markonline1

Unlike the Texan though, mine was said tongue in cheek. But thanks anyway.

I don't actually think it does. Soccer is no longer a minority sport over here. You've only got to look at the EPL coverage to see that. I've heard on more than one occasion that rugby is the fastest growing sport in the US, which is great, but I can't see it ever breaking into the top ranks of sport over here, like I believe soccer now has done.

I don't think they would. NFL and rugby may look similar to the casual observer, but in reality, the skill sets in both games are totally different.

Pulaski

You have an interesting definition of what constitutes the "top ranks".

Apart from the fact that they do not require "totally different" skill sets, .... both require running, tackling, ball carrying, throwing, and catching skills, I was referring to the general athletic ability, and size, of college football players.

To set out my thoughts more explicitly, college athletes are fast, strong, and possess all the skills necessary to play rugby, they just need to learn the rules and tactics. Agreed, those are not small things, but I believe that college athletes properly trained could take on the best international rugby teams and have a reasonable shot at beating them.

markonline1

NFL athletes run for short bursts. I'd love to see a 300lb lineman play a half of rugby, let alone a full 80 minutes. If a player performed a tackle like your average NFL player on a rugby field, they'd be sent off within minutes. Generally the QB throws the ball in a game. I've never seen a ball thrown in a game of rugby the way a qb throws a ball, hardly surprising as a rugby ball is bigger. Netball players have good throwing and catching skills. I can't see too many of them making good rugby players.

Pulaski

You have picked a grab-bag of differences. You also responded with respect to "NFL" players, whereas I was very specific in referring to college level players, who are often leaner and more athletic than their NFL counterparts. I would also agree that there aren't 1:1 matches of the skills, physiques, and players between rugby and gridiron football, such that a heavy linebacker might not find a place in a rugby team, but given that US colleges can turn out world-class athletes in numerous Olympic disciplines, and despite your doubts, I am certain that US college athletes could be marshalled into a formidable rugby team if they were minded to do so. And to be honest, I do doubt they will ever be minded to so.

Sally Redux

Soccer is popular in the US.

Gawd knows what the rest of the is.

Michael

FIFY

tonrob

The USA are improving, slowly. I went to watch Wales beat them 77-3 in Hartford, CT back in 2005.

BBC SPORT | Rugby Union | Welsh | USA 3-77 Wales

Hiro11

You'd think with the population of this country and the conveyor belt of world class strength and speed that is the NCAA, the US would be able to cross train a few athletes to play rugby. Track athletes, basketball players, football players, etc... surely they can find someone. Rugby is such a fantastic sport and ideally suited to the tastes of this country. It's the sport I most want to see take off in the US. I did read the the Eagles has exactly 5 practices together prior to the AB match, I hope they'll play a lot better in the world cup. They're ranked 18 in the world, which is probably about right.

Also, it should be noted that I actually agree with most of you on football. I'm not a fan and I also prefer rugby as entertainment. However, it's taking it a bit too far when some of you start dissing the athletic talent or brainpower required to play in the NFL. Of course 300 pound linemen wouldn't succeed in rugby, neither would an East African marathoner, a Belgian cyclist or an Olympic diver. What's your point? On the other hand, name me a 300+ pound rugby player who is an Olympic-quality powerlifter that can also run a 4.7 40 like an NFL-quality linemen. Also, note that left tackles are the second highest paid players on the field after the QB. Do you honestly think linemen are paid millions of dollars a year because it's an easy job to get? An NFL-quality lineman is a physical freak of nature. Also, the job requires intimate knowledge of field positioning, defensive setup and the offensive play being called. Watch a closeup of a play being executed, they're not just standing there and pushing. You can't be dumb and succeed in the NFL.

Lastly, there are plenty of other players on the field. I think safeties, linebackers, receivers, tight ends and running backs would all be well suited to rugby if they trained for endurance...

rpjs

And that was "Despite the loss of 10 players on Lions duty"

Mind you, I was living in Cardiff back during the '99 RWC when Wales lost to Western Samoa (as it then was). I remember people saying it was a a good job they weren't playing *all* Samoa...

sir_eccles

Sevens is making inroads at the college level. Lots of the kids who aspire to the NFL but not making the cut to their college team are giving it a go. Unfortunately, until the NCAA picks it up it will lack funding. Title IX probably causing problems too.

dunroving

Played against a lot of US touring teams when I lived in the Bahamas. We would invariably beat them (score), but they would invariably beat the cr*p out of us (injuries).

markonline1

I'd actually ask you the same question after that ramble. Are you reading a different thread

Pulaski

He was responding to your ill thought out criticism of the skills of gridiron football players.

markonline1

Sorry mate, where did I criticize the skills of gridiron players. As a fan of both sports, I find it pretty ridiculous how just because the balls are the same bloody shape, people who clearly know nothing about either sport think they are virtually the same!!!

Sally Redux

Sore losers