The Churchill Cup at Infinity Park 2009

Denver hosts international rugby tournament

June 10, 2009

By Alex Jimenez
Special to Metromix

Once again, Colorado has become a destination of international importance.

The Churchill Cup, a world-renowned international rugby tournament, is now under way at Infinity Park,

In their first game of this year’s tournament, the U.S.A. Eagles took on the Argentina Jaguars. It was a close first half; with the Eagles even holding a hopeful 11-6 lead at one point. However, the rest of the game did not work out as well for the flying stripes.

A total of six penalties and several conversions ate away the U.S. from the inside.

The Jaguars capitalized, trouncing the Eagles for an ending score of 35-14.

No matter, really —the fans, clearly of global diversity, enjoyed every second of the heated match. As Americans, we are only on the cusp of truly appreciating the thrilling sport.

In fact, the Churchill Cup was started in 2003 as a collaboration between the English Rugby Football Union (RFU), Rugby Canada and USA Rugby in attempt to grow and develop the sport of Rugby across the U.S. and Canada.

Think of it as a game with the physical contact of football mixed with durational intensity of soccer, and rules from both. That’s Rugby.

The tournament continues at Infinity Park on Sunday, June 14, where the U.S. will take on the England Saxons while Ireland wrestles with Georgia.

The finals will be held the following Sunday, June 21, at Dick's Sporting Goods Park.