When PRO Rugby Players Go To Play in AMERICA

In this video we take a look at when pro rugby players go to play in America. From Waisake Naholo to Ma'a Nonu, this video has it all. Sit back and enjoy some brilliant rugby.
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[@daviddbell1987]

It's nuts to think that nonu is 40yrs young and still playing like he's 20

[@KnightWing274]

Not really haha he's playing like he's in 30's.. less crushball and contact 😂 reason why he's playmaking a lot

[@Tom-vu1wr]

Ye but what about Wigglesworth starting premiership final at 39

[@_Bat-Man_]

@@joachimmahoudeaux8619 Not really laughable it’s understandable considering rugby not really a thing over there.. I’m sure they’ll get better in time

[@rugger104]

@@_Bat-Man_ Footie in the MLR has gotten exponentially better since they launched, and they are therefore, is attracting more talent. It will still be decades before the homegrown, US game rounds up to Tier 1 status, if ever... MLR was almost unwatchable at the beginning, but they are a much improved product now, and have some very exciting and competitive matches.

[@DunedinDealer]

@@joachimmahoudeaux8619 gotta disagree. nonu came back to the blues in NZ after France and he tore it up for a season, bastareaud tho.. lol yup....

[@avechristus3446]

As someone who’s grown up in a rugby rich home and country, I want nothing but the best for the Americans, I hope some day they get just as far in the World Cup as strong teams like the tri-nations do

[@julienk7873]

Will be difficult, American Football drag all the potential top players.

[@alvinfredericks6044]

Yeah, but I want to see them build it on their own with their own citizens, not by bussing in islanders and South Africans.

[@lukekeegan2374]

Alvin Fredericks how come Southern Hemisphere teams are allowed bring in islanders

[@alvinfredericks6044]

@@lukekeegan2374 It isn't right then either. I imagine you are referring to Aus here?

[@lukekeegan2374]

@@alvinfredericks6044 a lot of countries do it. England France new Zealand Australia

[@rootsboy6981]

Nonus passing skills are just outstanding

[@onboardcc2400]

his ability to move to the center when he was young from the wing, unlike many other wingers who couldn't swap position to evolve into pro rugby

[@andywatson611]

I said to my wife just a few days ago, where the hell did Milne Skudder go? Well that just got answered

[@rugger104]

I just found out in another highlight video today, and I live in the US. I knew about Nonu, but they don’t do enough on social media to help spread the word. Naholo also, just found out from this video as well 😁

[@neilpieterse9614]

Lots of tri nation superstars playing and coaching in the states

[@steventhomas9461]

Chasing the Yankee dollar

[@rugger104]

@@steventhomas9461 I’m not buying that- he could make much more money in France

[@drunkenashhole4728]

@@rugger104 I like to think that he just wanted to help rugby in the us. I appreciate it lol

[@KX5Kat]

Even the best rugby players need an entire team to give them the opportunity to score a try. Individual brilliance only takes you so far in this sport, which is why the US needs coaches and an entire team at an international level. The athleticism and talent pool is already there.

[@kenallard8728]

The top-tier talent pool will most often opt to play the lowest level of American gridiron before playing rugby. There's definitely talent, but not enough of it has been siphoned off by American rugby. There are teams out there like the American Raptors in Colorado that only go after high-level crossover athletes, usually American college gridiron players who have finished their careers. It'll be exciting to see if other programs can replicate that effort.

[@dimitristsogas8689]

True.coaches is the most important, but right after that veteran players will boost growth of teams as new players gain XP just by watching them train

[@bronicaetrs]

Any World Cup winning nation will tell you like @random thought said, “grass roots” We all know you have super duper guys that can jump tall buildings etc but if it isn’t in your DNA by the time you come to play on the World Cup stage then you’re just attending to make up the numbers. Consider Japan, smallest team per kg but proved they can bring down the biggest teams and even make the quarter finals of the World Cup. That took over 20 years, more than 3 world class coaches, off seasoned international pro players drafted and billions in revenue to get them there. They kept their heads down and did the work, got their clubs up and running, got the best coaches and the best players that money could buy. Grass roots baby, other than devine intervention, there is no other way.

[@julienk7873]

@@kenallard8728 Going from Rugby to Football is way easier than the other way. If you want to have top players, they need to start young to compete, and it's where football kill rugby in the US.

[@diogeneslantern18]

@@bronicaetrs _billions?_

[@RoyJones.]

