The All Blacks test against the United States Eagles in Chicago was a huge success and now the United States is getting a professional competition.
The United States has emerged as a new market for New Zealand rugby players with a sanctioned professional league starting there next year.
The Professional Rugby Organization (PRO Rugby) was launched in New York yesterday and has the backing of USA Rugby and World Rugby.
It will feature six teams drawn from the north-east, California and the Rocky Mountains region. Canadian-based teams were set to join in 2017 too.
Venues and coaches will be announced shortly with playing squads to follow.
Football has finally gained a firm foothold in the lucrative United States sporting market with the successful MLS competition that features high-profile foreign players in the various franchises.
Already at risk to losing talent to Europe and Japan, the ambitious American market now looms as another avenue for New Zealand talent to explore - both players and coaches.
PRO Rugby chief executive Doug Schoninger described rugby as a natural fit for USA.
Source: stuff.co
