"like switching from Call of Duty to Halo" is an elite comparison 🤣

I mean, this is top notch sports journalism.

Practice squad for 2 years, then dropped. Will move to France and play 3-5 more years. Thank you Wales, it’s been real 😂😂😂

Playing rugby in the US, when new players showed up, the best ones never came from an America Football background; basketball players had the ball skills, baseball players had better positional awareness, hockey players were able to keep moving after a hit, and wrestlers didn’t need to be taught proper tackling or rucking techniques. There are massive differences between the sports, and the shape of the ball and goalposts are pretty superficial by comparison.

I have started American Football club (and federation) in Serbia, after playing Rugby for 6 years. Your commentary that they are very different sports is spot-on. I like to compare them like group tennis and volleyball. They look the similar, but they are hardly comparable. Today I play rugby in Portugal and plan to start American football club in my town. Both sports are very fun to play. Big love for this video!

video so good had to post twice

Respect that LRZ is following a dream, but the probability of of making a success (= getting in a playing squad) of the attempt is realistically very, very low. I hope he understands that, and even more hope that he beats the odds and does succeed. I do feel sad for the game of rugby and for Wales (even as an England supporter) but that is no reason for anyone to point the finger and accuse him of abandoning either, he's his own man and is 100% entitled to do as he chooses.

Your analysis about the key differences are spot on. As a huge NFL fan for 40 years, the game has only superficial similarities to rugby. The games are so different at their core. As you identify, the NFL involves short bursts of action, which are set plays called from the sideline (generally) and require players to follow a set sequence which has been drilled in over years. Rugby is a much more fluid and open game. If you haven't spend high school and college being drilled in certain plays, it would be almost impossible for a pro from another sport to come in and just understand a WR route tree, for instance. The best route is via kicker or punter.

Arguably one of the greatest South African rugby players ever, a true legend, Naas Botha, also tried his hand at NFL. He didn’t last a year.

Video essays are by far my favourite type of video that you do. The best uploads on your channel are still ye olde La Rochelle, Leinster, Ospreys & which French team are going to turn up videos

As an aside, the most successful cross sport transfers to the NFL are (and it isn't even close) from Aussie Rules Football. They are all punters of course

Haha knew you'd relish the opportunity to savage Jarryd Hayne. Richly deserved. From the Aussie perspective the one omission here is the actually very successful pipeline from massive boot afl player to NFL punter. That's been so successful that it's legitimately transformed punting tactics in the NFL

Having barely got two minutes into the video: I've always felt the switch between the two is probably really difficult. Rugby is more strategic, with an emphasis on long-term plans and American football more tactical, with an emphasis on short-term play-by-play plans. Rugby is normally free flowing and moves integrated into already flowing play while American football has carefully pre-planned plays with time to call plays before executing it. (Although they both, I think, reward precision of execution similarly.) I do think the levels of athleticism is higher in American football, largely down to more money and a bigger, more centralised player base rather than any fundamental difference in the sports. I also reckon American football rewards sprint-performance over endurance while rugby goes the other way. As for the hits: American football does encourage bigger hits with less regulation on them and the armour really encouraging tacklers to go in more aggressively. That said, an American football match does have far fewer hits (in numbers) than rugby, where lots of tackles are made. In American football hustling players out of bounds or pushing them over is hugely more common, to offset the big hit numbers. I don't like "my sport is better than yours" dialogue (except in the context good natured and friendly piss-taking) but the differences between the two codes are - in practical terms and athletic demands - are very different. I will be curious to see how LRZ does. I think he'll have a good idea of what he's letting himself in for, though.

I know its League instead of Rugby but there is a reason why Jordan Mailata is thus far the only guy from either code to make the switch to the NFL (Nate Ebner was "only" a special teams gunner. A very good special teams gunner, but still "just" a gunner. This video kinda makes it seem like he was an integral part of their squad.): You can't teach 6'8"/2.03m tall, 360lbs/166kgs. He's massive even by NFL standards. He also spent 3 years on the practice squad due to various injuries. This allowed him to focus almost entirely on developing his skillset by learning from some of the best minds in the game. He was born with natural physical gifts that most humans don't posses. LRZ looks to be incredibly fast, especially for his size, but there are tons of guys that come out of college every year that are big, fast, and strong. Many of them don't do anything of note in the NFL (if they even make it) because they lack football IQ. He has his work cut out for him so I wish him all the best!

