NFL vs RUGBY..which one has the bigger balls?

[ryanman]

Here's Manu being naughty. Ashton shows a good chin though?

[ryanman]

@El Kabong where do you think Manu could fit in in NFL?

He might fall between two stools and not really fit at all.

[ryanman]

This is our next Union star. Just crossed from League. I don't think he can be stopped.

[TitoFan]

I think both take equally big balls. You gotta be ultra-tough to play both at a professional level.

But would it be accurate to say that injuries are significantly more severe in American football?
Starting with the head... American football is rife with concussions, mainly because of the use of helmets (as strange as that may sound). These serve to protect, but at the same time embolden the players to throw themselves at situations you'd normally not throw yourself into helmetless. In rugby I imagine you have your fair share of stitches, bruises, and lumps.... but probably not as many concussions.

Knees are another focal point. Again, I think the speed of the NFL probably creates more severe knee injuries than rugby. There's been cases in the NFL of complete ACL and MCL tears, requiring serious operations and huge recovery times.

[ryanman]

I think both take equally big balls. You gotta be ultra-tough to play both at a professional level.

But would it be accurate to say that injuries are significantly more severe in American football?
Starting with the head... American football is rife with concussions, mainly because of the use of helmets (as strange as that may sound). These serve to protect, but at the same time embolden the players to throw themselves at situations you'd normally not throw yourself into helmetless. In rugby I imagine you have your fair share of stitches, bruises, and lumps.... but probably not as many concussions.

Knees are another focal point. Again, I think the speed of the NFL probably creates more severe knee injuries than rugby. There's been cases in the NFL of complete ACL and MCL tears, requiring serious operations and huge recovery times.

Hey Titofan, good to see you.
Your premise is right largely I think. Except concussions are very common in Rugby. Very common. \\\head clashes are every few minutes. You are taught to tackle in a certain way but mistakes happen several times every match. I'm a rugby player but love american football. I'd guess spinal injuries are more common in AmF but it's just a guess. Watch my vids and see Manu go. I've played against him.

[TitoFan]

I think both take equally big balls. You gotta be ultra-tough to play both at a professional level.

But would it be accurate to say that injuries are significantly more severe in American football?
Starting with the head... American football is rife with concussions, mainly because of the use of helmets (as strange as that may sound). These serve to protect, but at the same time embolden the players to throw themselves at situations you'd normally not throw yourself into helmetless. In rugby I imagine you have your fair share of stitches, bruises, and lumps.... but probably not as many concussions.

Knees are another focal point. Again, I think the speed of the NFL probably creates more severe knee injuries than rugby. There's been cases in the NFL of complete ACL and MCL tears, requiring serious operations and huge recovery times.

Hey Titofan, good to see you.
Your premise is right largely I think. Except concussions are very common in Rugby. Very common. \\\head clashes are every few minutes. You are taught to tackle in a certain way but mistakes happen several times every match. I'm a rugby player but love american football. I'd guess spinal injuries are more common in AmF but it's just a guess. Watch my vids and see Manu go. I've played against him.

Good vids, ryanman. There's some vicious hitting going on there. My premise on the concussions was based on the false sense of security of having a helmet and using it as a weapon in the NFL. While the helmet might protect the actual skull from cuts and bruises... it does little to protect the brain-scrambling effect of a vicious hit. But yeah... some of those hits in the rugby vids are pretty crushing. It's no wonder concussions are plentiful there too.

On a side note, one big difference between the two sports is the noticeable absence of big, fat guys in the rugby teams. In the NFL, with its specialized roles, you have these big-bellied, 350- pound linemen. It's surprising how much athleticism and stamina they have... but they still don't look like athletes... LOL.

[Primo Carnera]

This is our next Union star. Just crossed from League. I don't think he can be stopped.

He's a great bloke, hard as nails, but what position do you think he should play?

[ryanman]

This is our next Union star. Just crossed from League. I don't think he can be stopped.

He's a great bloke, hard as nails, but what position do you think he should play?

Tough one isn't it. I would say centre and that is where he will be starting but apparently in training he is looking more comfortable in the back row. But that's a big learning curve.

[Primo Carnera]

This is our next Union star. Just crossed from League. I don't think he can be stopped.

He's a great bloke, hard as nails, but what position do you think he should play?

Tough one isn't it. I would say centre and that is where he will be starting but apparently in training he is looking more comfortable in the back row. But that's a big learning curve.

It is a big learning curve, but I think it's only worth him coming over as a 6 or 8. I personally can see the point of putting him in the centre to get him on the field, but long term , he is not a centre. People are getting carried away with comparisons with Sonny Bill, they are very different in guile, physique , toughness and skillset. The massive head on collisions in RL running at each other from 20 yards apart don't happen in Union. (Apart from picking up at the base, or if he's playing Back row and covering back for the wing and running a kick back. That's what I could imagine him doing (hopefully!)
Part of me actually wishes he hadn't come to Union, because he's such a great guy (as well as being tough!) , that I don't want to see him fail and then 2/3 years down the line go back to RL and not be the player he is now. That would be a shame for him, but could realistically happen because there isn't a position for him in Union. I have to say I really hope I'm wrong.
Sorry for taking this so far off topic guys.

[Master]

Rugby players are hard and the sport is mental far too many serious injuries.

[ryanman]

Here's Manu being naughty. Ashton shows a good chin though?

The funny thing is both of these have since played together many times for England.