Besides rugby league, American football is arguably the closest sport to rugby union in terms of gameplay and physicality – a pathway that many players from either side of the pond have explored in the past.
Big-name rugby stars at one stage or another, such as Louis Rees-Zammit, Henry Mallinder and Christian Wade, have all made the move stateside to pursue opportunities in the American National Football League in the past. Various American football players, particularly those who weren’t able to make it to the big time in American football, have also looked for avenues down the rugby route.
While there are many similarities between the two games, many key differences come into play. Besides the noticeable increase of padding surrounding American football players, people new to the game may notice that tackles tend to be a lot higher on the body than in rugby, and when players run with the ball, their teammates actively block their opponents in an effort to reach the ‘End-Zone’.
Many will point out that the key difference between the two sports, however, is the direction in which the ball can be passed. In rugby, it’s well known that although the players can kick the ball forward, they can only pass sideways or backward. Despite being unable to launch the ball forward to a player in space, many believe that rugby still remains well ahead of American football in terms of the pace of the game.
In footage recently shared by the American rugby union side Seattle SeaWolves, it appears the NFL may be taking yet another play from the world of rugby. During a match against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium in August, the San Fransisco 49ers showcased the potential that the rugby skillset had in football.
As the match neared the death, the 49ers worked their way around the Raider’s defence, using the lateral pass beyond the gainline and displaying offloading skills that even the greatest Pacific Island players would be proud of. Tackled at the three, the match would eventually end 24 points all.
Rugby fans: Thoughts on those offloads?
Credit: Seattle Seawolves pic.twitter.com/Xf5gFwLWT7
ADVERTISEMENT— Jack Tunney (@JackTunneyRugby) October 10, 2024
It’s been argued that some of the passing and catching abilities on display left a lot to be desired, however, with several fans suggesting that their basic skills need to be improved before the lateral pass becomes used more in the game.
One person commented: “Not one of them could catch a cold”, whilst another added: “The lack of hand eye co-ordination is shocking”
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NFL fans out there, would you like to see more lateral passes in your game, or should you leave that to rugby players? Let us know!
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