I think pretending Wade wasn’t a top level player when he tried to play NFL is a little bit harsh. Considering he is the top scorer in the Prem, all time.

Great vid as always.. interesting to hear the football/soccer connection.. Latham still one of my all time favourites

Great job breaking this down! I played football and joined a friends side for a rugby match when they were short handed. It is SO different. For him, he will propably play offense, but I dont see how that works out. Technique for a receiver at that level is so nuanced and for a rugby player (assuming, dont have experience) a NFL playbook will be very close to impossible to handle. The complexity and detail of it combined with learning the techique behind it from the ground up is an unfathomable challenge. And if he doesnt play receiver, what does he do? Propably too tall for running back. Return Specialist maybe, but why would you switch sport for that? If he can get onto a roster in that role he might get time to develop, thats the only way I see this working out for him.

In Ireland, we see that point about the continuity of a sport being more important for making a successful rugby convert pretty often; a lot of players (Tomás O'Leary, Darren Sweetnam, etc.) have backgrounds in high-level hurling or Gaelic football, even forwards like John Hayes. A fair few Gaelic footballers try to enter the NFL through the same international pathway too.

His best natural position in my opinion after punt returner would be wide receiver where his height and speed would be useful. LRZ's adaptation to new American football specific skills (running routes, breaking jams, run blocking, etc.) remains the biggest factor in how successful this experiment will be.

i’m an american and my favorite sport has been rugby for 10 years, LRZ will do absolutely nothing in american football.

hearing squidge say my favorite team and bane of my existence new york jets has made my day

Great analysis Squidge, well done!

Played both football and rugby as a linebacker and flanker, figured they'd be pretty similar, turns out they're not even remotely similar. The physicality was different, the mentality was different, but it was nice to be able to run with the ball on the outside like I was a wide receiver :)

Paul Lasike is a class man! And powerful ball carrier. Loved playing with him

This is a brilliant and thoughtful piece.

Not jazzed about it but I wish him the best! Thanks for the vid and congrats on the new office ^^

As a lover of both sports I have to say this is a magnificently researched video, really does all involved justice

Not an expert but have experience playing both sports at a high level (university) the core philosophy of the sports is radically different and I have seen transitions both ways fail miserably. This isn't a knock on either athletic ability but a realization of the fundamental differences in the way each sport is played. And nfl player would athletically be capable of playing club rugby but would struggle with the soft skills like positioning and running support. Rugby players conversely have so many reactions built into finding space and creating passing opportunities that while uber athletic fundamentally don't work on the American football field. Conversely while rugby players can perform the tackle part of the game well the defensive schemes are so radically different that play defense for a rugby player is playing blind. There is no blocking in rugby and I have scene hard hitting rugby defenders miss read a blocking scheme because in rugby reactions teach you to ignore those in front of the ball. Reverse is also true for American football players and their instincts. I would be a millionaire if I got a dollar everytime a American football first center tried to "beast mode" for extra meters and lost the ball because he left his forwards behind. Both sports are extremely athletic but this is like saying I'm good at chess so im also going to be good at another strategy based game. Quite frankly the best transition from an American sport to rugby I have ever seen is a power forward from basket ball to an 8th man. Don't have any experience from rugby to basket ball but I assume it could go the other way.

Is there nothing you cannot break down and explain excellently? Man, as always, great video.

Never ever ever thought I'd see a clip of a football game at Fitton Field at Holy Cross featured in a Squidge video...Up the Cross!

First! (Of the long string of South Africans who'll bring up that Naas Botha was in the Dallas Cowboys squad in the mid-80s as a kicker but never got game time cause he never got a hang of kicking an American football. Did lead the Dallas Harlequins rugby team to a national title while he was there, though.)

In early 80's Naas Botha played NFL in america

Nice summary. Well done

He’s definitely a good enough athlete. Skill positions are just so hard to get into having not grown up living football. The decisions on how to run a route, where to stop etc need to be instinctual. Hopefully be can get in as a deep threat where they keep it simple but he’s gonna have to work so hard to catch up. The rugby players who would have the best shot at making it are guys like Skelton who are just MASSIVE. You can’t teach that size and if you look at the guys the IPP took they are all big linemen which tells you everything you need to know.