These Pro players be bullying American players like college boys🤣

[@diogeneslantern18]

Ja no, for sure. It's really quite, quite bad.

[@Lanz22]

Nonu's passing game is still elite. Unreal

[@chriscowley488]

Bastareaud playing no8 and Nonu throwing wonder passes sums it up. Bastareaud at no8 might have suited him much earlier on in his career. Or prop???

[@kbho4177]

He would have been a good prop with handling but I'm not about his scrum ability

[@MKRM27]

@@kbho4177 that is how weird the modern game has got. When you can half consider someone to play prop without knowing if they could possibly scrummage

[@Ryan-lx6oh]

This is truly awesome to see! Would love to see the Egals break into the top 5 in the world! I can see it happening at some stage as they have been kicking ass in 7's in the past few years!

[@taraishot100]

15 aside is a whole different beast to the 7s lol if that’s your logic why isn’t Fiji a tier one nation in 15 aside yet?

[@Ryan-lx6oh]

@@taraishot100 Because it is an Island nation of not even 900,000 people for starters, The USA has over 350 million people. Yeah 7's is different yet there are a lot of skill sets you can convert between the different forms of Rugby. The main difference been the dynamics within the forward pack which over time can be coached. Rugby is growing in popularity in the States. So all things considered of course the USA has more potential than Fiji in the 15 per side game.

[@Ryan-lx6oh]

@Unknown 7s from what I can tell is a lot larger than 15 aside but that could change over the coming decades. What a suspect might happen is as the US Rugby team see's more success it will grow in popularity and it will have a positive renforcmentloop. Like the snowball efect. I remember seeing the US winning 7 a side tournaments recently. Just wait and see.

[@rscoops3986]

@@taraishot100 Do you feel big and clever :) Never underestimate American resources. I do feel like the contact nature and future health problems ex players are reporting in NFL and rugby will hinder expansion of the sport in the US.

[@Ryan-lx6oh]

@@rscoops3986 What Rugby Union has over the NFL also is that Rugby is an internetional game & Americans are pateriotic people. I can imagine the USA playing England at Twickenham the home of England Rugby in front of 100,000 people, the atmosphere at Twickenham is awesome! Once the US break into even the top 5-6 in the world the sport could explode in the States. NFL is more pacifically position orintated, haveing defensive and offensive sides that come on when required while Rugby's skill sets are more allrounded. I would say there would be many professional NFL players that would be better suited for Rugby. Rscoops the resources in the US are HUGE! That is why with the right coaching and support the USA could be world beaters! And finally it would be great for the game of Rugby!

[@blitzblix9455]

this is the equivalent of footballers going to china or japan

[@Sportsguru711]

Nonu the best No.12 to ever grace the rugby Field No Debate💆🐐

[@alexl6582]

@Sharky Shark VR nice bait

[@bestinbusiness1]

@Sharky Shark VR Christian isn't even the best 12 in Wallabies history let alone world 🤣

[@bestinbusiness1]

@Sharky Shark VR you also didn't offer any debate to Nonu not being the best so just a bit hypocritical 🤷‍♂️

[@alexl6582]

@Sharky Shark VR yeah cool nice bait and good for you, you can write a snarky comment while offering no insight of your own. Nonu is the GOAT #12 period. Yes you can say that he was surrounded by talent but his personal playing stats show his physicality/skill and his accolades speaks for his legacy. Christian Leleafano.... what an obvious troll

[@chrisfaasega7536]

if you really know rugby then nonu is the best 12 hands down

[@no_shoes6706]

0:54 bro Nonu got the ball from Tom Brady lmao

[@LordSeth-hf8ew]

No way giteau and Ashley cooper 😂 that's unreal

[@jeannewillemse6433]

His name should bring a smile to the face of any rugby fan. I'm South African but guys like him remind me of the golden age. When he played AUS, SA and NZ had like...teams fully made up of hall of famers practically. The Schalk Burger days and Dan Carter days etc....shit even the English had legends then like Wilkinson, not to mention the Irish back then. Man I could go on forever, makes me wanna cry man...so many legends all at once.

[@LordSeth-hf8ew]

@@jeannewillemse6433 i remember old giteau and adam killing it during the WC under Cheika they were elite

[@ThePudding1232]

Been there for ages playing.. get with it kid

[@LordSeth-hf8ew]

@@ThePudding1232 us rugby isn't exactly the peak of the sport is it

[@jeannewillemse6433]

@@ThePudding1232 the fck are you talking about?

