<p>Is anyone planning to attend the World Cup in New Zealand this fall? The US team is in a tough group and I hope some games will be televised. I could not convince my son to do his study abroad during this same time period so he could see a game or two. This is a new sport for me and I am beginning to understand the rules, but haven’t figured out the tactics and strategies yet.</p>
<p>My husband is planning to attend with some friends. He went to the first World Cup in 1987 (I believe that was the year) in Australia and New Zealand. We both attended games in 1999 in Wales, London and Scotland. My older son plays for his college club but really can’t take the time to attend. Our younger son will be a junior in high school and definitely can’t afford to miss school so I’ll be home with him.</p>
<p>The fall college rugby season conflicts with the games. Did your husband play when he was younger?</p>
<p>My husband started playing in college and still plays occasionally for his college alumni team. Seven years ago when our kids were 12 and 9 we started a youth rugby club in our local area with 14 kids and 3 coaches. Today we have over 100 boys and girls ranging in ages from 8 - 19. It’s been really exciting and with the publicity of rugby back in the Olympics in 2016 the interest has been phenomenal!</p>
<p>NBC televised the US-Ireland match today. Ireland won 22-10. The US tackled hard and Ireland wore out the forward line. US vs Russia next.</p>
<p>I’m not going to NZ but I’ll be watching on TV. I love rugby. </p>
<p>Aussies will pulverize Ireland next week.</p>
<p>Line outs were horrible for US. Also our wing play was horrible. The ball hardly came out on the wing and when it did, a lot of confusion and bunching up.</p>
<p>This was the first rugby game I’ve watched - after viewing lots of football and soccer - and it was the most violent sport - even more so than ice hockey.</p>
<p>If you have DirecTV you can get individual games on Pay Per View (the ones not on NBC or Universal Sports). I hope USA does okay but it can be very frustrating watching them play. On the other hand watching New Zealand play is wonderful</p>
<p>I’m not very knowledgable when it comes to rugby. Was it normal to have so many players crashing into downed players once the ball carrier was taken to the ground? It was hard to believe nobody got seriously hurt.</p>
<p>Watching the World Cup after seeing a college game showed me how big the difference is in playing ability. Now I have to see if I get the Universal Channel.</p>
<p>This is probably just me being lazy, but I’ve tried several times to find a schedule of when games will be televised in the U.S. and on which channels (not PPV). I did watch USA-Ireland and thought we looked pretty good at times. Anybody know where to find the TV schedule for the remainder of the cup?</p>
<p>[Rugby</a> - Video, News, Blogs & Photos | Universal Sports](<a href=“http://www.universalsports.com/rugby/index.html]Rugby”>http://www.universalsports.com/rugby/index.html)</p>
<p>[AtdheNet.TV</a> - Watch Free Live Sports TV](<a href=“Loading...”>Loading...). Might be some live streaming.</p>
<p>Here is the schedule on Universal Sports and NBC. All times are Eastern</p>
<p>9/15 3:30 am Russia vs USA Universal
9/23 4:30 am Australia vs USA Universal
9/27 2:30 am Italy vs USA Universal
10/2 3:00 pm New Zealand vs Canada NBC
10/15 4:00 am Semifinal 1 Universal
10/16 4:00 am Semifinal 2 Universal
10/21 3:30 am Third Place Match Universal
10/23 3:00 pm Final NBC</p>
<p>Thanks! :)</p>
<p>The US defeated Russia and now has a 1-1 record. In other sports a defeat against mighty Russia would draw big headlines in the press, but not in rugby.</p>
<p>On September 23rd, if the US can defeat favored Australia then they have a shot at advancing to the next round. Australia was defeated by Ireland 15-6 and they are not unbeatable. </p>
<p>My son told me he was impressed with Ireland’s lineouts in their match with the US. His college team inserted some new lineout plays during practices this week. I’ll watch the team’s game this afternoon and see how the plays work.</p>