Dunno mate, Christian wade was pretty lethal for wasps. Not far behind LRZ in hype. Just England’s play style meant they wanted wingers with a more diverse skill set like Jack Nowell and Elliot Daly over a speed merchant

Great content as always. Thanks for not crapping on (American) football.

Paul Lasike played both rugby and gridiron football when he was at BYU. In the fall, he played running back on the BYU football team and in the spring, he played on the BYU rugby team as center. When he was asked which was harder, he said rugby because you have to play both sides of the ball (defense and offense) and you don't have time to rest after each play. He mentioned on a number of occasions that even after playing an entire football season, he would still not be in shape for rugby season.

Very interesting stuff.please keep this thread going

I’m from Kansas City and I wish him well. Special teams or RB will be the best position for him and that’s me being generous with RB. That’s a very tough position when it comes to blocking. You have to be able to read the defense and know where the blitz are coming from. You’ll have different size grown men whether they’re small and quick or big and strong coming after the QB and you have to be there not miss a block or you’ll have a short career. I saw a post about being a WR but that’s a highly skilled position. You had to have been playing that role since high school or earlier. I really want him to succeed. I can’t wait for this season. Let’s go LRZ!

Great analysis, in-depth and an interesting comparison with football that I hadn't thought of before. I wish LRZ luck, and I think he'll need it. I think his hype is because he's fast and because he's a big fish in a small pond in Wales. If he was English he might be just another Radwan, and he wouldn't start for a lot of other countries' national teams. Frankly Jarryd Hayne and Christian Wade are more talented runners (he would have had heaps of caps had he been Welsh), as is Valentine Holmes. If they couldn't make it, I doubt LRZ could.

In 1983, Springbok great Naas Botha tried out for the Dallas Cowboys as a kicker as did Natal player Cliff Brown at New Orleans Saints - both played preseason games but were cut from the roster. Colin Scotts played lock for Australian Schools in 1982 before learning the American game at University of Hawaii. He had a season with the then St Louis Cardinals; big lad at 1.98m and 120kg

Rees-Zammit just signed with the Kansas City Chiefs. For those who aren’t familiar with the NFL they’re currently the cream of the crop. Ultimately weather he works out probably depends on his ability to catch, but with the best player in the NFL it’s probably the best situation he could be put in for success

One big factor that will determine whether LRZ is a success or not is the organization that he goes to. Several teams in the NFL have had great success with finding natural athletes (meaning non-American football players) who they can teach fundamentals to and hope to grow them into the sport over a few years. One major stumbling block is that the NFL itself puts limits on team activities and how much coaches can work with players in a practice setting that's not in-season, so that will impact his ability to develop outside of training camp. Once camp starts, the dynamics change very quickly from rapid development to see who is worth sticking around, to preparing for the season which is why so many converts end up on practice squads because they need more time and reps. Tom Brady has a great interview about this and how the NFL harms itself from having players master fundamentals outside of camp. If LRZ has a basic understanding of fundamentals, he might get a faster start. Good luck to him.

I do think it will be an uphill battle for LRZ to make a roster but I do think he has the skills to make it. My initial thoughts are that he should choose a position and hone in on it from day 1 as there’s a ton that goes into each position. My best guess is as a KR/PR and secondary position being WR. If he impresses NFL scouts and GMs he might end up being drafted really late on (much like Jordan Mailata). But that’s a big if. Good luck to him and his camp tho.

It’ll be fascinating to see how he gets on.

Great video and a very accurate analysis, as a fan of both sports I couldn't of put it better myself. LRZ is taking a huge gamble and based on the track record of previous players that have converted, I do have a slight fear that he's chucking his rugby career down the drain. However if anyone can make it big in the NFL from rugby, it's him. He's still a young player that already has knowledge of the game (despite never actually having playing experience), but it's all going to depend on what franchise he ends up at and how much of a chance the franchise want to make with him. I can see him being back on the rugby pitch within the next decade if he's successful (and I personally think he'd make a great wide receiver), but if he ends up being another bit part in the practice squad like most other rugby to NFL converts, he's going to be on his way to France in about 2 to 3 years if he knows his worth. For his sake I really hope the gamble pays off and if anything I really hope he ends up with a franchise that wants to take a gamble on him too. With the right coaching staff, he could be nurtured into a potentially big asset into an offensive roster

From my limited experience in both sports, they are extremely different in the nuances. You need to catch up with lingo, the formations, the differences in PoV, keep your head on swivel, blocking techniques, cut tackles/blocks, safely tucking the ball and that's before you can find a specialist position. Plus you are compete against people who've played all their lives and still find it hard to find a roster spot. I wish him all the best because he will have to start from scratch

This channel needs 1m subs

Haloti Ngata is another player who grew up playing Rugby and became a football player later on. Vita Vea of the Buccaneers is Taulupe Faletau’s cousin, and has talked about growing up as a rugby player as well.

this was your best squarespace placement yet

Best analogy I have heard is that Rugby and American Football are like English and Japanese, yes they are both languages but that is about where the overlap ends. And while plenty of people speak both languages very few people end up being published authors in both languages. Toughness and Physicality are present in both, but the goals, flow, strategy of the game are nearly diametrically oppossed. Short Tactictal Play vs. Endurance Long Term Strategic Thinking. Someone will be able to do both, but I doubt too successfully.

Murica is a big country with many more athletes. I think he'll be a smaller fish in a much bigger pond so may not stand out enough in the combine or training to get drafted. Also, some may question NFL player IQs but those playbooks can be long and complex to a newbie.

The natural fit for LRZ will be on special teams. Most likely as a gunner on punt coverage teams where he can pin his ears back and sprint down the field to get after the returner. This is probably the most convertible skill he possesses as it is similar to a traditional kick chase in rugby. He will certainly get a look at KR. It gives him the most time and space to hit top gear and to use his skills as a runner. He won’t get looks on the defensive side. He would not have the experience and skills to play CB (for example, backpedaling and opening the hips to follow a receiver). On offense, his build isn’t suited to running back, plus he probably wouldn’t be able to pass block with any competence. WR is an option as he could conceivably learn the route tree. But could he adapt to receiving bullet passes? Also could he learn the nuances of sneaking up the seam, sitting down when the CB is in zone coverage? I do gently wonder if he could get looks at punter? He does have a decent boot on him, and many Aussie rules players have made successful punters. One thing that does stand in his stead is practise squad rules have changed in the past few seasons. As opposed to being on the practise squad all year and being permanently elevated to the active roster, you can be temporarily elevated 4x per season. If injuries pop up on the team, he could be activated for a few games just to see how he performs.

Great video. Personal view, he won't make it because his instinctive reactions to events will be a tenth of a second behind his opponents. I grew up playing rugby, discovered American Football at 18 and then played that for 10 years - only late on could I describe my on field reactions as unconscious / instant. It takes years to get there. Would love LRZ to prove me wrong!

Channel legend Psalm Wooching!!

2:42 - Also, the 80s saw a lot of internal problems in the NFL and a ratings problem. It was when the super halftime show was introduced, and a number of other "entertainment factors" were either introduced or pushed more to bring in more casual fans. The 80s is why American football saw its 2nd big boom in the 90s & 00s (the first being the couple of decades following WWII). American football is nearly unrecognisable today compared to its counterpart in the 1940s or 1950s. Its more of a show than a competition, especially in the Goodell era. And they're always looking for ways to add or change the rules to make it more entertainment-friendly and less competition-friendly. Rugby on the other hand has more or less remained more similar to its older counterparts considering the changes that have occurred in its history. Its still very much a game.

Thank you

Love the Tshirt Squidge 🖤

Don’t forget the Legend Gary Hein! Played Grid Iron and Rugby for Cal Berkeley, played for the USA in the first 2 world cups and then went to 2 15’s world cups and made 29 caps for the USA sevens team.

