Quote: Ruddy Duck "Exaactly, you played in the established game of Rugby Union 22 years ago, a code which is more well known in North America and the world as proved by the number of nations that participate in the Rugby Union World Cup.
If our game cannot take off at a professional level in our own country in places like rugby mad South Wales and also Northern France, both of which have been attempted a few seasons ago, what chance has it got in the world of American Football, Baseball, Basketball, Ice Hockey, Rugby Union and Soccer of Canada and the USA.'"
Union was far from established back then. I was only 18 at the time but we were seen as a bit of a circus.
We played the National rep side that was age equivalent and absolutely took them to the cleaners they were awful but the games got media coverage both press and TV.
League is now targeting those areas, where union has a structure. There is much less history over there very little animosity.
Union is now fairly established in Canada but now League has an established pro team they can piggy back off that...and they are by targeting Ottawa as well.
There is little to no American football in Canada, and the seasons are winter based and fairly short in the NFL.
The county is crying out for a Summer contact game but it needs time.