS, outside the World Cup, MEAN NOTHING.
Think outside the US...Look past the brainwashing that the culture has seemed to enthrust into you...Its a wide world, and more of them play Rugby then the american sports
