For an outsider, America is endlessly fascinating. A place of breathtaking landscapes, a land of contrasts and colossal in scale; it is seemingly boundless potential and uniquely inspiring. Its people absorbed the world around them and shaped a culture that is defined by optimism, hope and uninhibited ambition.

In America the impossible is made possible by an unrelenting desire to succeed, by the sense that anyone can achieve anything with the right attitude.

The young country’s sense of identity is built around opportunity – provide someone with a chance and they will take it.

It is a place that has come to influence the rest of the world around it, particularly in sport where heroes such as Michael Jordan, Babe Ruth, Vince Lombardi, Muhammed Ali and Billie Jean King have done so much to engender sport’s professionalism and spirit in the modern era.

Yet a romantic, even possibly naive facade of glory has been eroded with a number of scandals that have rocked US sport in recent times, particularly those of Lance Armstrong, ‘Deflategate’, and the doping allegations that have dogged baseball. The desire to succeed has spilled over into corruption, controversy and cheating. Pride turned to cynicism and this brought with it an air of inevitability.

In many ways, the fate of the USA’s PRO Rugby has embodied the very best and the very worst of America. A hyperbolic enthusiasm greeted the competition when it was announced. Could this finally be the breakthrough for rugby in the US?

With its arrival came that the child-like sense of wonder and a romanticism. Here was Doug Schnoniger, an outsider with no real knowledge of the game, a man willing to pump thousands and thousands of his own dollars into an idea – with the hope of it revolutionising the sporting paradigm in the US. It was pioneering, daring and exciting.

But a year later and it seems almost certain that the tournament will not enter into a second year. Contracts have not been renewed, allegations surfaced of unpaid salaries, promises were broken.

For some this was deeply tragic. What had seemed like light at the end of a particularly dark and winding tunnel was nothing but an illusion. For others it was always going to happen; another pipe dream in a place seemingly impossible to conquer.

However, those most affected by the fallout are the players – those stuck in the middle between legal wranglings, disputes and disagreements. Bitter words between PRO Rugby organisers and governing body USA Rugby were nothing in comparison to the tangible damage the situation did to the players.

Brendan Rams, who was on Denver Stampede’s roster for the competition’s inaugural season, was passionate about PRO Rugby and its potential when this writer spoke to him back in April 2016, but recent events have once more radically altered his life. Here he speaks exclusively to Pundit Arena once more about rugby life in the US.

Rams moved from Texas for his professional contract with the Stampede, but now finds himself back in Austin, the state’s capital, with local team the Huns.

“Austin Huns Rugby Football club is where I initially started playing when I first landed in the US in 2014, after playing Currie Cup and Vodacom Cup back at home [in South Africa]. We have a phenomenal coaching and management staff here.”

Indeed, former Denver Stampede captain Pedrie Wannenburg – a Springbok and an Ulster legend – now finds himself on the coaching team at the club.

The radical rise and apparent fall of PRO Rugby has certainly not been easy on Rams. The uncertainty that surrounded the tournament after it appeared that contracts would not be renewed was tough for the player:

“It’s depressing and a sore point for any athlete not knowing whether or not you’ll be contracted for the coming season. Being 27 years old now I’ve been playing this game for well over 13 years injury free consistently and now for the first time in my career dealing with 2 big injuries. My abilities as an all rounded athlete have never been in question and I back myself.”

Despite the current situation and the lack of contact directly from PRO Rugby to its players – Rams says that players only know what is put on social media and nothing more – he remains vibrantly optimistic about the future of rugby in his adopted country.

“We all know that a failed attempt at something doesn’t necessarily mean you’re out for the count. The Wright brothers were willing to fail multiple times before they took flight because they believed strongly in their product and we still see that concept through all great businesses and athletes lives. No different with a sustainable business model for professional rugby in the the United States, it will come. We live in a day where people want instant gratification and have little patience for great ideas to come into fruition.”

In many ways, Rams is very American in his personality: someone who is so driven and so determined, but simultaneously hopeful and positive. He sees a new horizon for American rugby in the form of Major League Rugby, a proposed tournament involving existing US clubs rather than artificial ‘franchises’ as was the case with PRO Rugby.

“After leaving Denver I had an opportunity to play back at home in South Africa, however there’s been talks of a Major League Rugby which should kick off next year, comprised of existing clubs that have been part of USA Rugby since the beginning. So we are excited and waiting for this. “The announcement of the new league starting in 2018 gives me hope of expressing myself between the four lines in a controlled, competitive and professional environment again, which will allow me to compete for international honours.”

Nor does Rams allow any sense of cynicism to affect him. Whilst PRO Rugby might have failed, he sees a phoenix rising from its ashes.

“We can’t completely slam Doug [Schoninger] for PRO Rugby because the positives outweigh the negatives. Doug at least he had the “Kahones” to put his money up and get it off the ground, when nobody did. He gave some people confidence to be willing to do the same and now everyone else can look at that blueprint and make adjustments where he came short for a smoother and better league. “The main thing is professionalism, respect and vision for the game amongst all clubs and USA Rugby. Pride and egos need to be put aside and everyone needs to be working together for a greater purpose; in the end everyone will be a winner on the business side of things. Exciting style of play, more fans, full stadiums, broadcasting, sponsorships, better officiating and so on.”

One more day until @ProRugbyUSA inaugural champions are crowned! @DenverStampede have been working hard all week pic.twitter.com/sIw8HRz1fq — Denver Stampede (@DenverStampede) July 30, 2016

Finally, Rams take away nothing but joyous memories from his time with the Denver franchise.

“We are still brothers till this day, even though we play against each other now. We developed a great and professional atmosphere and we still keep in contact. When I got injured I took pride in making sure that I was the best water boy for the lads, cleaned after them and motivated them to be the best versions of themselves they could be. The boys will forever be Champions of the first and only PRO Rugby tournament, so no team will ever beat that. We are just waiting for the Championship rings!”

America’s greatest achievements have happened because of the men and women with the vision to make them happen. Whilst it seems like rugby cannot thrive in sporting landscape as complicated and challenging as the USA, there are people out there trying to make it happen.

Brendan Rams believes it will and he is not alone. The fall of PRO Rugby is not the end of the line but simply a bump in the road. The American rugby dream lives on.

Paul Wassell, Pundit Arena

Catch live rugby and replays of The Austin Huns and Glendale Raptors and help make the dream a reality.

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Read More About: america, austin, austin huns, Babe Ruth, billie jean king, brendan rams, Denver, doug schoninger, michael jordan, muhammed ali, pro rugby, texas, usa, usa rugby, Vince Lombardi