How will these American athletes take to rugby? Cross The Line Episode Two

[@WorldRugby]

For everyone asking when the next episode is - we will be uploading the episodes on Tuesdays each week!

[@catherinelynnfraser2001]

Thanks! I’m looking forward to these❤️

[@ww2remembered983]

Thanks for trying to awaken the Giant!

[@sbrother176]

Can't wait to see how the sleeping giant of the rugby world will wake up in the rugby world

[@laurenceryan836]

Where’s today’s ep

[@krousaj]

Excellent series! Will you share it with the folks at Major League Rugby?

[@stevelindley2041]

When I was in the British army, we played the American army in London. We thrashed them. They were quite new to rugby union and could not get used to the lack of padding and helmets.😁 Good to get these guys involved.

[@jancovanderbyl3024]

Been waiting for this episode 👍 Can't wait to see if the Americans can pull through

[@derekbroughton4324]

The Americans are hoping too, lol

[@grumpypuckg8486]

All the best wishes from Tbilisi, Georgia. A great job has been already done. And obviously we need more than 10 minutes of these amazing series

[@frozenquest]

I've found soccer and basketball players make the easiest crossover than any other sports. Both sports are large team sports, require constant movement, and have a lot of physical contact. Great video!

[@m4t3matix73]

is Handball a thing in america? Coming from europe, I think Handball makes for one of the best crossovers as you have to catch quick balls aswell and have even more physical contact than in soccer and basketball.

[@Pooler29]

Physical contact?--are you having a laugh mate. Ballet, basketball and soccer are contact sports. Rugby (Union and League) and NFL are collision sports

[@snowflakecuntreeman3947]

@@Pooler29 spoken like a true boertjie 😂🤣

[@martinohnenamen6147]

@@Pooler29 Rugby and NFL in the same group, that's rich. Yeah there is contact in both but NFL has 10-15 seconds of action and then 30+ seconds of "regeneration".

[@Pooler29]

@@martinohnenamen6147 Read again what I said...they are collision sports...NFL violently so. No doubt Rugby is more attritional and requires high levels of endurance

[@joupoes254]

Jason is an absolute unit. Built like Lomu. Can imagine him steam rolling defenders if he ever gets the ball with momentum.

[@patrickcraig7441]

please make this a series! i love this

[@WorldRugby]

It is a series! Keep watching!

[@LanceMan]

Keep trying Alex. We need to bring more people to the sport. Not just as players but as fans. The more the merrier. I for one can't wait for the MLR to start in 2022.

[@janicep11]

An American from LA loving every second of your episodes! I would love for Rugby to get really big here! 🏉

[@Rugby-union-and-league]

Good on you i would love to see that too hopefully the US have a competitive side when the world cup comes to America in 2031 cheers from a very happy kiwi after NZ beat SA in the second test last weekend was a great game too.

[@arisimmons1676]

MLR, COLLEGE RUGBY, HIGH SCHOOL RUGBY! There are ALREADY people who play rugby in the US. It's great to see MORE people getting into the sport here in the US. However, as someone who loves playing and watching rugby in the US, it's a little annoying to pretend that no one in the whole nation plays this amazing sport. There is an amazing community of people who play and are passionate about the game here in the US all over the nation. I wish these videos would highlight that as well instead of painting the whole nation as newbies. Much love.

[@puppethound]

Fair enough. I have known about Rugby for over 30 years in America. Growing up playing football until I was in my early 20s, I always wanted to play Rugby but never had a place or league to play in. I mean there was a league on the local Navy base, but I was unable to make it or could never find out where/when the practices were. You are right, While more people in America know about rugby it isn't as popular as NFL, NCAA football or basketball or even NHL Hockey. I am from the South and Football comes right after God and Family, It is a religion and will be hard to replace, plus there is more money to be made in all 4 major sports as a pro, so you would have to be brought up on Rugby to want to play just for the love of it.

[@youarenotmadenough655]

Its growing we actually have state championships now

[@jamesjames_07]

They literally joined a training session of America’s oldest rugby team lol. I’m what part of the video did you see them pretending rugby isn’t played or full of newbies lol

[@michaeliets1076]

No one is arguing that there is no rugby in the USA, all they're saying there's much more potential for the sport in the country.

