GRR: Rugby World Cup
NBC Sports’ presentation of the 2023 Rugby World Cup from France - featuring every match live on Peacock - begins tomorrow, Friday, Sept. 8, with host-nation and World No. 3 France taking on World No. 4 New Zealand at 3:15 p.m. ET live exclusively on Peacock.
Op-Ed Column By Josh Williams and Jacob Campbell; edited by Ashley Sullivan—This is the second of two contributions on how to improve USA Rugby, to not only ensure we qualify for the next Rugby World Cup in 2027 but that we develop a culture and process for continuous improvement and better outcomes on and off the pitch.
Losing out on the 2023 Rugby World Cup perhaps hasn't sunk in on USA fans, but following the 16-16 tie with Portugal the players tried to offer some perspective.
"I think we all knew what we were going against," said USA prop David Ainu'u. "We knew it was going to be a tough battle. It was tough but the boys did a good job moving onto the next job. It is what it is."
The USA will not be playing in Rugby World Cup 2023.
The Eagles tied Portugal in Dubai in the Final Qualifier Tournament, and with Portugal having the better Points Difference in the series of games, it is the Portuguese Lobos who will go to France, not the USA.
USA Men's 15s Hed Coach Gary Gold has made a couple of changes for his lineup as the Eagles face Portugal Friday in Dubai for the final spot in Rugby World Cup 2023.
It's winner take all as both Portugal and the USA are 2-0 in the Final Qualifier Tournament.