Wallaby stunned but supportive of a US Super Rugby team
Wallabies halfback Jake Gordon has thrown his support behind the notion of expanding the Super Rugby Pacific into the Americas.
But he admits to being shocked when learning powerbrokers were considering the prospect of establishing a team on the west coast to give the US a greater rugby presence ahead of their hosting of the 2031 World Cup.
"I haven't heard that. You've stunned me a little bit there," Gordon told reporters when asked which Californian city might be the most logical location for a 12th Super team.
"I'm not sure how a 12th team would work from America. I see there's a lot of guys playing over there from Australia (in the Major League Rugby).
"They've sort of taken the tier (of players) between Shute Shield and Super Rugby.
"Especially at my club at Sydney Uni, there's probably about 10 guys now playing over there and you can see the competition's growing.
"Jed Holloway, Brad Wilkin are now at San Diego, a good old housemate, Maclean Jones, and Mick Shorter at Chicago, and you can see the standard is definitely rising."
Conceding he has "no idea" if an American team will be the next to enter Super Rugby amid reported concerns from World Rugby officials after awarding the US the global showpiece in six years, Gordon thinks South Africa returning to the fold "would be nice".
A Japanese franchise in a closer time zone to Australia and New Zealand is a more obvious option, but Gordon understands why rugby's stakeholders are considering going down the left-field US path.
"It's important we grow the game," he said after announcing on Wednesday he'd recommitted to the NSW Waratahs and Australian rugby for another two years.
"If they're going to have a World Cup there, we need to have some presence over there.
"I'm not sure on how MLR's going. I have been watching a few games because I've got housemates over there and the rugby is progressing.
"I'm not sure on their coverage and how many eyes they're getting on the sport, but you're seeing rugby league now into that market.
"I think it's important with the World Cup coming up that we strengthen the home international team and maybe it's exciting and new.
"Doesn't sound like too bad an idea."
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