It's been a long while since I posted an article here, but I think I needed the reminder in the title just as much as the team did. This is far from polished journalism-style writing, but more of a love letter to the team. I don't think being critical is helpful at this moment, so I tried to put into words the pick-me-up that I think we all need.
Because the broadcast of yesterday's game turned into a fucking debacle and USARugby has failed to provide any updates besides "a replay will be reposted 'soon,'" here's the game on a Google drive.
Updated Link: https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCOURTS-txwd-1_24-cv-01076/pdf/USCOURTS-txwd-1_24-cv-01076-4.pdf
The Federal race discrimination and conspiracy claims against USA Rugby move forward
The federal civil rights lawsuit brought by rugby referee Justin X. Hale against USA Rugby and Jamie McGregor, USA Rugby’s Director of Training & Education, has cleared a major procedural hurdle.
The case, filed in September 2024, alleges that USA Rugby selectively enforced an unwritten restriction against Hale, a Black referee and member of USA Rugby’s National Development Group, because he officiated matches for National Collegiate Rugby (NCR). Hale alleges that multiple white referees also worked NCR events but continued receiving USA Rugby and professional opportunities without similar consequences.
After multiple rounds of motions to dismiss, a federal Magistrate Judge recommended that Hale’s race discrimination claim under 42 U.S.C. § 1981 and civil rights conspiracy claim under 42 U.S.C. § 1985 be allowed to proceed.
USA Rugby and McGregor objected to that recommendation and asked the District Court to dismiss the surviving claims.
The District Judge rejected those objections.
On race discrimination, the Court found it could draw “the plausible inference that USA Rugby and McGregor knew of similarly situated white individuals who officiated NCR events but nonetheless ‘faced no repercussions.’”
The Court concluded: “Plaintiff has sufficiently pleaded a race discrimination claim under § 1981.”
On the conspiracy claim, the Court pointed to allegations that McGregor reached an agreement with MLR’s head referee manager, David Wilkerson, that no further MLR contracts would be offered to Hale until he spoke with McGregor, concluding: “At this stage of the litigation, this is enough to plead a conspiracy between two individuals.”
As a result, Hale’s federal race discrimination and conspiracy claims will now proceed as the case moves forward.
The crowd at Dick's Sporting Goods Park for the USA-Portugal match looked relatively good. Was there an announced attendance?
Portugal saw it and exploited it. He gave up at least 2 tries at the beginning and his half hearted efforts didn’t help others. Our opponents see it why doesn’t Scott Lawerence. If he puts him in the lineup again it needs to be put in consideration of why he shouldn’t be the coach past 2027
Match Information:
TV: Paramount+ (US)
World Rugby Nations Cup- Round 1
Sat 4th Jul, 21:00 EST
Dick's Sporting Goods Park Commerce City, CO
American Ireland fan here (got into rugby while living in London last year). With the Nations Championship kicking off Friday, I've been trying to get my US friends interested. Because they know American sports well but have zero rugby context, I wrote up a list comparing each Nation's team to a US sports team and emphasizing identity over recent form.
A few of them:
Full write-up with reviews of the four Southern Hemisphere teams I couldn't find US comps for (help me out in the comments?), and predictions for all six opening matches (including why I think Argentina beats Scotland): [full post]
Would love to hear which comps land or miss! Happy to defend the Cowboys one to any English fans in the comments.
Trying to get clarity to organize some club watching events on exactly the streaming services for both new tournaments kicking off tomorrow (7/4 🇺🇸). Here’s what I’ve pieced together (not thrilled by the confirmation sources) can anyone confirm or correct? I also don’t have Paramount+ as I picked up ESPN+ for MLR. Anyhow…
Nations Championship (Tier 1) → RugbyPass TV (free, US)
• New Zealand vs France
• Australia vs Ireland
• South Africa vs England
• Japan vs Italy
• Fiji vs Wales
• Argentina vs Scotland
(Then rest of the matches this month)
Nations Cup (Tier 2) → Paramount+
• USA vs Portugal
• Canada vs Spain
• Uruguay vs Georgia
• Chile vs Romania
• Tonga vs Zimbabwe
• Samoa vs Hong Kong China
(Then rest of the matches this month)
RugbyPass TV lists the Nations Cup fixtures on its schedule page too, but I can’t find an actual stream for them there, ie seems like those rights sit with Paramount+ instead. Also seeing some mentions that Chile vs Romania might air on ESPN/Disney+ for the regional feed, so not sure if that’s a second US option or just noise.
Anyone actually watched a Nations Cup match in the 🇺🇸 on RPTV, or is Paramount+ the only way to get all the matches?
The center pairing for the U 20 s is an awesome. Make sure you take time to watch them. Mitchell and Beatty are perfect backups for lopeti besag. I also like both 10s.
Forwards are not great…….
SL loves that guy way too much! We get a 15 people are actually excited to see and we stick him at 11 so his lil buddy can play 15.
Excited for all the men's nations champions and cup matches, but with the USA womens team touring South Africa I would hope that there is a streaming source for viewers in the USA. The article below, posted back in January, says it'll stream on Paramount+ but looking at their upcoming scheduled events, I just see the nations cup and jwc matches. Is there an update to where they are streaming this match that I'm unaware of, or will it be a last minute live stream availability on Paramount+?
https://eagles.rugby/news/twotest-south-africa-summer-tour-confirmed-for-womens-eagles-2026121
Ridiculous that RugbyPass TV does not have a roku channel or on the Amazon firestick. Having to rig up the laptop just to watch the games this weekend will be so much worse than when they were on Peacock. Why does rugby have to switch providers every year!?
Come down to the sun city and join us for an awesome tournament registration fee listed above, if you contact the team through Instagram we are partnering up with some hotels in the city!
If you're new to rugby come and join our rugby clinic on July 11 and learn a new skill!
The competition begins on Saturday July 4 but no matches listed.
It appears they are following NBC/Peacock example of their not showing any competition the USA isn't competing in.
Since Paramount has the rights to the competition whe can only hope World Rugby includes USA in their list of regions allowed to view RUGBYPASS.TV live streaming.
Why are US networks working overtime to quad interest in the sport?
Welcome to WRR 252 for June 22 through 28. This weekend delivered a sensational haul of sevens silverware as Ukraine swept the European Sevens Trophy, and the Hammerheads secured the domestic LIT Super Sevens crown. In fifteen-a-side action, a youthful Welsh squad stunned the Barbarians, while Saracens captured the PWR title, Stade Bordelais grabbed a historic quadruple in the AXA Elite 1 finale, and the Delhi Redz claimed a historic inaugural franchise title. Beyond the pitch, the professional landscape shifted with a landmark four-year contract framework from the RFU and a game-changing high-performance executive appointment by Rugby Australia, building major momentum just as we look ahead to a colossal international test series brewing between South Africa and the USA!
🌍 Our global women's rugby news recap can be found at: