Rugby requires all the players to be able to handle the ball and play offense and defense. Even the guys given the place kicking responsibilites (penalty goals and conversions) in rugby also have to play in the field. They may have their “bell rung” one minute and then have to gather themselves to kick a winning penalty or conversion! Rugby Union is much more flowing with fewer breaks in the action.

In Rugby, there is no “blocking” and tackling requires more technique – the tackler must wrap up the opponent and not just throw a diving shoulder into the opponent’s knees. Therefore, the injuries tend to be different. Given the tackling style and blocking/cutting that charactizes football, the result is the dreaded “Terrible Triad” knee injuries: ACL, MCL, and Meniscus!

For those that don’t think Union is a collision sport, try crouching over a ruck defenseless and having an opponent exploding into you at full force! Or, try tackling a 230 poind pacific islander running at full speed down the sideline with minimal protection.

On the other hand, Europeans will say Football players have all that protection and aren’t as tough as Rugby players. Well, Football padding has evolved from just protection to becoming weapons. Gridiron’s speed and sheer power surpasses Rugby. Just think: 300 lb athletes that run sub 5 sec 40 yards!! It’s no wonder padding is a requirement!

In the states, we see more young junior high and highschool rugby players that also play football that end up earning football scholarships. An Ohio State football player on special teams with a significant rugby backround was drafted by the Patriots (forget name). Many young American rugby players with football backrounds earn scholarships to play college football. Not sure if Smith is picking up football too late in life.

So anyway, Hayden’s athleticism, tackling prowess, mental and physical toughness, experience on the world’s stage, and determination should make this an interesting proposition. It’s not costing the Jets much by having him on the practice squaud either!

Football is more violent I agree it is but that’s due to the fact that pads are worn so people dont worry about getting hurt. Rugby is a much more skilled game in terms of defense. I am utterly amazed by the distinct lack of basic tackling technique in the NFL. A player can’t run with out the use of his legs so tackle low with the shoulder and wrap up with the arms. The amount of missed tackles is amazing.

In terms of toughness that’s a tricky one. You get a lot more cuts grazes bruises bumps stamp marks in rugby by it’s nature. The almost non stop action also males them fitter and have tons more stamina.
The NFL has harder hits true but a lot of those get shaken off within a play or 2.

If NFL players could tackle like rugby players then there would be a lot less points scored and the defence would give up less yardage etc etc. Basics

Football (American) you run full speed one way and the opposing side is running at full speed coming at you, this kind of makes it more violent then rugby.

Rugby is a hard contact sport. Football is a collision sport. Big difference between the two.

he’s already tougher than most of the players in the nfl
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I do not think this is not the case. While there are certain injuries that are more likely without a helmet on (poked eyes for example (and I don’t think any amount of toughness makes a poked eye easier to deal with)), you actually throw your body around more if you’re wearing pads. I don’t doubt there are some very tough rugby players, but I don’t think playing rugby makes you inherently more tough because of a lack of pads.

This is actually not the first time the Jets have explored something like this. A good friend of mine’s cousin plays professional rugby in Ireland and the Jets once reached out to him to go to camp to try and make the team as a running back. He ended up not going because he didn’t want to give up rugby. I can’t wait to see if this pans out or not. Even if it doesn’t still an interesting storyline to follow (that doesn’t involve the Cowboy’s cap violations, Tebow, or the word “bounty”).

This guy may be an athlete, but he’s probably not a football player. There’s a difference.

If nothing else, they could use him to cover the Gronkinator next year and that might be worth it.

Rugby is a tougher more violent version of gridiron football, so I’d think a lot of their players could make it in the NFL.
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That’s just flat out ridiculous!!! Rugby tackling is so different than getting hit in football. In rugby there aren’t any straight up, head on hits. The speed in football is so much faster. Foreign Rugby players have no idea what it’s like to get “stuck”!!! American rugby players are guys that are not good enough to make it in football!
Gates and Jimmy Graham at least had a basic football background when they were growing up.

Also we don’t need Tebow in every article. This has nothing to do with Tebow but you still had to slide him in at the end.

Also, Jets fans, he can’t be worse than Matt “Mr. False Start” Mulligan.

he’s already tougher than most of the players in the nfl