[@JPmaxlevel]

i like the title, you have pro rugby player.. and you have americans rugby players hahaha

[@royw-g3120]

Damn that one at 3 mins was confusing at first , when you can’t figure out where the touch line is!

[@steventhomas9461]

Ma'a has always been a great AB and one of my favourite players

[@johnnyyoung2532]

Is bill meakes invisible man’s literally one of the top players in the league

[@deborahbenjamin1271]

so many lines on the field, how do the players keep track. Thought they went into touch at 3"14

[@TheMrPeteChannel]

The New York team uses its football 🏈 25 yard line as the 22 meter line!. Confusing still!

[@hansdessureault7632]

Bastereau was a massive liability that year. Did the bare minimum on defense and couldn’t move laterally.

[@johnbryartetradingbothfore6302]

Well, I’m an expert at binary options trade/forex. I help people/organizations invest and make meaningful profit weekly and be financially free. Are you familiar with it?

[@lukecarter7776]

What’s the song !?

[@grid462]

Was picturing some gridiron crossover action from this title. Has anyone notable done that?

[@TheMrPeteChannel]

It was done in Jacksonville, Florida. A Rugby Leauge team played an American football 🏈 team. First half was Gridiron. Second half was rugby Leauge. The Leauge team won. It was like 20 years ago.

[@lifewithrugby]

The grounding wtf 😂

[@Mojo16011973]

How many sports was that last pitch marked out for?

[@TheMrPeteChannel]

🏈 Football, ⚽ Soccer!, LaCrosse & 🏉 Rugby! Even I was confused!

[@jimbob2252]

Title change When Nonu goes to America lol

[@LuisAndrade-vg1hf]

SO MANY LINES WHAT A CONFUSION !!!

[@TheMrPeteChannel]

Multi sport field! But I seen many courts in Europe marked out for Volleyball, basketball, handball & netball at the same aerna!

[@the_katman2181]

Hang on, is Bastareaud a No.8 now?

[@tomwalker2070]

Basteraud playing 8 now??

[@monkeydbertho2113]

It’s look like french flair without despair

[@royw-g3120]

Would like to witness the parallel universe where Derrick Henry is a winger for the USA team. Tall , fast and a stiff arm/hand off from hell.

[@royw-g3120]

@@dakkerrins6344 Running Back for the Titans . 6’4” 17 1/2 stone. Really, really fast deadly hand off either side and steamrollers defenders, would make an awesome winger.

[@donjorvead2431]

alot off the mlr is full of overseas players which is crazy

[@MKRM27]

And it does absolutely nothing to develop the American game

[@neverindoubtjones4789]

They need a few more lines on their pitches.

[@TheMrPeteChannel]

Multisport fields!

[@interestedbystander196]

Ma'a lookin' a bit beefy there...

[@tomthai7674]

if only us football player could have a interest in rugby, they could show us what a hundred years of football can do at rugby. unfortunately, money will never be enough. us football generates tons of cash. good for them, not for the world cup.

[@MKRM27]

I doubt there are many American football players who would be successful at rugby

[@jeydenyakartsang3013]

@@MKRM27 you probably can’t even name 3 NFLers lol, some of the best athletes play in the NFL

[@cynthiaabscott1671]

Well, I’m an expert at binary options trade/forex. I help people/organizations invest and make meaningful profit weekly and be financially free. Are you familiar with it?

[@reynaldparisel3852]

Ouais ouais ouais, des vieilles stars qui viennent gratter du fric en fin de carrière (la même chose au foot).

[@jonathanpark7245]

Im confused by the title, but im guessing when PRO rugby players gonto AMERICA they end up playing professional rugby?

[@levibrown7645]

this is just roasting america's rugby players

[@BeeR199]

bastareaud the most underestimate player its always a spectacle when he play

[@diogeneslantern18]

They don't have the heart to commit to the tackle these MLR guys

[@lebowski_dude]

Was Bastareaud playing 8? I always thought he looked more like a loose forward than a back...

[@MKRM27]

Physically he looked more like a prop

[@winkle1]

🇬🇧 class

[@davidedbrooke9324]

Wow, I didn’t know Americans played so much.

[@casperhilgardtfolscher8599]

They have a small group of South Africans also

[@adamlawrence3415]

Every country has groups of South africans

[@MisterPoppy-sc1sj]

c'est à l'américaine : attaque à fond et peu de défense

[@Garrett1240]

Most of these players aren’t American. There’s no American style of rugby, please. You’re just eager to pile on.