Naas Botha was a placekicker for the dallas cowboys for one year in 1983. He would rank as one of SA's best 10's ever. PS..love the breakdown of the difference between the two sports

It's going to be interesting to see how he does in NFL Combine like drills. Malaita got drafted (very rare for International Players) largely because, well, he's extremely large with movement you don't often see in guys that size. Hell you don't often see guys that size unless they need to lose 40lbs of flab. LRZ has alleged high end speed that would eclipse the fastest guys currently in the league. If he comes in and can run a 40 yard dash in 4.3s at 6'3" and 200lbs and do well in the agility drills as well, he has a shot at someone drafting him in the late rounds purely on athletic ability for Special Teams. If he can excel at Special Teams, he has a shot at the roster. Teams do carry Specialists at Special Teams who rarely if ever see snaps on Offense or Defense, my own team, the Pittsburgh Steelers have two of them. Neither is a returner. Milles Killebrew and Myles Boykin. Killebrew is a Safety, but it took 4 injuries for him to see snaps. Boykin is the last WR on the depth chart, one of the best gunners in the NFL and gets all his offensive snaps when we're going to run the ball because he's our best blocker at WR. Those guys will have long careers just for Special Teams. They've peaked as position players, they're bottom of the roster as position players. LRZ would have a shot as a career special teamer (if he can excel) to develop in a position on top.

On a different, but related note, the legendary Waisele Serevi made a success in the NFL on the coaching staff of the Seattle Seahawks, where he taught the how to tackle properly.

There was a guy on my college rugby team who used to be quarterback on the football team. For one reason or another, he left the team and joined the rugby club instead and was fantastic. A lot of the guys on my current club team grew up playing football and they're all great rugby players now. It's very easy to switch sports and be good, but this is at an amateur level. Even if you're among the best in the world at one sport, switching to a new one and trying to play with the best of the best isn't easy.

He'd be a good kick returner, but I think that element of the game is less important with so many rule changes to try and lessen the danger. Wide receiver is the next place. If he can develop the catching skills and learn the routes he may have a small chance of getting off the practice squad. Of course, he can at least teach them how to tackle ;)

Like the 'for NFL fans' disclaimer for explaining Rugby League. But should have been on the screen half a second longer, took me 3 attempts to pause on it correctly. Not hating RL like both sports, but explaining it like Canadian football in Canada but for Australia with regards to their preferred Rugby worked well as a very broad stroke.

You seemed to have missed the four AFL punters from Australia currently playing in the NFL. One was a punter in last weekend Superbowl.

Sports are very similar but wildly different. Not sure it’ll work out but that would be really cool.

The International Player Performance Pathway is just another part of NFL marketing. It's not a real attempt to get overseas players into their league. If it was they'd be coming over and looking at 18-19 year olds in the acadamies and offering them scholarships into US college systems to learn the game that way (there probably are people on scholarships playing the game this way you just don't hear about them until they're in the NFL). All they want is the odd high profile guy from another sport/country so that newspaper/internet/social media talks about the NFL when they wouldn't otherwise and it exposes the sport a little bit more. Ultimatley the success of the IPPP as far as the NFL are concerned is how many website hits, addtional viewers, overseas TV rights increases, etc it generates. LRZ will make a practice squad because there is no real risk to a team to put him on one and there will be pressure from the league to keep the IPPP relevant and the interest flowing.

I respect the gamble. The thing is, if you DO manage to find a spot on an NFL team and even be good enough to call yourself a star, the amount of money you would make absolutely dwarfs that of Rugby (no offense, America is just a larger market and the money flowing in sponsorships and contracts is crazy for the top guys)

I love watching Zammit on the rugby pitch, an exciting young player. He needs bucket loads of luck to make it in the NFL. Those football guys are the best of the best of the best in their profession. Even loads of 1st round picks don't make it to game time. 32 teams of 50+ players = about 1600. In a country of what...800 million people? That is some odds man.

Both are great sports, the throwing aspect of American Football really adds another dynamic and it makes it fun. The idea that everyone can score makes Rugby more universal and fun. We gotta make an in between sport

I’m an American with no rugby knowledge but this is pretty fascinating. I’m really curious what LRZ will play in the NFL, as his body type best fits the mold of a receiver, but so much technique is required for the position. But you can’t teach speed so he’ll have a great shot regardless

Hey bro, you missed out Naas Botha, who played for the Dallas Cowboys and successfully made it back to SA rugby, after many believed he should not have been given a second chance.

I'm still trying to work out what position he's gonna play. Obviously punt returner is an option but they don't always return the ball. Wide Reciever is possible but thats a very different skillset to Rugby. My money is either Safety/Cornerback on the defence, or Running Back on the offense. Either way, I'm intrigued

Good work squidge and the hairier brother!