[@martinohnenamen6147]

Don't think they are painting the whole nation as newbies, it's just a different approach outside of the box ;)

[@WorldRugby]

Which US sport do you think would prepare people best to play rugby?

[@dtwizzy8061]

Basketball and Football definitely

[@tuhuster]

Football and wrestling

[@standard12th66]

NFL: props hooker, wingers and fullback. Maybe outhalf. Basketball: all backs Athletics: All backs really Wrestling: Props, Flankers and 8. Can't think of sports for second row unless rowing counts?

[@neill392]

The problem for footballers is the endurance element. I'd look for wide receivers who also played basketball. Or who played both sides of the ball. Also think wrestling is probably a more fruitful source than football.

[@salsaman228]

@@standard12th66 rowers would be decent second time rows or 12/13s

[@silibuinimasi9207]

Really impressed with your work and your persistence will eventually pay off for sure. You have to throw the bronco test in on their first session 😂 my man. Good luck brother and looking forward to more. 🙏🏻💪🏽🏉

[@dtwizzy8061]

I love these episodes can't wait for the next episode

[@ww2remembered983]

I played all the American sports with my brothers and friends growing up. Never played Rugby, but it looked like fun. I found myself in London in '90. I had just turned 35 y/o. I met some Rugby people through a friend and we hit it off, so my initiation and painful learning curve began! I had a ball though, loved playing winger when I started out and scored some great tries. Once I kinda knew what I was doing and stared initiating contact, they moved me in, to Flanker. The linebacker of rugby.....Then I played some Lock, as I joined the giants of the forward pack. When I came back to the States, I played for 5 more years with SFGGRFC, a top national club in the Bay Area. We had a lot of players who played most sports and we all loved it. Lotsa of lights out Kiwi's, Aussie's and Irish players who grew up in the sport as well. Plus, you have around 75 buddies on the team and the social part of the game is awesome! Not to mention the hotties really dig it and you too! Thanks for this vid!! I always thought USA could be a powerhouse in international Rug, so..... C'mon, Young American Men!! It's a blast!!

[@ww2remembered983]

I used to wind up the Poms by asking " What countries team is the two time defending Gold Medal Olympic Champions of Rugby??! ". No one knew the sport was discontinued in the Olympics in the 1920's, but the USA had won the last two! Rugby being the father of American football and all.....Now Rugby is back and we have qualifying national Sevens teams playing for the medals.

[@RogerDidierM.]

These guys are gonna really love rugby. There is no other more fun team sport.

[@hankgoldenshaft]

I’m really excited for these men, awesome stuff

[@catherinelynnfraser2001]

This is an amazing series. Thank you

[@rwags6848]

Good luck from NZ... there’s a lot to learn. Basics: no pads and helmets, no calling for the other half of the team when your opponent gets the ball, can’t pass forward, everyone must be prepared to play out of position/type...

[@AceDeclan]

Adam Ashley cooper at the end 🤩🤩🤩

[@noelle3551]

I find this intriguing!! Back in the mid 70's when I was in philidelphia me and few others introduced rugby to high school kids though I had just started college. Scepticism at first but they loved the full on contact without the padding!!

[@Littlelurch85]

This is fun to watch. If any of those athletes do read these comments: Keep it up boys that was fun to watch and I'm looking forward to see you all grow into a good strong team. Hope we can get to see you take part in a game in a few weeks time. Going to watch that 3rd episode right now.

[@russelluasilaa8843]

Awesome work man.. rugby is fun!!!

[@elijahtchilembe-mpovie2715]

Really excited and happy to see my Rugby league teammates from LA like Ivan and Jayson here, and others from the local teams in the area nicest guys off the pitch and just absolute units on the pitch. Can't wait to see more of this!

[@julianbristow3466]

This is awesome. Thanks Alex!

[@danielokwe4898]

I could actually learn alot from this. Thank you. This is good stuff.

[@Seanc74]

Good luck..

[@victoriaa2281]

Would have liked to see some hockey players, see how the hitting translates over.

[@skkettch]

This is a good way to introduce rugby to the USA. This is amazing

[@ww2remembered983]

It's been here for decades, but American football wants to keep it down...