[@baileyfitzpatrick307]

the pitch conditions look seriously unplayable

[@TheMrPeteChannel]

How many sports do you want on your multi sport field? Yes.

[@PacifikaGodz]

MLR.. where retired players go to have fun

[@tpsin713]

yeah cuz the real talent plays American football not rugby!! Would be different then.

[@PacifikaGodz]

@@tpsin713 those “real talent” wont even make it past the U20s

[@tpsin713]

@@PacifikaGodz the NFL is full of players who could play rugby get real.

[@PacifikaGodz]

@@tpsin713 hahahahaha no…they dont have the heart and courage

[@hugenerretho9151]

US rugby is still at developing stage just need more attention and money

[@veresa3131]

america lacks talent and the coaching staff xd

[@fionncourtney5771]

How the hell can they play on a football field honestly the lining would be so confusing

[@TheMrPeteChannel]

The NYC team is on a football field. It uses the 25 yard line as the 22 meter line. The 35 yard line is the 10 meter line. Natrualy the 50 yard line is the half way line. As a result the playing field is only 91.4 meters from goal line to goal line. Shorter then the World Rugby minimum of 94.0 meters.

[@edfidow7681]

I guess some of us are not pro rugby players then hahahaha.

[@lechat2132]

Bastareaud... toujours à jouer bêtement de son physique sans utiliser sa tête. Vraiment il nous manque pas celui-là.

[@MrMurgen]

Interessting. So there is a Rugby league in the USA. Why are they still playing American Eggball then?

[@ocodeskamcdbsm]

I can't decide whether it is good or bad for US rugby having these retired international players. MLR in the US is so far behind, I can't see these players helping as player's. Better if they were coaches. It's hard to watch MLR games as the skill level at times is poor and these international retired players would be better help off than on the field. Just my opinion

[@ocodeskamcdbsm]

@@ageingtrucker how Are they making good money? Through sponsorship deals? Their salaries as players are minimal compared to what they made playing in Europe

[@dolteki]

@@ocodeskamcdbsm they can't play anymore in Europe, then it's still more money

[@antoineneyret1717]

I think they just want to see how it is to live in the US and have a change in their life, different culture in the country but also in the team, I mean, as a kid from outside the US, to live in NYC or LA is kind of a dream at one point in your life 🤷🏻‍♂️ so why not, even if the sport is not famous there.. and as they are very good and experienced players I think they are helping the players as well as the training staff. They just love the game and want to keep playing!

[@DEvilParsnip]

Those guys are still a class act, if they are improving standards its what you need.

[@ocodeskamcdbsm]

@@DEvilParsnip I'm not saying they aren't still great rugby player's. What I'm saying is that I think they would be better off the field than on the field with regards to improving the standards of rugby in the US. They are magnificent to watch and though that helps to bring in supporters, I don't think it's helping the players improve

[@asct3674]

MLR players should acquire virility and willpower of their NFL counterparts

[@benjaminescolero6645]

American rugby could be huge if they managed to attract the talent calibre if American football . But that will never happen American football it far to popular/lucrative

[@SuperEdge67]

They go to play in America to top up their pensions. They’re mostly old and no longer young enough or good enough to play Super Rugby in the Southern Hemisphere or in European leagues.

[@MKRM27]

These ex world-class professionals playing in the USA is doing absolutely nothing for the American game

[@bobys2997]

J'ai un peu de mal quand je vois la photo de Bastareau associée à "rugby pro". Ce mec a un hygiène de vie absolument déplorable pour un joueur pro.

[@chaseoceo7825]

Us Australians grow up playing rugby union and league

[@MusMasi]

in all states? thought Aussie Rules is the code that is played nationwide?

[@chaseoceo7825]

@@MusMasi most states

[@usarugbyleagueunionfan]

We’re trying to make that a realty here too!

[@chrisbuesnell3428]

Not so much now

[@chaseoceo7825]

@@usarugbyleagueunionfan good luck I hope u guys enjoy it as much as us

[@olivierpuyou3621]

I wonder if they are really professional players, I think a team of cadets would give them a hell of a beating. they look like pachyderms, slow, clumsy, borrowed. They should stick to their American football.

[@chrismoll6862]

Rukby gee my n been

[@silentdogfart4892]

Trust me. It's coming. Love seeing the Yanks play a real game but sooner or later they'll start putting a real side together and then they'll be hard to beat

[@diogeneslantern18]

It'll take more than a decade. The Irish were the whipping boys 10, 20 years ago - and now? A powerhouse.

