When it comes to sport, the U.S. likes to do things its own way. The rest of the world may like the likes of soccer and cricket, but in the U.S., games like baseball and football dominate the scene.
It’s hard for less-popular sports to gain ground, but rugby, which has a lot in common with football, is starting to see a rise in popularity. And thanks to this, some super American rugby players are emerging, heading overseas and playing in major European leagues.
American Football vs. Rugby
Before we get into the details of the best American rugby players of the moment, let’s first address the difference between rugby and American football. Though rugby may be on the rise stateside, there are still plenty of people wondering what it’s all about.
So, is rugby the same as American football? Not quite. They’ve got some similarities, for sure, in how the ball is handled and the general foundations of the game, but there are distinct differences, too, which you’ll want to know if you plan to watch, play, or bet on rugby games on sites like mostbet-az.life:
- More players on a rugby team – 15 rather than 11.
- Rugby teams can only substitute seven times a game.
- Rugby fields vary in size from one stadium or city to the next.
- Rugby games run for 80 minutes, traditionally. No overtime or extensions.
- In rugby, pretty much every player has to catch, carry, and throw the ball.
Exciting American Rugby Players Playing the Game in 2024
Without further ado, let’s look at some of the most headline-grabbing American rugby players, both male and female, plying their trade around the world in 2024.
Kapeli Pifeleti
One of the only members of the U.S. national rugby team not to play his rugby in the U.S., Kapeli Pifeleti is a hooker and prop with the legendary Saracens of England. He was born in Tonga, a proud rugby-loving nation, but represents the U.S., having lived in San Francisco for much of his life. His dad once captained the Tonga national team.
Ilona Maher
Without doubt one of the most talented American rugby women of the moment, and also a genuine celebrity in her own right–she has more Insta followers than any other rugby player–Ilona Maher is well and truly one to watch. She’s got bags of talent, a huge ceiling, and just earned herself an Olympic bronze medal in Paris.
AJ MacGinty
As the name implies, AJ has Irish roots. He was born in Dublin, in fact, a big rugby-loving city, but moved to New York and made his debut for the U.S. in 2015. Since then, he’s become a cornerstone of the national side, and a top-notch play at league level, with over 100 games played for the Sale Sharks and an ongoing spell at the Bristol Bears.
Ruben de Haas
He’s only 25, so Ruben de Haas has plenty of rugby yet to play. But he’s already making his mark on the scene, having played for the esteemed Saracens of England the Cheetahs of South Africa. He’s totted up 30+ appearances with the USA Eagles, too, and established himself as not exactly a big points scorer, but a steady scrum-half who strengthens any defense.
Dominic Besag
One of the youngest American rugby players on our list, Dominic Besag is only 20, widely-regarded as a bit of a “wonder kid” among rugby experts. He’s already appeared for the U.S. national team, becoming the second-youngest ever debutant. Fast, strong, and with great understanding of the game, he could have a very bright future ahead.
Eti Haungatau
Sporting excellence runs in Eti Haungatau’s family. Her aunt, Joanne Fa’avesi, and her cousin, Folau Niua, are both Olympians, so it’s hardly a surprise that she’s making a name for herself as an exciting young sports star, debuting for the U.S. squad in 2019 and playing with the Sale Sharks in England.
Summing Up: American Rugby Players on the Rise
Pifeleti, Maher, MacGinty – American rugby fans have a lot of big-name players to cheer for at the moment, with even more exciting youngsters on the horizon. In short, there’s rarely been a better team to keep up with U.S. rugby, and the sport is likely to gain more traction in the months and years to come.