[@danielbalboni6804]

Professional rugby started in the USA in 2018. USA Rugby was founded in 1975 and there have been clubs the pre-date that.

[@darrilynbradley9624]

LET'S GO.....fan from NZ

[@kaiebosworth9407]

I’ve been waiting for this

[@witepaw8701]

this is a great series. you guys should create a playlist

[@5jacksonsjourney179]

Great idea, great series. Keep going Alex!

[@TheTheotherfoot]

When the AB's played the US, one of the commentators called it correctly. He said the reason the AB's were so good was that the played and learned the game from the age of kids. Developing what could be termed "rugby IQ" takes time and the best training is to get them young and train them as they grow through the grades.

[@RedLorryYellowLorry_]

Okay I'm hooked.

[@hilmiyusof6368]

I have waited for a week. Thanks for the upload 👍👍

[@gokturktutuncu9383]

I’m sooo excited for the next ep

[@exodusdiva2295]

Awesome episodes, I'm curious to see how this team turns out. My only complaint is that its too short. Look forward to the next one

[@SapientiaHaereticae]

In my youth, 25 years ago, I quit playing American Football to play Rugby.. personally, I must say that playing Back at 🏉 requires much more athleticism than playing WR at 🏈 .. overall, I think Rugby requires more versatility than Football. Would be interesting to do the experiment in the opposite way - convert Rugby players to Football (remember when the Dallas Cowboys offered a contract to Jonah Lomu in the 90's?), which I think would be easier..

[@meatsweatmundungus6415]

We do that en masse in Britain, American Football is getting really popular and 90% of players, myself included, are ex rugby players

[@puppethound]

It feel it would be easier for NFL players to transition to Rugby and be successful than vice versa. I mean take the top 25 athletes from the NFL and teach them Rugby for a year, pit them against Rugby league/union team and while yes they will get destroyed, I think they at least score and make some big plays, while on the other hand if you took the best 25 players from say the English premiership and put them into the NFL, they would get smashed. The linemen (props and hookers) would be way under sized and most of the team would be so slow. I mean you have some fast players in Rugby, but they are small in size, the NFL on the other hand has fast, strong, and big players. The biggest difference I see when it comes to Rugby vs. NFL is that Rugby has more well rounded athletes and two-way players. While Tom Brady is an amazing QB, He would be such a liability on defense or anything else for that matter. He is so slow and can only throw the ball. Would be fun to see though, but while both sports have their athletes, I think the transition from NFL to Rugby would be easier for former's players.

[@_hxrryyy6794]

Check out christian wade, left wasps to play in the nfl, think hes at the bulls now

[@SapientiaHaereticae]

@@_hxrryyy6794 ..you mean the Bills 😉 Indeed, he spent two seasons in their practice squad..

[@thehappypeople7495]

I mean the eagles have Jordan mailata

[@theenlykvnhr5707]

2:16 perfect tackle

[@monke9434]

You're a legend for this..

[@Samizouza]

Good to see the growth of rugby in the States through crossover athletes

[@dougmoen]

Probably won't see this at the academy awards but it's really interesting. Keep it coming.

[@SwarleySwablu]

Is that Two dads (Adam Ashley Cooper) at 9:16 ?

[@Sulu-sw3zo]

*NOPE, HE HAS ONE DAD SMH!*

[@Gitanarosa]

I’m here for it!

[@mysticproduce705]

Good job Alex. Hard journey ahead

[@shahrirali6485]

Lovely........get the 3rd episode quick please....😁

[@WorldRugby]

It'll be out on Tuesday👍

[@shahrirali6485]

@@WorldRugby That's tomorrow, no? (CAN'T WAIT MODE)😁

[@jean-marcsanchez902]

Best collective sport ever !

[@redneckReno]

please keep it up Alex!!

[@simonarnold3252]

I love how the Americans recognise the comraderey and brotherhood in rugby. Love how they respect the game. Their athletes are beasts so really excited to see how they get on!!

[@simonndua]

Great stuff this is 👍

[@kutendamakwamaya977]

When are they going to find out Alex played for B&I Lions

[@rittherugger160]

It will have no meaning to them.