Everyone saying the NFL is too complex for LRZ, yet I won the Superbowl on Madden when I was 11. It can't be that hard.

Most of the players are fairly anonymous outside the quarterbacks and selected based on their athletic attributes - which is they all have the same phenotype. Positions like tunning bsck are almost dosposable now

A key question - perhaps for another video - is what position Rees-Zoomit would play, given the extreme specialisation of NFL, where the mulitple attack/defence skillset of a rugby player carries no value? Is he big enough for a tight end, or explosive enough for a running back? I don't think so. Punt return is the most obvious, but hardly mainstream, and he would still be competing against running back types with greater fast twitch explosive manoeuvrability. The catching-jumping skill set for a wide receiver is very different from a winger/finsher in rugby - could he learn that? NFL fans noted that Christian Wade ran away from his blockers rather than using them. This type of tactical adaptation is is also hard. I would sincerely love him to make it but I suspect that a compact and explosive Cheslin Colby/ Jason Robinson-type player might be better suited to NFL.

I liked the comparison between football and rugby. Interesting points on intelligence, endurance, and attrition. Wouldn't be so sure about the conditioning. And even the smallest rugby player would be overweight at the top level of football.

You also have Harry Mallinder ex of Northampton, and Daragh Leader ex of Connacht joining the program this year

Sounds like this is big news in Wales (and Europe). Hope it works out for him

It will be tough. It is just hard to tell if his rugby gameplay speed translates to NFL gameplay speed. It is like asking if a marathon runner could succeed at middle distance.

Great analysis. People see an NFL running back brushing off full-bodied tackles and presume the games are comparable. In reality, the highlight-reel play you’re being shown that looks like it could’ve come from a Rugby breakaway is usually an anomaly. To me, the biggest difference is the rehearsal aspect of NFL plays, The rugby greats all have this innate feel for of the tempo of the game; in addition to being great athletes, they pick up on the ebb and flow of a constantly evolving gamestate and wait for the key moment to assert their dominance. It’s a constant state of mind they have to tap into over the course of 80 minutes. NFL plays are the opposite - you’re given your assignment for every play, and the difference between a player doing the bare minimum vs someone pulling off a game-changing play comes down to their reactions being a few milliseconds faster, or them covering a few inches of additional ground. Every comparable skill-position player in the NFL with a starting job can make the same kinds of plays as LRZ shows on his highlight reel. The difference is that they’re only required to show that explosivity in short bursts over the course of 3 hours. If he wants to set himself apart, it won’t be enough to just be an insane athlete - he’ll need to study the hell out of tape, and find a way to repurpose the unique kind of athleticism a career in Rugby has resulted in.

Amazing video. One extremely minor detail: Did you say "renumerate" or "remunerate" at 2:26? Because I'm pretty sure it's meant to be "remunerate", a common mistake. 🤪

Very bold from LRZ, best of luck to him

Superb analysis, especially the observation that Zammo is arguably the most gifted prime rugby union player to switch to NFL. If I were him, I'd set a target to bank a minimum $15 million and then return to rugby union. This is feasible with a duration of 3 years in NFL. It's obviously a win-win in terms of his own personal sporting brand. The only risk to his plan is injury, but this is true for all sports at an elite level.

Best fit for a rugby player is Tight end or punter, and LRZ is not 6'8"+. Oddly enough, I would say the RG Synman would have the best chance in the NFL.

If LRZ tries out as a wide receiver he'll find catching a pass rather different to rugby. In American football the catching is more akin to fielding in the slips in cricket (as far as how hard the ball can be thrown - it can break fingers) and you have the issue that defenders can smash you as soon as the ball arrives. Key factors that will impress coaches will be his vertical jump and his short distance speed. 40 yard speed is not the same as 100m speed. Carlin Isles is faster than Usain Bolt over 40m, but Bolt runs the last 50m much faster. NFL 'speed' tends to be more about being incredibly rapid for short bursts as you rarely get to go that far. Also, violent changes of direction without slowing down are valued as are 'juke', 'cut' and 'spin' moves that you don't see too often in rugby to generate YAC (yards after completion). He'll also have to get used to the fact that the sort of tackles that get immediately carded in rugby are standard in NFL, for example the 'bowling ball' no wrap hit to the lower legs or general no-wrap shoulder hit to the chest or even head.

