American Football vs. Rugby

[pj_martins]

I currently live in the USA and a lot of people say that rugby must be the most dangerous sport out there. In my opinion every sport is as dangerous as you make it. If you compare the number of injuries in Football to that of rugby then they come out to about the same despite all the "armor" they wear in football. Most of these injuries because of dangerous tackles which in fact is not tolerated in rugby but yet is in football.

Let's look at some other aspects, I love rugby because it's a non-stop game filled with action. Football on the other hand is play and stop, and play and stop. It gets quite tedious if you're used to the game of rugby. On the other hand though football is a bit more strategic than rugby, but I'd much rather prefer action over strategy. It's not like we're playing chess here.

Another interesting thing, football has a defensive team and an offensive team, each one switching out when the ball switches to the other team. A good player should have both these abilities, be able to run and fight off tackles just as much as tackling the opposing team.

Finally, football is mostly played in america as a national sport. Of course I'm sure other countries invest a lot in football, but look at rugby on the other hand, you have teams from all over the globe from different cultures competing for the web ellis cup. Ever heard of the football world cup? I certainly haven't.

It sure would be interesting to see america round up its top football players and put them up against some of the top rugby players for a game of rugby, and football too for that matter. Who do you think would win either game?

* just a side note, has anyone noticed the USA rugby team is primarily made up of players from other countries?

 

[SaintsFan_Webby]

Let's look at some other aspects, I love rugby because it's a non-stop game filled with action. Football on the other hand is play and stop, and play and stop. It gets quite tedious if you're used to the game of rugby. On the other hand though football is a bit more strategic than rugby
[/b]

I'd love you to try and take that argument with any top level rugby coach or player. I'm pretty sure they'd tell you there's far more to strategy than simply having a big play-book.



I respect American Football for what it is, but compared to rugby there is no contest in my mind.

 

[pj_martins]

Oh don't get me wrong, I totally agree there's a lot of strategy involved, but you don't perform a play and then stop for 2 minutes to plan out your next move, it's all tippy toes and quick thinking.

 

[Brodizzle]

It's Gridiron not football, there is already a football world cup....

 

[DC]

<div class='quotemain'>
Let's look at some other aspects, I love rugby because it's a non-stop game filled with action. Football on the other hand is play and stop, and play and stop. It gets quite tedious if you're used to the game of rugby. On the other hand though football is a bit more strategic than rugby
[/b]

I'd love you to try and take that argument with any top level rugby coach or player. I'm pretty sure they'd tell you there's far more to strategy than simply having a big play-book.



I respect American Football for what it is, but compared to rugby there is no contest in my mind.

[/b][/quote]

In all honesty having watched both extensively i'd say American Football is more strategic. American Football is literally chess on the field for the coach of the team, using different packages on both offense, defense, and special teams, theres tons of different packages with players covering different areas on each play in each particular package.

Don't get me wrong rugby also has a huge amount of strategy involved but not quite near the level of American Football. Rugby is more geared towards you have your tactics for what you are going to do in the game, and its up to the player not the coach to figure out how to win the match. Thats the key difference between the two games.

 

[Brodizzle]

How many years until robots play Gridiron?

 

[candybum]

what stinks about gridiron or American football is that you play in specialist positions which has specific tasks if im not mistaken like if i were a blocker, I'd most probably never ever touch the ball in the game? if i were a punter, I'd jump on kick the ball then sit and have a beer and wait until the 4th down or whatever?? of course im excluding those circumstances if there were a fumble, intercept etc.

so i guess i'm saying you'd have to have more skills in rugby than gridiron, am i wrong?

 

[Steve-o]

I agree candybum, rugby has become even more difficult with players having to do more than in the past. Backs contending in the ruck is an example of this. It's not rare to see wingers having a good boot nowdays. I've only watched 2 NFL games, more for curiousity than entertainment, and I won't ever watch another again. Mostly because when I last watch the receivers had a 'new' tactic of catching the ball and running out, to prevent a fumble. No big tackles and definitely no 40-odd yard runs. The movies are cool though!

 

[Prestwick]

Would I get lynched if I said that I liked both sports?

Not that I do of course, I am noted in my violent hatred of both Gridiron AND Rugby...

...