[@kutendamakwamaya977]

It could maybe show that he is a World pro at the game

[@rittherugger160]

@@kutendamakwamaya977 Yes, it could do that if you explained that to them but simply telling them that he was a B&I Lion would be meaningless to the vast majority of Americans.

[@ww2remembered983]

@@rittherugger160 There are a lot of rugby players in the US right now, fyi....Was Alex a Ba-Ba too?

[@kutendamakwamaya977]

I think so.

[@huwtindall7096]

That Eagle Rock chairman with his werid Saffa/Yank accent was hard on the ear but beautiful at the same time. Keep fighting the good fight of rugby in the USA!

[@antideluvian9530]

When's episode 3!!?? Binge worthy lol

[@WorldRugby]

A new episode will come out each Tuesday!

[@thomassamuel57]

What a series x

[@sylezmakefightz9727]

I love this I’m American but into rugby 7 years now I my fav team all blacks

[@robmcrob2091]

US would be good at any sport it takes seriously with its huge, diverse population and immense high school and college grass roots sport infrastructure.

[@dylansterio3227]

Why can’t we have longer episodes?

[@Sulu-sw3zo]

9:16 *LEGEND SPOTTED - AAC*

[@roseandren156]

Very good video

[@mogomotsitlhone5990]

Wouldn't it be something to see some of these guys in their national squad couple years from now...

[@partypooper2121]

Love it!

[@warleymt]

Tinha que fazer igual aqui no Brasil.

[@andrewdonnan2169]

Should be a 20-30min per episode, great show, feel it's way too short

[@marybowesobrien7185]

Enjoyed that ..more please 👍 ..less rings and jewellery would be safer . Not something you would see at all at any level at most training pitches or games . Looking forward to some full episodes .💚☘️

[@keletohiko4305]

America has many great sportmanship. Once they knew rugby well, they will one of the great country in rugby sports.

[@kian9982]

This brilliant

[@mathewrichards7309]

America has always had potential they could easily be a top 10 ranked rugby nation.

[@Jamac007]

If they were serious should be easily top 5

[@willempretorius6700]

Would love to see America as a tier 1 nation.

[@onatic4659]

Got destroyed by irish b team a few months back

[@Jamac007]

It's only a matter of time

[@willempretorius6700]

@@onatic4659 imagine some of your top NFL talent in the US eagles team. You would have given the Irish a go for their money. You have the talent and resources to become tier one, you only lack the will.

[@TGBAgentOrange]

yay! finally!

[@Kange_10854]

One Day one Time i will be Able to join you , for the love of Rugby

[@darthmong7196]

Alex looks great.

[@SK-zy2ri]

Legendary I love this keep going try get rugby in America they have it in them! Let's get rugby in America big America could hit rugby n could be a big hitter in rugby in world cups n maybe a pro rugby there too

[@albertinamaiuongara6443]

Rugby fitness ain't no joke bruhhhh

[@puppethound]

As an American, I want this to succeed in America. Rugby is so fun to watch. I just recently started watching and I love it. It reminds me of what Football was in America in the 70s, 80s and 90s, so much action, always moving, no commercials. While the game is tough, it seems playable without all the intent to literally kill the other player and while there is respect in the NFL and NCAA, these rugby leagues and union players always respect each other and the refs and vice versa. Amazing game.

[@alexgreenwood7001]

Come on you chaps! I'm a women's rugby union fan (UK). Fab. x

[@davidthemod4729]

As an All Blacks fan, I'm actually in dread of the Americans potential in this sport. In my opinion they will become the third hemisphere of rugby in the not distant future.

[@omachegibson466]

Awesome

[@CRVENAZVEZDA-wn1ws]

Рагби најбољи спорт уз фудбал 🏉⚽

[@matta2738]

Rugby needs to get into the school system in the USA. Unless it does this, it won't pick up the talent in time before they choose to play other sports.

[@gizellevandenberg5022]

Hope they do good

[@sdeepj]

You should recruit hockey players

[@SK-zy2ri]

Nice topic 😊can America b big enough for rugby that the question lol I hope so it b good t have an Americas leagues

[@Rugby-union-and-league]

Good luck USA hope you have a competitive side for the world cup in the US in 2031 btw watch the SA v NZ test round two of the RC thats how rugby should be played it was number 1 on trending too cheers from NZ

[@maverick5869]

The biggest issue is the game not being televised. The only way is being exposed and getting kids involved

[@ww2remembered983]

American football feels threatened by Rugby....

