Are rugby players tougher than people who play football (american) in the United States.?

Answer 1

No. Anyone who says so hasn't played both. I played rugby through college and after, and there's a camraderie and spirit present in rugby that is absent in all big-time sports, football included. But, in terms of toughness, they're equal. Rugby players don't experience the high impact collisions football players do, and football players don't play without pads for 45 minute halves.

Regarding some of the other postings:
- Australia, NZ (except the mountains where they don't play rugby), and Fiji don't have freezing climates.
- Getting your balls grabbed doesn't make you tougher. I do believe I would have quit rugby if I had my balls fondled. But hey, if that's your reason for playing, more power to you.
- Anyone who tore their ACL, in football or rugby, would be carted off on a stretcher. Your ACL keeps your leg from bending double. That's important, whether you're playing football or not.
- Football players play hurt just like rugby players.
- Anyone commenting on how hard they hit in rugby has never played the game. The goal in rugby is to put your man down, not to hit him as hard as you can. It's illegal to hit without wrapping, or to leave your feet, and yardage is meaningless.

I've played with guys from South Africa and Australia who said American football was crazy and that they'd never play it. The sports are different. I chose to play rugby, but I don't need to try to take something away from football players to make me feel better.

Answer 2

I've tried rugby and I've played rugby matches for Egypt national junior team. I can tell you Rugby is completely boring and so slow once you start playing American football. Rugby has no strategy compared to rugby. You just keep going on and on while in American Football the fact you have so many ways to execute the play is fun. Not just going up and down for 40 minutes until someone scores. I could make a whole list on why football is better than rugby and my list would actually be facts from personal experience and not BS. But like most rugby players who have never came near the sport of football and just criticize it because they think their tougher because they don't have no pads. You can trust me when I say a rugby hit with no pads is way better than getting hit in the chest with shoulder pads.

Answer 3

To the guy who said that 'Rugby players don't experience the high impact collisions football players do', needs to watch a professional game of Rugby League from England or Australia. Rugby League is the toughest team sport in the World period.

Answer 4

I've played both, and in terms of sheer physical destruction, nothing compares to American/Canadian football. Look on the sidelines after any college or pro game, it looks like a combat aid station. I love rugby, and the physical demands are extreme. Conditioning and playing tired demands toughness, but there is nothing in rugby - nothing - that compares to a wide receiver (100 kilos), running full speed, being hit by a strong safety (100 kilos) going full speed in the opposite direction. What's "tougher" than that?

Answer 5

obviously from two of the answers here, lightweights can play rubgy too. they play a little in college because they like to party and think they've seen the whole game after a few years of that.

the long answer got it right. american footballers each have one small job and they do it in short spurts, then go sit down and have someone else squirt water in their mouth because they're so exausted from a few minutes of exercise. they're pampered in every possible way in college and nfl.

strong isn't the same as tough. very few of those fat nfl-ers would make it ten minutes on a rugby pitch.

and yes, many people have and do play all kinds of sports with torn acls, just not the pampered american football players.

Answer 6

Yes. Typically rugby players, who mostly come from countries like Scotland, Wales, New Zealand and Australia, are exposed early in life to the Spartan climate and ethos of these countries and their school systems. Things may have changed a bit by now, but cold showers, playing in freezing conditions without gloves or other protective gear, getting your balls grabbed in scrums, getting your face gouged by studs and then drinking six or seven pints after every game makes one tough.

So, rugby players aren't faster, bigger or richer than football players, but tougher? Hell yes.

Answer 7

Well it's a matter of opinion, but I think yes.

Look at this video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GV2sdsY-S_c&search=rugby%20hits

and try to tell me that there is any tougher sport.

Answer 8

Honestly, I think that it's pretty much even. Sure, American players have frequent breaks and wear pads and helmets, but they tend to expend their energy in short bursts (sort of like in a boxing match) and go full throttle during each play. Rugby players are not as physically strong as American football players are, but they have them when it comes to endurance.

In a sense, it's like comparing apples and oranges. Both sports (and I've played both) are very tough in their own right.

Answer 9

Why wouldn't they be tougher? Ruggers don't use the padding that American football players use. I would suggest that it enables ruggers to build a callus-like toughness because they don't rely on the shielding/padding so they build up a tolerance.

I'd love to see ruggers play Amercian footballers in a match - without gear!

Answer 10

They are different sports, to compare each would be unfair, rugby union, rugby league, American and Canadian football are all tough and demanding codes. They both have their strengths and qualities. They all have alot of things common and that should be celebrated.

Answer 11

i think they're both tough in their own ways. you're comparing two different sports. in american football, there's more bigger guys and they tackle differently than in rugby. in rugby, you don't have the pads and helmets like they do in american football. just a mouthguard.