The Fijian Drua’s successful participation in the Super Rugby Pacific competition is now being used as a model by World Rugby to enhance rugby standards in the United States. Leading this initiative is Alama Ieremia, a former All Blacks and Manu Samoa star who serves as the back and attack coach for the USA national rugby team, preparing to face the Flying Fijians in the Pacific Nations Cup semi-final in Tokyo, Japan, on Saturday at 10:05 PM.
Ieremia has recently taken on the role of head coach for the Anthem Rugby Carolina team in the American Major League Rugby (MLR) competition, a team established with guidance and partial funding from World Rugby to launch in Charlotte. He emphasized the importance of creating pathways for American and eligible players to progress to the national team, known as the Eagles.
“I’m deeply passionate about developing young American players, and we will focus on this based on the successful model established by the Fijian Drua in Super Rugby,” Ieremia stated.
World Rugby recognized that the establishment of this new team will significantly support the USA men’s national team’s long-term goals, especially in light of their aim to qualify for the Rugby World Cup 2027 in Australia and to host the 2031 tournament. They believe this partnership will mirror the success experienced by Fiji, a quarter-finalist in the recent Rugby World Cup 2023, and see the Anthem Rugby Carolina club as an important part of the MLR’s long-term vision.
In addition to their team development, USA Rugby is actively recruiting eligible players within the global rugby community. Ieremia has reached out to several New Zealand-based players who possess the necessary qualifications to represent the USA.
“We’re definitely expanding our search to connect with players who might have American heritage,” Ieremia said.
Nonetheless, according to USA Eagles head coach Scott Lawrence, integrating new players into the team is still in its early stages. He highlights that any prospective players must have a genuine desire to represent the USA for the right reasons.
After failing to qualify for the last World Cup in France, the USA is now focused on the upcoming 2027 and 2031 tournaments, aiming to make a mark on the world stage. “In 1962, JFK said we’d go to the moon, and seven years later we did. Seven years from now, we aim to be in a World Cup quarter-final—that’s our target,” Lawrence declared.