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The point about off-loading is a good one. Also, remember that the game is often a lot more fluid, so that there is more broken-field play (defenders more likely to be off balance and unable to anticipate the direction of play) and these guys don't have the helmet and pads of the NFL.
On the other hand, I'm pretty sure that the "conditioning methods" of the NFL (*cough* *cough*) are more extreme so it would be very hard for a rugby guy to compete. Lomu was a phenomenon, no doubt, but I wonder if even he in his prime could have taken the relentless contact of the NFL.
Anyway, at least rugby players can punt the ball without shanking it. I can't believe what I'm hearing about Mesko -- it should be as rare for a pro punter to shank a punt as it would be for a pro golfer to shank a drive.
On the other hand, I'm pretty sure that the "conditioning methods" of the NFL (*cough* *cough*) are more extreme so it would be very hard for a rugby guy to compete. Lomu was a phenomenon, no doubt, but I wonder if even he in his prime could have taken the relentless contact of the NFL.
Anyway, at least rugby players can punt the ball without shanking it. I can't believe what I'm hearing about Mesko -- it should be as rare for a pro punter to shank a punt as it would be for a pro golfer to shank a drive.