I've seen signs that Rugby is starting to catch on in the USA. Several local high schools have boys teams and more than a few have girl's teams as well. It has caught in as a woman's sport at several east coast universities.

At that level, they're all prima donnas (and encouraged to be so). My husband and I have been very involved in the local pro soccer scene; when our team (Richmond (Virginia) Kickers) has played the top national teams, the difference in the players' attitudes is striking. I'll take semi-pros any day of the week. They still want to play the game!

And besides which, at the semi-pro level, in most stadiums you can get right up to the action and see some lovely young bodies moving in all their glory. Hard not to appreciate that. *g* In the big pro stadiums, though, you might as well be at home watching on tv.

I don't know about pro rugby crowds, but in top level pro soccer/football stadiums, you're as likely to have a drunk sloshing beer at your elbow. Much preferable to be in your own living room, if you ask me.

hahahaha...soccer? I don't watch it, but it is amazing how the players of certain national teams can hurl to the ground, crash into the grass, poke both eyes and sprain a foot in the process - and all that because of a feather-light touch or...*gasp* even without being touched at all!

The German "Bayern Muenchen" should be the team for you, though, they are border-line rugby players in my opinion. ;)

Rugby is definitely catching on here -- the college championships for 7 on 7 (I think that's what it was... it was the Championship 7s, so maybe it was just 7 minutes each half) were televised recently, and I think I even know some of the rules now.

I think the flopping in soccer is a major subconscious reason as to why the sport isn't huge yet in the states. The majority here won't take it seriously unless the people playing take it seriously, and stop trying to draw gratuitous fouls. It's really quite pathetic. You should fall down, look to see if the ref noticed, and if he hasn't, suck it up and get up. Don't go through all of those stupid theatrics.

But then again, I come from a city that cheered when an opposing football player was nearly paralyzed and had to be carried off the field, so maybe my bias is a little evident.

But overall: Suck. It. Up.

It's a gorgeous sport played by many prissies (among true athletes, that is).