[@atlasthehost313]

Nice

[@jopiecoetzee3569]

Hey mate do need more players?

[@21cup]

The acting 😂

[@jenks9967]

Ivan looks very handy

[@Jackthompson01]

These are sick

[@waqarkhan25]

how come Alex did ask any baseball players

[@TAU-ci8um]

go find some islanders

[@blackflamesolutions526]

There are many islanders born and raised in the US who play rugby. The USA National team has, and has always had, strong Islander representation. There are large Islander communities in California and Washington State. The all time record try scorer for the US national team is a Tongan born baggage handler at SF airport called Vaea Anitoni.

[@TAU-ci8um]

@@blackflamesolutions526 dang

[@Sulu-sw3zo]

*THIS COMMENT!*

[@TAU-ci8um]

@@Sulu-sw3zo ?

[@Sulu-sw3zo]

@@TAU-ci8um I mean it's a legit statement.

[@Harrisn__Bennett]

One thing Americans do have is the good hands tbf

[@sachinbangaru737]

They really pushing this American rugby thing hey…

[@Sulu-sw3zo]

$$$

[@Jamac007]

As they should.

[@coachduece]

Shiii I'm a RB/LB that played played fly half for 5 years... hit me up!

[@liammurphy8970]

Like the concept seems way too staged lol. Who wouldn’t be curious of a cameraman chilling round you whilst you trained hahaha!?

[@SK-zy2ri]

More training camps in America for rugby?? More in schools Also with soccer we need more Americans doing that but American football I mean alot of talent to be found in America this is where to look for rugby stars

[@mariusheyns2862]

we getting to fancy here boys stick to the basics .... lol

[@sujankavinda8977]

"Welcome to rugby" All sports are cool until you try rugby 😉

[@sbrother176]

US has all the huge talents, once they get into it right they'll takeover the rugby world. They're the sleeping giants of the rugby world, the whole world knows it.

[@croulantroulant3082]

people have been saying that for decades....In football too (soccer). It'll never happen.

[@sbrother176]

@@croulantroulant3082 Rugby 🏉 is not soccer ⚽. Hope that's clear

[@croulantroulant3082]

@@sbrother176 I played rugby for 10 years, I know. French guy here. But the situation is the same: the US is a nowhere near the top in both these sports (at least for men).

[@sbrother176]

@@croulantroulant3082you played rugby for 10 years, I played rugby for 30 years of my life and 15 years of it as a professional rugby player, it doesn't mean I can I see the future. US is the sleeping giant of the rugby world 🌎. They have the money and resources and abundant talents to take them through and completely change the rugby world. Japan 15's team were a losing team just a few years ago playing in the Pacific Nations Cup but now they're considered a tier 1 team competing in tier one super rugby franchise and even beating tier 1 world class teams like South Africa, Wales etc etc why? Because they have the money, resources and abundant talents to do so, build rugby academies, contracting top world class players to be added into their local rugby franchise, higher top rugby world cup winning coaches etc etc thus developing immensely locally and setting up rugby academies for grass roots level in junior high, middle school, college etc etc. Learning the skills, techniques, etc etc. USA most certainly can do the same and way much more

[@croulantroulant3082]

@@sbrother176 Japan beat Scotland way back in 89. Wales in 2013. Their progress has been a long time coming. anyways I'm not saying the US will not get better, but they won't become a "giant" in rugby or football. Never. Because they don't have the culture at the heart of these sports. Money and athletic qualities is not enough. You have to grow up in that culture to really live and breathe the sport and excel.

[@Mimeniia]

Ivan needs to remove the nose rings or he'll end up losing his nose.

[@prastikautami1161]

YOU GUYS ARE AWFUL HAHAHA EACH EPISODE SHOULD BE AT LEAST 30MIN LONG. LOOKING FORWARD TO THE NEXT EPISODES!!!

[@whe2mc249]

Bro this is so fake