The United States has dipped its toes into the professional rugby market and Southland's Jamie Mackintosh is one of the pioneers. LOGAN SAVORY caught up with Mackintosh to chat about the experience.

The United States Pro Rugby competition is a far cry from the bright lights of Super Rugby in New Zealand.

A few thousand people is regarded a good crowd and media coverage is almost non-existent in a country where sports like basketball, American football, and baseball are king.

Most Americans don't even know a new five-team competition has kicked off this season.

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But Jamie Mackintosh sees potential and he is thriving in trying to play his part in helping the new professional competition lift-off in the United States.

The one-test All Blacks prop and former Highlanders and Chiefs player was one of the competition's marquee signings heading into the inaugural season.

He has linked with the Ohio Aviators team, which jointly leads the competition at the moment.

"The American competition is pretty raw and brand new but there is certainly a lot of potential over here and there is a lot of excitement about it. They are already talking about expanding the competition next year and bringing in a couple of new teams," Mackintosh said.

"The quality of athletes over here is phenomenal. It is just the infrastructure in American rugby is still growing, there is such a variance of levels. You've got the high school and university programmes that are starting to become quite big and popular now and that is creating a bit of a skill base.

"But American sport seems to drop off after college and it is the same with rugby. A lot of them finish their careers after high school if they don't get into college. With football players, the good ones go to college and then only one percent of the good ones that go to college actually get drafted into the NFL.

"So you've got these guys who are 23, 24 who are super athletes with unreal skills and they are fit and their football careers are over. There is no club football, it is either professional or not. So there is a massive market for rugby to pick up some super athletes."

Mackintosh's role in the Ohio setup has extended further than propping up the scrum as the New Zealander tries to help bring the green American players up to speed.

"My first responsibility is as a player. I didn't want to come in start barking orders, we've got a group of about three or four guys who have got a good understanding of rugby that are pretty experienced, our captain Shaun Davies plays for the Eagles. It is the coaches first time coaching a professional rugby team as well, so as far as systems and structures we were well behind. But we've been able to bring them up to speed with that. We are doing the best with what we've got and for me it is awesome with my ambitions after rugby to coach," he said.

"It's just the fundamental skill sets. In New Zealand if you go to a park we are playing touch with a rugby ball and drawing and passing, just simple things we take for granted. But in America, they are either shooting a basketball or throwing a pig skin. So these guys work hard at getting up to speed but it's rugby IQ, we grow up watching rugby and understanding rugby."

"There is so much for them to learn. At this stage for me, it is about making sure that the information you give them isn't too overwhelming and that information you give them is going to make the most significant difference for the weekend.

"The growth in my team from the first day I got here and the improvement we have made in the last seven weeks has been extraordinary really. So for American rugby to grow they need to keep this competition alive."

On a personal front, Mackintosh has declared his overseas stint refreshing.

The 31-year-old had been part of the New Zealand rugby system since he was a teenager.

"It's been a crazy few months, getting to play Top 14 rugby in France for Montpellier and they are doing really well. I went from France to back home for two weeks for my brother's wedding and then straight over here [to the United States]. It's been really good."

"The thing I've learned over the last year is rugby is full of great people wherever you go. You can get stuck in your own bubble and you get outside your comfort zone and you meet some amazing people. I met some amazing people in France, I was actually living with my best mate Tom Donnelly. Even coming here [to the United States] they are a great bunch of guys, I'm really enjoying my time here. I'm just lucky to be paid to play rugby, travel the world and meet some great people."

Mackintosh is undecided just what is next for him and he is likely to make a decision in the coming weeks.

He could return to play for the Stags in New Zealand's provincial competition before heading back next year to play in the States.

The other option would be to take up a contract in Europe.

"I'm just working through a few options now. The French market is still open and so is the English market. There is a lot of wheels in motion and there is a lot of things that have got to line up if I want to come back here next year. I've just got to weigh up a few things and make the best decision for me at the moment."

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