Hodges skeptical about US foreign policy
MAJOR League Rugby has been warned that signing world renowned rugby names such as Ma’a Nonu will do nothing to increase the profile of the game in the United States.
This is the third season of MLR in the US and the latest in the long line of ventures hoping to increase the sport’s profile in the North American sporting landscape.
All Blacks legend Nonu, South African World Cup winner Tendai “Beast” Mtawarira, and former England and France internationals Ben Foden and Mathieu Bastareaud are all playing in the US.
But former general manager of US Rugby David Hodges believes they still won’t help to grow the popularity of the sport.
“Most of the people involved in the US franchises know who Ma’a Nonu and the Beast are so they think they bring value,” said Hodges. “But in terms of the US sporting landscape, Nonu could walk down the street in any major US city and nobody would know who he was.
“Superstar signings can make a difference by elevating the level of play on the field, but they will do nothing to improve the profile and popularity of the game in the States. And they won’t improve things commercially.
“Local players within the communities they are from can sometimes draw more attention than someone who is a huge name. For example, Austin has the University of Texas so if you had a football player who did really well but maybe didn’t play in the NFL on your franchise then he’d bring in more fans than a big name from overseas.”
Former US Eagles No.8 Hodges, who enjoyed a successful career playing for the Scarlets, still believes the MLR has laid the foundations for a stronger national side despite American Rugby declaring bankruptcy amid the coronavirus pandemic.
He said: “It’s a great opportunity for us to develop American players. We are now three years into the MLR and haven’t lost a team yet. In our sporting landscape that’s a pretty good accomplishment.
“There have been other leagues which have started and then folded with either teams folding or the whole league going to the wall.”