The Fijian Drua’s successful model in the Super Rugby Pacific competition is now being implemented by World Rugby to enhance the standard of rugby in the United States. Leading this initiative is Alama Ieremia, a former star center for the All Blacks and Manu Samoa.
Ieremia also serves as the back and attack coach for the USA national rugby team, which will compete against the Flying Fijians in the Pacific Nations Cup semi-final this Saturday in Tokyo, Japan, at 10:05 PM. He has recently taken on the role of head coach for the Anthem Rugby Carolina franchise in the American Major League Rugby (MLR) competition.
This new team, which was established in partnership with World Rugby, received partial funding to launch in Charlotte. Ieremia emphasized the importance of creating pathways for American players to eventually join the Eagles national team. He has expressed enthusiasm for mentoring academy players as part of his focus on developing young American talent, inspired by the Fijian Drua’s approach in Super Rugby.
World Rugby released a statement mentioning that this initiative is designed to enhance the overall performance of the USA men’s national team in preparation for the Rugby World Cup 2027 in Australia and their hosting of the 2031 edition. The partnership is expected to mirror the success achieved by Fiji, who reached the quarter-finals in the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
Additionally, USA Rugby is undertaking a global recruitment effort to identify eligible players in preparation for their hosting responsibilities. Ieremia has reached out to several players based in New Zealand who are eligible to represent the Eagles in the future. He stated, “We’re definitely casting the net to say, hey we’re out here now if you’re keen and have any American blood.”
However, recruiting eligible players and preparing them for international competition is still in the early stages, according to USA Eagles head coach Scott Lawrence. He affirmed that while they are considering these players, it is essential that they demonstrate a genuine desire to represent the USA: “It’s an affair of the heart, not the wallet.”
After not qualifying for the last Rugby World Cup in France, the team’s focus is on the upcoming tournaments in 2027 and 2031, the latter of which will be the first World Cup hosted on the American continent. Lawrence referenced former USA President John F. Kennedy’s 1962 moon landing declaration and stated, “That’s our moon shot, that’s what we’re going to do,” expressing his goal for the USA team to reach the quarter-finals in 2027.