THE men’s event may have been marred by controversy but a new women’s Nines mini-tour for the United States got off to a successful start last weekend.
The Tampa Nines at Keystone Prep High in Odessa, Florida, was the first rugby league activity for the year in the US, which has been riven by a breakaway competition, the North American Rugby League.
And in the men’s division, the controversy continued with Jacksonville claiming the trophy – in a literal sense, with their hands – without playing a final. Their would-be final opponents, Roots USA, then boycotted their final pool game against Copperheads in protest.
There was no such drama in the women’s division. It was not the first women’s activity in the US as there was a female component to the unsanctioned Carolina Nines two year ago – but it was the first under the USARL banner.
The Roots’ female team played in that decider, against union side Chicago North Shore who won 12-4 in what the defeated coach Curtis Cunz called “one of the most competitive games I’ve ever seen at this level.”
The Chicago North Shore club was formed in 1995 and played its first ever rugby league variant in Tampa but looked well drilled with several players impressing USA women’s coach Garen Casey who was present.
Addressing both the men’s controversy and the women’s success, USARL chairman Peter Illfield said: Jacksonville (men) believe they won the tournament based on the initial tournament rules…. undefeated and best on ‘for and against’.
“The bigger story here is the magnificent effort by the tournament organisers and participation by the women’s teams. It’s given USA Rugby League a whole new dimension in the ability to develop the game and provide expansion in participation and fan interest.“
The women’s mini-tour continues in Los Angeles on June 17, Salt Lake City on July 10 and Chicago on August 20 and 21st.
Photo: Bryce Moseley
