American football vs. Rugby - who would win?

Question

if an American football team and a Rubgy team played each other at their respective sports, observing all the rules for each sport, who would win and why?



(notes, American football team couldn't wear pads playing rugby and the rugby team would have to wear pads when playing American football etc.)

Answer 1

This has already been done I believe. The result was that they both won in their respective sports. However, it was a closer match in American football than it was in rugby.

I think the game of rugby requires much more fitness these days than American football which is more bursts of big energy followed by lots of commercial breaks.

In the old days of rugby, you would get the really big fat guys in the scrum. These days, everyone is much fitter and more mobile, and it is a 15 man game rather than a forwards and backs game. In other words all players can manage to fit into either the backs or the forwards interchangeably, and so there is less of a physical difference between players in a rugby team.

American football has some really big and ugly players who can only play in specific positions, and are really no use elsewhere.

Think of the NZ player Jonah Lomu. He played as a winger in the backs, but could equally well have played anywhere else on the rugby pitch. He would also fit anywhere in an American Football team.

Answer 2

Easy,

They would both win there own games without a shadow of a Doubt. This even happens when Rugby Union Teaoms play agains Rugby League Teams

Answer 3

the rugby players , the American footballers probably do not know the rules of rugby or how to play the game at a professional level. It a bit like asking the world champions at subbitteo to take on Italy at football

Answer 4

I have a vague recollection of Wigan rugby league club taking on some American football team at each others sports. This was a few years ago and as i remember it they both won their respective codes but the scoreline favoured Wigan overall.
As far as i know there has never been any meetings of rugby union sides and American football sides.

Answer 5

Rugby no problem, American football is just big fat lardy men who run a few yards, Rugby players are the real article. Remember in the World Cup Final against England, that Aussie guy had 10 stitches in his lip early on and had to go off another 3 times to have it re-stitched. Plus no helmets & no body armour and lots more running.

Answer 6

My guess is each team would win their respective sports. If however, you had Rugby players and American Football players competing in some neutral athletic competition, I think Rugby players are more agile and in better condition than most footballers.

Answer 7

nfl football score nfl 35 rugby 17

Answer 8

They would win each others own games comprehensivley. Although the rugby team might make it a bit closer with filedgoals, because thier kickers can give that ball a fair whack

Answer 9

the average American football player excluding offensive linemen are better atheltes than the average rugby player. England rugby player Martin Johnson said that himself. Also englands hero johnny wilkinsons sporting hero was an american football player walter payton. No rugger has equal speed to nfl player like michael vick.

Answer 10

When/If I ever meet a rugby player who is 6'5" (1.9 meters), weighs 260 lbs (117.9 kilos) and covers 40 yards (36.6 meters) in 4.3 seconds, I'll begin to think about giving the nod the rugby players. Unitl then, the USA footballers will absolutely crush the rugby players. We're bigger, faster, stronger, and have MUCH better athletes.