another question for you yanks. could you ever imagine an American footballer, playing English rugby without?
410070
To defend the Americans (for once) I have been a fan of American Football for some years and it is a specifically (and continuously) impact sport where the padding is absolutely necessary.  Even with it there are still significant injuries.\n\nRugby is absolutely a rough sport but if they hit like the American footballers do we would need 50 a side to be able to finish the game.\n\nOverall enjoy the sport you love, don't try to big it up by slagging off other sports\n\nPeace Out.
402104
absolutely not!  If a job so demanding as pro sports are these days, there would be no possible way I had another job, therefore there is no way I could support myself.  But, if you were to say I had endorsement deals, got free meals w/ the team, free travel and all of that other stuff, I would do it.  But for totally FREE, no chance in hell!
1098792
they have American football...which actually is adapted from rugby, play in England and most of common-wealth countries. So not to confuse with their popular game they called football..soccer.
159037
I have never understood how athletes change citizenship to compete for another country. I think they just have to train here for a year and obtain duel citizenship and they can compete. I would think that posed an ethical issue. I heard last night someone’s father was American so he was competing here. Don't know about grandparents however.
521792
Football (as the world outside of North America understands the game) is in the oLympics. American Football isn't. There are many theories as to why this is the case, but I'm sticking with the fact that nobody outside North America plays it.
755741
I have played rugby for long. I think that after a game, you are so wrecked that you just want to rest. He can try, but I doubt he can make it.
852837
Rugby in the US doesn't have the strong foundation that other sporting activities have for example like baseball, basketball and now soccer enjoy.\n\nIn the past, rugby was played in many of the the private schools which have the European influence. Elite Universities' on the east coast of the US like Yale and Harvard have strong teams.\n\nThe current USA President Bush played rugby at Yale. General Dockins who was the Heisman Trophy winner at West Point took part in the Oxford vs Cambridge Rugby Match which is played annually in  London, England in front of over 70, 00 fans.\n\nThe sport is cheap to run at the youth level with a good start as just touch rugby where the girls and boys need just running shoes, shorts and t-shirts to play. The fields,cones for marking space and balls are reasonable in cost.
1186739
Because us Americans are getting tired of it and the English don't want our throw aways.\nNow, American football is a game you could love. Try your rugby. I love rugby and would be an avid fan if I lived in England.\nCan you get me tickets?
472533
i agree with you "dogbreath".\nAll those who follow NFL think the players are awesome , but in reality , they are pussys.\nIf they didn't have all that padding they would cry when tackled.\nRugby is a very tough sport and Rugby players would walk all over the "Yankee Footballers" easily.\n\n" GO KIWI'S"  The All Blacks ROCK!!!!
11451
Well, I'll start with a personal anecdote.  First game I played in college I had my head stepped on by my own damned scrumhalf, cleats and all, and was knocked out on the field.  I have also personally seen people have their faces cut open by elbows in a ruck, usually right above the eye.  Head wounds bleed quite a bit.  Another injury I have witnessed was from one of the girl ruggers here, who had her ear nearly torn off and then stitched back on. I'm not even bothering to mention the number of broken limbs, sprains, and their ilk. Also, for some statistics on Rugby injuries in Australia, check the link in the source.  \n\nNeedless to say, Rugby is a much more violent sport than Football, and it makes it just that much more fun to play.\n\nEdit:  Forgot to mention spearing, in which during a tackle a player is lifted by his legs and smashed head first into the ground.  It is illegal, but it happens.\n\nEdit:  Well, back in the late 19th century, England alone counted 71 rugby related deaths in three seasons.  I haven't been able to find a recent count, although I know that deaths do occur.  I didn't bother mentioning broken/twisted limbs because they are so common. You know, legs broken the wrong way with the bone sticking out, that sort of thing. I also know from playing that football players can't take a hit to save their lives.  They are too comfortable with all that padding.  You take it away and they break something or have something broken within two or three games.\n\nEdit:  I'm going to keep finding stuff to convince you how awesome the game is!  Buck Shelford had his sack cut open during a game by a boot spike, which left his testicle hanging out.  Doctors stitched him back up and he played the rest of the game.  Link is in the sources.
880229
i dont think he was. i was told by a rugby fanatic freind of mine he played for cardif.\n.
1150674
You are soooo right.\nHow can they call a game 'foot' ball, when it is theoretically possible to go through an entire game without feet making contact with the ball, its absurd.\nThen again, only in America.\nSeems like alot of these answerers are 'foot'ball loving yanks.
424559
Having Englishmen and Scotsmen as blokes, I would have to say that in general they know a lot about football (soccer)... or at least a hell of a lot more than North Americans. I am Canadian and even I would rather refer to the game as football. It makes sense doesn't it?... I mean you kick the ball with your foot, yet in football (American) you throw the damb thing and rarely kick it.
1110919
Please would everyone listen to Mr. Michael, these questions got to stop. You can argue that it is a football question, but it is not an American football question. This particular question doesn't even deal with Americans
720928
Being a Welshman I'd search for any English ancestry in the hope of gaining eligibilty to play for them & fill the void left by Mr. Rooney!\n\nAlternatively I'd take a crash course in Sports Journalism, qualify & get a press pass!
686189
I would not say no straight away , you lot are putting all of England's chances on one man which is a mistake. You must consider that England have a forty year history of failure concerning the world cup and now it is in Germany 40 years after 1966 , so you'll see that this is a massive motivation and we have to perform well. This will push England and make stronger and more dangerous. Besides , have you seen the squad Sven has come up with? I think our chances are real good , even without Wayne but Wayne#s a strong kid and he might make  it back and just close your eyes and imagine what would happen if england won the world cup , (imagine that whether you like England or not) considering 1966
307405
To Watch....Football (The Real One American!) Not soccer! \n\nTo Play.....Baseball