There are 4 downs in gridiron, not 3. But on most 4th downs, the ball is usually kicked at goal posts or punted away. This is most likely what LMZ will be: punter or special teams (catcher of opposition punts).

Most realistic chance is a special teams specialist gunner on kicks and punts, as a wr how many routes can he run can he run them as well as a guy who’s been robotically running them for over a decade to the point that it’s in their dna. What does he know about run block concepts. In terms of rules outside of the massive rule book on how you’re allowed to tackle the qb the wr defender interaction is incredibly complicated. How good is this guy at catching a football at nfl velocity. On all these points he better be perfect because he’s going to work his ass off to make a practice squad and then prove himself as capable and if he makes a mistake or drops a pass he’s done because why bother with a project.

Not sure about that theory at all. Very little crossover between rugby and soccer in Ireland. Although there's probably a bit of shared IQ between GAA games in back-play in rugby. BOD was a GAA player first though.

Having worked in pro rugby for years, and spending 6 months at an NfL teaam, the games demands are night and day. The best way i can explain it, is have you seen the tik tok videos of kids doing walking drills? Theyll hike the ball, walk off with a walking defender trying to block the pass. The best receivers will walk slower than the defender and still leave them for dead, receiving the ball AND humiliating the defender to fall, slip, lose sight etc... NFL players arent fit, they are incredibly powerfull and explosive in a few specific areas, a wide reciever is so much more explosive on the turn, weave, step, faint etc than LRZ could ever be. Wades movement abilities leant themselves to NFL so much better than LRZ does, especially as WR. The only chance LRZ has is at return, and his pace and ability to ride a hit could make him successful ish.

I love rugby and American football and have followed both religiously for 15+ years. I can't see LRZ working out tbh. Christian Wade was too old, but at the peak of his powers he would have been perfect for the transition and he still didn't really get close to making it. My big question is what position can be play? He's too tall but not powerful enough to play running back, and most other positions are so intelligence based that his lack of experience will limit him massively. Wide receivers don't just run a prescribed route, they read and react to the defence and adjust accordingly, needing to be on completely the same wave path with their qb. My thinking is that his best opportunity would be as an H back, a kick returner, or a special teams player, all of which are less thrilling careers than what he would have had in rugby. That being said, if he runs a sub 4.4 40 yard dash I expect him to get picked up.

What about Val Holmes? Australian and and State Of Origin representative, didn't go at the end of his career then came back to play very well for the Cowboys and QLD. I think he is more comparable than everyone mentioned in the video

What a legend that Ebner was. Never heard of him.

You don’t become great unless you take risks, you don’t achieve your goals if you stay in your comfort zone. I think he’s brave and the truth is none of us know if he’ll make it or not

Im just fascinated to see what position he focuses on. I dont see hom as RB as hes a bit tall and not quite powerful enough for it. Possibly WR but that js super technical, abd will he learn fast enough to make an impact? Reckon he would do ok at Corner or Safety, but again super technical. I don't doubt his physical ability or his desire, but hes going to the place where those aren't rarities. Hope he does rugby proud.

I coached former college Football players and Lacrosse players to become a very successful College Rugby team. American Football is a game of inches, rugby flows continuously and inches rarely matter. A Football tackle is therefore a dead stop, rugby more of a judo throw. Lacrosse players adapted quickly. Football sometimes. Dislocated shoulder were an issue. Instinct is an important part of any game and this develops at a young age and is ingrained. I was invited to play college football but never did. Often wonder what would have resulted?

Should easily make a roster on physical talent- can start off on special teams, open field tackling will be a doddle for him, as said learning the playbook will be the biggest challenge. However the NF L is continually de-emphasising the kick-off (most go for touchbacks) so it is much harder to make a team just as a returner. Not many guys like Brian Mitchell or Devin Hester having decade long careers now. LRZ could be a valuable Jack of all trades like Steve Tasker,

Its really disappointing news for rugby but it's his life so good luck to him. He has the potential to be a once in a generation star for Wales. Imagine if Jonny Wilkinson had left the sport at a similar point in his career. He will be back, that's for sure, but will he develop to his potential.