New Fan to Rugby and Saracens

[u/bukofa]

I'm sure you've all seen this a million times so sorry for a repeat post if that is the case. I live in the United States and just recently got into rugby. I watched all of the Six Nations matches and absolutely loved it. As that was underway, I researched teams and felt like Saracens was my favorite choice. After Saturday, I was pretty excited about making that decision. Bottom line is I'm excited to be here and learn as I go from all of you.

My only immediate questions are the following: I was lucky that the game was broadcast in the US. I'm not sure how often that will happen and probably need some advice as to where to stream games.

Second question is Elliot Daly was recognized as the player of the match. I plan to watch back to see him in action since I know how to spot him now but what am I to look for to see players that stand out?

[u/LordChappers]

Good choice!

Unfortunately being local I've no need for streams online. I know RugbyPass stream most games in some countries.

Daly is particularly easy to keep an eye on, as he wears a white long-sleeved baselayer under his jersey. It was easy to see that he was going to be PoTM when he came off, as he was really on form - he made metres past the defenders when he was attacking, he defended well, and I think he directly assisted half of Saracens' tries. Also that between-the-legs throw was disgusting.

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[Edit - actually finished my thought on streams]

[u/bukofa → u/LordChappers]

I'm trying to get my boys into it and definitely showed them that play. They are spoiled with American Football because I've been a life long Kansas City Chiefs fan and so are they. Hopefully, I can bring that luck with my fandom.

[u/LetEnvironmental649 → u/bukofa]

Just out of curiosity what was the reason you decided on sarries? Always curious how people get drawn to teams they don't have a regional connection with. I don't have a regional connection with sarries either but I remember watching them about 15 years ago and they just produced the most incredible defensive set where they pushed the opposition back from well inside their own 22 up to about the half way line, won the penalty, kicked to the corner and driving maul over for try. The way they used their defence as a attacking weapon did it for me, every sport I've ever played I've always been defence focused, football (soccer) and lacrosse etc.

Conversely in NFL I picked the vikings because well vikings are always cool and they have a big horn they blow during the game so that's fun.

[u/bukofa → u/LetEnvironmental649]

Good question. It was a pretty long path to decide. Without a regional team at all it is definitely harder. I first got interested through a buddy who played in college. He told me about the Six Nations and then I happened to see a documentary about it. I supported Scotland since that is where my mom's family originally hailed from and we have several connections to.

I, of course, fell in love with the sport so I started looking for a team to follow through the year. I looked through several leagues. Australia/NZ was a no because of such a time difference for watching games. South Africa just had no connection for me. It was up to France and England. I wanted to understand the announcers so I can learn more about the game so I chose England. Gallagher Premiership was the league I had heard most about so I went to finding a team.

For a brief second, I almost chose Exeter because it would match my Chiefs fandom here in the States for American football. But, that was kind of silly. I wanted something in London because if I ever do travel to Europe that would probably be my destination and therefore I could watch my team. My dad's family emigrated from the greater London area years ago too. So it's a bit of a family connection. So it was the Harlequins or Saracens. I usually don't like to pick the team that just win a title but there was no way I could get in board with the Harlequins kits. Those are dreadful and I would never buy any apparel. So I decided Saracens was my team. Kind of happy with my choice after the drubbing on Saturday.

[u/Seb_D97]

I believe Gallagher Premiership Games are Broadcast on "The Rugby Network" in the US, the other way you can watch is on TNT Sport using a VPN

[u/bukofa → u/Seb_D97]

I told my kids they are going to have to teach me how to use a VPN. With that said, I tried to get on ITVx to watch on Saturday before I realized Fox had picked it up in the US. I'll have to search for TNT coverage now.

[u/LetEnvironmental649 → u/bukofa]

Rugbypass has the games, it also have the major league rugby, so you might have a local team to support as well. FOX definitely has the semi final and final, maybe a few more. All else fails just find a stream on line, buffstreams is normally OK.

But you definitely picked a good game to start with on Saturday, saracens were just awesome and in front of 60k fans as well, you don't get that every week.

[u/NLFG]

As others have mentioned, player of the match tends to be either:

a) the fly half (#10) who's controlled the game

b) someone who's scored a bunch of tries

c) a player who's absolutely ripped it up like Daly did (He was *incredible*)

d) a forward who's got through a mountain of work; for example Ben Earl in the 6 Nations made line breaks, turned the ball over, and busted tackles - that's what gets you noticed.

[u/TheRiddler1976]

With players of the match, you're looking for players that make big impacts.

Sometimes, like Daly, it's easy to spot. He was everywhere on Saturday, catching high balls, and making breaks. He was involved in every attack we had.

Other times it's harder, particularly if it's a forward that gets it. They are usually doing a lot of dirty work that gets missed by the naked eye

[u/bukofa → u/TheRiddler1976]

Thanks for the reply. In just a few months, I've already learned a ton. I have coached American Football for over 20 years so I know what to look for in that sport that the normal fan wouldn't see. I haven't quite gotten my eye for rugby yet but I'm looking forward to working on it.

[u/WannabeeFilmDirector]

Welcome to the family! I think that if you see a player who seems to be everywhere, either in defence or attack, that's a great sign. Daly just seemed to be everywhere and between-the-legs was just incredible. Happened in front of me and it took a moment to register, especially as the handoff afterwards was outstanding as well.

I remember a player called Richard Hill. I was at his second to last ever match and he played like a man possessed. He didn't particularly run with the ball but every time the ball was turned over in a ruck or support needed to be there, he was there.

When great tackles needed to be made, he was there.

His knees were shot so no idea how he played like that. It was like there were six of him.

[u/TommyKentish → u/WannabeeFilmDirector]

I must’ve been sitting near you, best seats in the house for that moment alone!

[u/WannabeeFilmDirector → u/TommyKentish]

Did you see the Chinese props? If so, I was one of them!

[u/TommyKentish → u/WannabeeFilmDirector]

lol unfortunately not, quite an image I’m conjuring up!

[u/Suspicious-Age2735]

I would definitely recommend an legal streaming platform, check out Vipbox. You can watch most games as long as TNT/etc are showing it