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.
Why Are Things This Way?
Ethan keeps asking Jake, "Why does that thing happen?" Or, "Why doesn't this other thing I think should happen actually happen?" The framework for this week's round of Ethan's questions was Quins v Wasps and some of Jaguars v Sharks. The brothers differ about which match was the more interesting of the pair. Jake is also excited about watching two college rugby championship matches this coming weekend, and Ethan is genuinely curious about what his own reaction will be.