Humanity is a Ruck
According to Robert Frost, "Nature is a Chaos, Humanity is a Ruck." He wasn't writing about rugby, but Jake wasn't entirely sure the first time he read it. In this episode, the brothers recap the Women's World Cup and consider the All Blacks second win of the season over Australia. Jake is already getting wound up about the Saracens v Newcastle match coming up in Philadelphia, so he is trying to get Ethan equally as excited, though that's no small thing. In the middle of it all, Jake announces his desire for a song for American fans to sing at USA matches. Suggestions welcome!
Into the Semis!
There is a lot for the brothers to catch up on after the longer-than-expected hiatus. Top of Jake's list is the Women's Rugby World Cup and the USA Eagles looming semi-final. Ethan's list of what to talk about was notably short, having drifted away from rugby-thoughts during the hiatus. MLR, The Rugby Championship, and the USA Club 7s Championships all come up as Jake tries to catch Ethan up and blow life into the embers of Ethan's "real fan" status.
A Tie That Is Still a Loss
Jake catches Ethan up on rugby news and the brothers react to the first leg of the home-and-away USA Canada series. Neither brother was thrilled with how the match went, but there was a significant gap in frustration and disappointment. The brothers were in agreement, though, in the value in a recent Deadspin guide to rugby.
So Far Behind
The brothers talk about the USA loss to Georgia and agree that the first half was hard to watch. With a big loss to Ireland and then a lurching performance against Georgia, Ethan asks: How can we be so far behind? Jake does his best to answer, and they also touch on a good sign from Major League Rugby and the Lions' tour in New Zealand.
A Loss Too Ugly?
Ethan gives his reaction to the USA Eagles recent loss to Ireland. He and Jake don't quite agree on how to view the loss. They also talk about the youngest fan who attended that match, as well as how the USA performance affects Ethan's enthusiasm for USA v Georgia.
Wait...This is 2017?
Both brothers watched a Life v St. Mary's D1A champioship match, but it isn't clear at the start that they watched the same one. One of the brothers traveled back in time without realizing it. However, Ethan and Jake still talk about the idea of college rugby being a marketable rugby product in the US. There is also some nostalgia, some excitement ahead of the Paris 7s, and a renewed desire to become a Hurricanes fan from Ethan.