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

[imp]

I played a bit of rugby in my school days but I find NFL a tad cooler

These are both physical games but very similar but surely rugby is alot more hardcore than the NFL? (No protection)

England seem to have football as their main sport (rugby 2nd?) and the americans seem to worship the NFL (basketball 2nd?)

Apart from maybe not understanding it what makes NFL so attractive to the americans and rugby so loved by the english and could each country (or why) did they never adopt each others sport.?

Imp

[El Kabong]

All the "protection" in the NFL does is allow for/cause players to hit harder. Think of it like bareknuckle boxing vs boxing with gloves...both are brutal, but that little addition of protection will have you punching harder because you are thinking "Well I won't break my hands now, I feel like I can punch through a brick wall"....well that's the feeling football pads and a helmet give you.

I respect competitors of both sports they are very tough

[ryanman]

This again.

Here we go....

[ryanman]

As Lyle says respect is due to both.
The pads don't necessarily make it easier/softer.

I would say Rugby players have more cuts, blood spilt, concussions. But NFL players probably have more 'major' injuries like neck damage (although there are numerous incidents of broken necks and spines in Rugby).

[Memphis]

Rugby, it isnt even close. The evidence is overwhelming.

[Beanflicker]

Both a tough, brutal sports.

I guess if you want to generalize, you can go with rugby (no padding, less money, constant GO GO GO as opposed to stopping after plays).

Neither sport is for pussies.

[X]

Lyle makes a good point.

Let's move away from the superficial similarities, these are two very different sports with very different rules and tactics. Both are tough sports.

However, if you want to look at the very best then, with all due respect, you shouldn't be looking at England. You should be looking at New Zealand and South Africa. Many of the best NFL players have Polynesian or Maori heritage too.

Regarding the protection, I suspect that Lyles point holds true and it gives people more misplaced confidence ...... The problem with that is many NFL players can't actually tackle properly, as they never really had to learn it.

I would suggest that taking a proper, lined-up hit from a rugby player would be more devastating because much more body weight and technique is applied. Having protection probably favours the tackler, especially if they just launch themselves at people ..... More rugby injuries are caused to the tackler, when they get it wrong, rather than to the person being tackled.

Of course, most rugby injuries happen in the scrum, which doesn't take place in such a dangerous way in NFL.

I'm not disrespecting NFL at all, and would be the first to admit I know much more about rugby than American Football..

[ryanman]

Lyle makes a good point.

Let's move away from the superficial similarities, these are two very different sports with very different rules and tactics. Both are tough sports.

However, if you want to look at the very best then, with all due respect, you shouldn't be looking at England. You should be looking at New Zealand and South Africa. Many of the best NFL players have Polynesian or Maori heritage too.

Regarding the protection, I suspect that Lyles point holds true and it gives people more misplaced confidence ...... The problem with that is many NFL players can't actually tackle properly, as they never really had to learn it.

I would suggest that taking a proper, lined-up hit from a rugby player would be more devastating because much more body weight and technique is applied. Having protection probably favours the tackler, especially if they just launch themselves at people ..... More rugby injuries are caused to the tackler, when they get it wrong, rather than to the person being tackled.

Of course, most rugby injuries happen in the scrum, which doesn't take place in such a dangerous way in NFL.

I'm not disrespecting NFL at all, and would be the first to admit I know much more about rugby than American Football..

With all due respect Mr X I don't think the difference between England and South Africa and New Zealand (or Wales) are such that you shouldn't look at England when discussing the physical aspects of the sport.
That's just a dig!

[Dia bando]

NFL and Rugby both are very tough games, you got to be a tough SOB to play it, Rugby League
is a bit similar to NFL , were Rugby Union is not.

[ryanman]

Tribute to my boy Manu. Played with this guy. Monstrous.

[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.