*runs away*

 

[Bullitt]

I've only watched 2 NFL games, more for curiousity than entertainment, and I won't ever watch another again.[/b]

Similar story... I watched the Superboal (I think it was this year) purely on how much hype people on this board were giving it. Within the first 20 seconds somebody made a superb 90m run to score a touchdown.

"Oooh, this is pretty good!" I thought to myself. Then it got very dull, very fast. I won't watch it again either.

The video games are mildly entertaining however.

 

[DC]

what stinks about gridiron or American football is that you play in specialist positions which has specific tasks if im not mistaken like if i were a blocker, I'd most probably never ever touch the ball in the game? if i were a punter, I'd jump on kick the ball then sit and have a beer and wait until the 4th down or whatever?? of course im excluding those circumstances if there were a fumble, intercept etc.

so i guess i'm saying you'd have to have more skills in rugby than gridiron, am i wrong? [/b]

You are right, rugby does require more skill.

 

[innes]

Yeah, rugby has so many more aspects of the game where you actually need to use your mind!

Moderator Prestwick says:

 

[O'Rothlain]

I've played both. Having grown up on our American version of football, I used to be a passionate enthusiast. But, then I found Rugby. I played football at the university level. It was my dream, but it became less and less my dream as each position on the field was relegated. I went from being a "lineman" who played on offense and defense to just a defensive lineman by high school (no complaints, I love the D- line, and am not fond of the O-line). Then by college the playing time decreased as there were first and second down linemen and third and fourth down linemen. What's the point of a game where players don't compete? It literally is chess, or like those fantasy card games, where players are only pulled out at certain times for their "unique ability."
Rugby is raw sport. Two teams of 15, winners walk off the pitch victorious, loosers sulk off to the sidelines.
There is strategy to Rugby, look at this last world cup final (snooze-fest).
Rugby is superior if you are comparing the two. I've lost my taste for the sport I once loved. I now embrace Rugby as the sport I was born to play, love and live. Long Live Rugby!

 

[fcukernaut]

I've played both. Having grown up on our American version of football, I used to be a passionate enthusiast. But, then I found Rugby. I played football at the university level. It was my dream, but it became less and less my dream as each position on the field was relegated. I went from being a "lineman" who played on offense and defense to just a defensive lineman by high school (no complaints, I love the D- line, and am not fond of the O-line). Then by college the playing time decreased as there were first and second down linemen and third and fourth down linemen. What's the point of a game where players don't compete? It literally is chess, or like those fantasy card games, where players are only pulled out at certain times for their "unique ability."
Rugby is raw sport. Two teams of 15, winners walk off the pitch victorious, loosers sulk off to the sidelines.
There is strategy to Rugby, look at this last world cup final (snooze-fest).
Rugby is superior if you are comparing the two. I've lost my taste for the sport I once loved. I now embrace Rugby as the sport I was born to play, love and live. Long Live Rugby!
[/b]

The RWC has ruined the football season for me. It's too slow and too boring, I just could not go from rugby to watching football. Basketball is the only game that can keep up the pace and keep me entertained now. I would like to say though, that the Quarterback position is the most demanding mentally and physically in any sport on the planet.

 

[Dikon]

Rugby wins hands down.Football is too slow for my liking.

 

[O'Rothlain]

I would like to say though, that the Quarterback position is the most demanding mentally and physically in any sport on the planet.

[/b]

No. You know not of what you speak. They are women.

 

[king_nothing6]

as a spectator i'd prefer to watch rugby. its more fast passed and easier to watch

 

[candybum]

<div class='quotemain'> what stinks about gridiron or American football is that you play in specialist positions which has specific tasks if im not mistaken like if i were a blocker, I'd most probably never ever touch the ball in the game? if i were a punter, I'd jump on kick the ball then sit and have a beer and wait until the 4th down or whatever?? of course im excluding those circumstances if there were a fumble, intercept etc.

so i guess i'm saying you'd have to have more skills in rugby than gridiron, am i wrong? [/b]

You are right, rugby does require more skill.
[/b][/quote]

yup you have to be multi skilled

 

[pj_martins]

That's 17-0 in favor of rugby

 

[Prestwick]

Interestingly, the American (or North American) contingent here prefer Rugby to American Football.