It is one Ryan Martin feels has merit, though.
The former Otago assistant coach is nearing the end of a stint coaching the New England Free Jacks in Major League Rugby.
He is set to link with Super Rugby’s Melbourne Rebels, but has taken plenty from his US experience.
‘‘There’s such a want for something different over here. In terms of spectatorship, sport over here is sold really well,’’ he said.
‘‘Over here in Boston, we’ve created a pretty cool fan base. We’ll get maybe 4000-6000 to a game. They’re super loyal fans as well — they have their own podcast.
‘‘This competition, the MLR, is really good.
‘‘You get a mix of New Zealanders, South Africans and Australians coming here and plying their trade which is only going to upskill the domestic players. So it has the ability to go quite big.’’
Martin said the big difference in American rugby was that the players picked the game up later.
Rugby was not played widely in schools, so athletes often did not start playing until they reached university.
That meant the sport picked up a lot of players who did not make teams in the bigger codes such as American football.
‘‘They come with good physical prowess. But in terms of game sense, game knowledge, the basic skills aren’t there.
‘‘If you think, in New Zealand, the kids are playing at playtime, lunch time, running around with a rugby ball, whereas they probably don’t have that in America.’’
Many of the Americans playing MLR had jobs alongside playing rugby.
That created an interesting mix, as there were many former Super Rugby and NPC players in the league.
Martin had a small Otago contingent with him in Boston and he said they were going well.
In particular, utility back Harrison Boyle was one he felt benefited from the experience.
It gave players the opportunity to play and train full-time year-round, rather than just during the NPC season.
Martin’s Free Jacks are seventh on the table with nine wins from 15 games. They have one game to play.
