For American players seeking to get higher level game time, and a lot of it at that, there are few better places to go than New Zealand. A few, like Todd Clever and Eric Fry, have turned their stints in the country into bigger and better things. The latest player to try and emulate that success is Chance Doyle. After standing out with the Houston side at the Elite City 7s and then at the Serevi RugbyTown7s, Doyle is off to New Zealand o hone his talents. We spoke with him about the decision to leave and what he hopes to gain out of the experience.
TIAR: Where and when are you going in New Zealand? How long will you be there?
Chance Doyle: I will be traveling to Napier, New Zealand in February for the entire season which runs into August.
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TIAR: How did the opportunity come about?
CD: The opportunity came through playing in the Serevi competition and the natural networking that takes place at All-Star rugby. Ty Landry the coach of El Azul made the initial introductions to myself and the coach Doug Somerville.
TIAR: Will it be all rugby or will you be doing something else?
CD: I will also be working in the area. I have been the program director of a non-profit working with 17-25 year olds in varying positions of need the last few years and am hoping to continue to develop myself through academic of community conscious work while I am abroad. New Zealand culture on and off the pitch is something I admire and want to soak up in as many forms as I can while there.
TIAR: You've played Elite rugby in the past, do you think this opportunity will help you push your way into the Eagles picture?
CD: I am certainly hoping so. My rugby career has been an incredible journey where I have had some of the best coaching the States has to offer but the type of player I desire to be is something that I find lacking in our blossoming rugby ecosystem stateside. I was still very much so on the fence about my rugby future until I watched the USA vs All Blacks match. After that is was a simple as whether or not to talk to that beautiful woman across the room.
TIAR: What are you hoping to get out of the experience?
CD: My hope is that Rugby's hold on me grows and that the game comes more natural to me than it currently does. I have all the skills I ever wanted when I began this journey after Hurricane Katrina but I am not fluent in my play yet. In short I am hoping to get rid of my accent so to speak and I believe for me that New Zealand is the place to get the job done right. I love this game and I still lose sleep over it. Until I can finally answer the question "Is that all you got?" I won't be able to rest and I think that until I compete and grow in New Zealand I won't know if "that" was all I had.