Rugby Union, Rugby League, NFL, Australian Rules or International Rules?

[RobertE]

So, I am interested in the physical sports like football, rugby and International Rules. What do you think is the toughest sport, bearing in mind, there are many different aspects. For example, in rugby, they play 80 minutes, with only a break at half-time, whereas I believe in NFL, they play in quarters. I don't know much about it so, I need to get some information before talking about NFL. Why is it necessary for NFL players to wear such protective gear knowing full well that their European and Australasian counterparts wear next to nothing protection apart from say a head protector or a gumshield? What are the toughest tackles you have ever seen in matches, what are the biggest fights have you ever seen, or what are the greatest moments that stand out for you when you was growing up, that made you sit up and say "wow!!!"

Best fight:

---

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rufX8VJ2wVE

---

It just goes to show, Fielden messed with the wrong Marine. Furthermore, if you think McDermott looks weird, it is because he used to play Rugby League with one eye. Mind you, an hard bastard nonetheless.

Best K.O tackle:

---

---

If you plan to elbow someone when they are on the ground, expect the consequences. He thought O'Meley forgot, but like an elephant he didn't. 

Best try:

---

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mBtoUy5cHYU

---

No-one beats the Chariot. To put things into perspective, Offiah scored 444 tries (touchdowns if you are American) in 424 matches. Jerry Rice is the best player in NFL history with 208 touchdowns, and by the same token, most touchdowns are scored when received from a forward pass, which is formally interdit in all rugby codes.

[ukatheist]

I find aussie rules quite camp. Think its the tight uniform.

Sent from my ALE-L21 using Tapatalk

[RobertE]

I find aussie rules quite camp. Think its the tight uniform.

Sent from my ALE-L21 using Tapatalk

Typical Brit......  We have had very good teams in the North of England, but they are clearly no match for the Aussies or even the Kiwis.

[Faith No More]

Well, it kind of feels dirty defending the NFL now that we know it causes brain damage, but yeah, it's so tough that it causes brain damage.

You know why they started wearing helmets in American football?  Because people were getting killed on the field.  And never mind the fact that NFLers have to run around with lots of extra weight due to the pads and helmet, that same equipment allows them to hit each other much harder than otherwise.  You get back to me when rugby players start hitting each other like this(apologies for the terrible accompanying music)...

[RobertE]

Well, it kind of feels dirty defending the NFL now that we know it causes brain damage, but yeah, it's so tough that it causes brain damage.

You know why they started wearing helmets in American football?  Because people were getting killed on the field.  And never mind the fact that NFLers have to run around with lots of extra weight due to the pads and helmet, that same equipment allows them to hit each other much harder than otherwise.  You get back to me when rugby players start hitting each other like this(apologies for the terrible accompanying music)...

You could try International rules, which I would consider much more violent that rugby, and they wear less equipment. Australian rules is another where they wear nothing and there have been times where someone has actually dislocated their shoulder or ankle and somehow come back to play about 15 minutes later after the restart.

[Tiberius]

Why is it necessary for NFL players to wear such protective gear knowing full well that their European and Australasian counterparts wear next to nothing protection apart from say a head protector or a gumshield?

The real question should be, why don't the European and Australian counterparts wear proper protective gear? Many players in the NFL suffer brain damage from repeat hits to the head. Protective gear is there to try and prevent that.

Also, there's a lot of fast running in American Football, plus diving for the ball, because the ball can be thrown forward. A lot of rough tackles happen when the receiver is moving at high speed and gets thrown down by a member of the defense.

[RobertE]

Why is it necessary for NFL players to wear such protective gear knowing full well that their European and Australasian counterparts wear next to nothing protection apart from say a head protector or a gumshield?

The real question should be, why don't the European and Australian counterparts wear proper protective gear? Many players in the NFL suffer brain damage from repeat hits to the head. Protective gear is there to try and prevent that.

Also, there's a lot of fast running in American Football, plus diving for the ball, because the ball can be thrown forward. A lot of rough tackles happen when the receiver is moving at high speed and gets thrown down by a member of the defense.

They should try a scrum then. 

[Cato]

Ice hockey, as played in the NHL, is tougher than the various forms of football in my opinion.

[The Valkyrie]

The All Blacks.

'nuff said.

[Angrboda]

I don't think I've ever watched a rugby match. We don't get it on the telly. It's just not a big thing in the U.S..