[@colloquialsoliloquy6391]

Is it fair to say that the NFL /NBA probably have been hampering rugby and football's development in America? Such a crazy rich pool of talent must go to waste every year.

[@bp1359]

Major League Rugby? Ummm...

[@sluglips2190]

The Americans could be a power house of the sport but they choose some girls game instead. Bet rugby players would make a mockery in the NFL if they were given the right training and time.

[@princea5886]

They're welcome to try. The NFL minimum salary is $660,000. Average pay $2,000,000. The minimum NRL salary is $58,000 and average $175,000. If they were able to do so, why wouldn't they come play football and earn 10X their current salary? Jared Hayne left rugby to try to play in the NFL and let's just say it didn't go very well for him.

[@sluglips2190]

@@princea5886 Not sure what money has to do with it fella..

[@princea5886]

@@sluglips2190 My point (which I have a feeling you already understand and are pretending not to) is that if rugby players were actually able to compete in the NFL, they would because they could become millionaires, instead of making a middle class living playing rugby.

[@sluglips2190]

@@princea5886 it's all about playing the sport from a young age is probably the reason they don't play in the NFL. I bet you're better at a certain sport that you've played from a young age then a sport you've just started playing...

[@sluglips2190]

Leave the money side out of this as it has nothing to do with how good you are.

[@Unborn-Stillborn]

If america stopped playing american football they would dominate rugby forever ...

[@tekajikuyalkrul5111]

Nope, they wouldn't

[@Unborn-Stillborn]

@@tekajikuyalkrul5111 of course they would .. easily... over 330 million people .. huge money in US sports ... etc ... they'd slaughter any team. Rugby is only seriously played by a handful of countries .. the fact that a country with only 5 million people like NZ could win the rugby World Cup is proof of that. Ireland has a similar population and is world no 1. That would never happen if the big population countries that take sports seriously decided to focus on rugby. Even if Germany took an interest in rugby they is no reason they wouldn't dominate it. Big population, big people, great sporting records, great discipline and seriously dedicated professional people. They fact is most countries are not interested in rugby. Get real kid ...

[@tekajikuyalkrul5111]

@@Unborn-Stillborn using population size itself to compare is just stup!d what has that got to do, small pacific island countries have small population yet they produce a lot the best and strongest players regardless, having big money is not all, you can have the biggest guns but still get whacked

[@Unborn-Stillborn]

@@tekajikuyalkrul5111 that's a dumb analogy. The south facific islands have good players but there's no other field game taken seriously in NZ for example. I lived in South Auckland for two years and all I ever saw was rugby and a few white guys playing cricket. Big populations PLAYING the game has a huge impact on success. There's over 20 million South Pacific in America alone. Just look at American football. They're players are bigger, their wingers are faster, etc ... I'm aware it's a different game , but you are seriously nieve if you think all those small South Pacific islands would even be heard of in rugby if the big countries turned their attention to the game. And yes, money does make a huge difference also, just look at how Irish rugby changed once it turned pro. You've welcome to your view, but you clearly don't understand the economics of sports ...

[@abelgerli]

It's time for the US to wake up. American football is boring compared with rugby all the time outs stop the flow of the game. All the protection and big helmets mask the athletics in the game and makes everything slower. But am only a stupid German 😁😎😉

[@JeetKuneDo08]

you calling america trash at rugby?

[@samdalton1413]

yes

[@michaelstevens1380]

Yes

[@RabbitWhiteThe]

Pretty much... Yes

[@e_snn.j]

Yes

[@malcolmmahwire3743]

Yes

[@artast3093]

Minables 👎

[@oldschoolgamer2414]

Rugby is boring. Sorry. Bunch of guys grabbing each other isn't my idea of a fun afternoon.

[@the_SolLoser]

Oh, i thought this was rugby players in the NFL. Nevermind, I'm out.

[@ahx4699]

Lmao kind of like when an NRL player plays union, piss easy.

[@willysnowman]

*SEND MONEY!!! 🦴BONEZPURZ🦴 NEEDS SOAP ON A ROPE!!!* 😃😋😂👅🙌❄🥰😀😄🤣🦴🦴🎉🎉🦴🦴❄❄❄😆👅🙌😋😃😂🤣🥰🥰🙏👏😅🤩😁