What sport is more physical? rugby or american football

28 Comments

So I was having this debate with my uneducated American friend.

I say rugby is more physical, my main arguments being the only protection you have is a gum-shield, and it's 80 (40/40) minutes of non stop running about and getting smashed up. Fights will also break out most games

However I will admit that rugby is more controlled, meaning it is not legal to perform tackles with the shoulder, or above shoulder height, which it is in American Football

Do not be biased towards your country. I have opted for my home sport but I do agree that there are a few aspects where American football can be slightly more physical, but on the whole I say rugby.

Rugby 38
American football 22
Not sure 10
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Comments ( 28 )
  • disthing
    9 years ago

    They both involve running around with a ball and smashing into each other at high velocity for a prolonged length of time.

    They're both 'physical'. Rugby players and American footballers have to be incredibly fit and strong to do well.

    The whole rugby vs. American football debate is tedious, and it's usually us Brits arrogantly declaring rugby is better and that American football is its wimpy cousin, for no reason other than to feel superior.

    Who cares? Why does it matter?

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    • anti-hero
      9 years ago

      ^This.

      They are equal. AF you have helmets and pads, leading people to hit harder. Rugby has no pads, softer hits, but with no pads.

      Equal.

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      • anti-hero
        9 years ago

        Furthermore, rugby seems more like basketball, soccer and hockey. Take it as it comes. Football is more planned out.

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    • shuggy-chan
      9 years ago

      I agree, that like saying whats more boring to watch, Baseball or golf.

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      • disthing
        9 years ago

        I would always say baseball, because Tiger Woods is terrifyingly rich and could have me put down :<

        Which is more interesting to look at, blackcurrant juice or orange juice?

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        • shuggy-chan
          9 years ago

          OJ all day

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          • disthing
            9 years ago

            With pulp or without?

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            • shuggy-chan
              9 years ago

              Pulp fiction

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    • Anonymous Post Author
      9 years ago

      Just a simple debate, just because you personally don't care, doesn't mean it doesn't matter

      wanker

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      • disthing
        9 years ago

        Just because you personally care, doesn't mean it matters

        Cunt.

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        • Anonymous Post Author
          9 years ago

          It's just a debate you fucking troglodyte. If you don't care don't comment

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          • disthing
            9 years ago

            Troglodyte, I love that word. My cave paintings are exquisite and I'm a talented mammoth slayer, come at me bruh. Wiiiilmaaaaaaaa!

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  • westoptic
    9 years ago

    Hate football, Rugby all the way. I'm a girl and I've played both competitively and Rugby is far more physically demanding, football pisses me off because of the amount of whistles and time outs and all that bullshit. Rugby, you come as you are, pop in a mouth guard and fuck shit up. In football, you dress up like a fucking goon just to make one hit on a person and have a whistle. Rugby is just bang bang bang one hit after another.

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  • lfa00
    9 years ago

    I suppose you could argue that wearing a lot of protection allows you to be more physical without fear of the mangled face most rugby players sport.

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  • BlueJeansWhiteShirt
    9 years ago

    Rugby. Cos us English don't need a whole suit of fucking armour to play sport. Go hard or go home mate.

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    • shuggy-chan
      9 years ago

      'ello missy

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      • BlueJeansWhiteShirt
        9 years ago

        ELLO. I MISS YOU MOST <3

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        • shuggy-chan
          9 years ago

          awww, we i was just suprised and happy to see you passing on thru IIN again, even if it only for a bit here and bit there

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  • hannah23
    9 years ago

    American Football is explosive in short bursts but Rugby is more a war of attrition , league or union , give me rugby everytime xx

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  • KingRabbit
    9 years ago

    Y'all don't know what-cher talkin' about

    http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/sportSkills

    boxing ranks 1
    ice hockey ranks 2
    american football ranks 3

    tennis ranks 7

    rugby ranks 13

    bullfighting ranks 15

    Yee-haw!

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  • dickwashington
    9 years ago

    im american and i absolutely hate american football its so boring although i have never seen a game of rugby before i dont know much about it but looks pretty awrsome

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  • cupcake_wants
    9 years ago

    I choose Rugby because Brits that play it are so sexy that i wanna get physical with them

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  • [Old Memory]
    9 years ago

    Rugby all the way. It's the only sport I can watch.

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