Super Rugby’s Rene Ranger suited for the NFL
Roar Rookie By James31, 24 Jan 2012 James31 is a Roar Rookie
- Tagged:
- Auckland Blues, NFL, Rene Ranger, Rugby Union, Super Rugby
One of my favourite players in rugby would have to be the excitement machine from the Auckland Blues Rene Ranger, the way he drives his legs, pumping them like pistons busting throw tackles using his trade mark Maori side step, straight over the top.
A couple of years ago he almost ran throw the whole Queensland team the same way Jonah Lomu did back in his hey day.
When you see Rene Ranger in person like I have you’ll see he’s built like an American pitbull.
Stocky, low to the ground, but taller then what you think on television, he only looks like 5’8 maybe 5’9 but he’s really 6ft or thereabouts, and I really think he is destined for the NFL if he puts the work in.
When I was watching Ahmad Bradshaw of the New York giants and Frank Gore of the 49ers today I couldn’t help but compare Rene to the two.
Bradshaw is small, but as quick as lightning and slippery like an eel while Gore is a robust running back thick in stature similar to Ranger.
It was easy to see that Rene is playing the wrong game.
With the amount of depth in New Zealand rugby it’s hard to see Ranger ever becoming a frontline All Black.
He couldn’t even get a spot in the All Blacks 2011 World Cup squad, so why wouldn’t he give the NFL a go? With all the polyensian players in the American game I’m sure he would just slot right in.
If it was only that easy the NFL have a strict training regime which would be a lot harder then training with the brothers down at Eden Park. They train for hours on end day and night, what ever it takes to get things right.
The NFL is one of the most ruthless sports to play when it comes to practice I’ve heard of guys vomiting up constantly throw training and made to stay out there soiIf Rene wanted to pursue an NFL career he would have to put the hours in and really want it.
Another reason Rene would find it hard is because NFL clubs don’t like to take players on from another code and for good reason. All of the technical jargon all the complex playss that go with it.
Back when I was young I gave Gridiron a go and played with a mate back in Perth I thought it was going to be easy just like Madden football on Playstation but I’ll tell you what, I had never been so confused in my life.
Getting in the quarterback’s way, giving away penalties, tackling the wrong player, not blocking properly, theres a reason why these guys train hours on end and after my first game I knew why.
Rene is a freak of an athlete and I would love to see him playing in the NFL rather then rugby I think he could be a superstar in America but whether he wants to give up rugby is another thing.
Most Maoris and Islanders in New Zealand don’t play ruggers for the money or the fame but because they love it but I can’t help ponder over the thought of Ranger playing for my team the Washington Redskins.
Go on Ranger, give NFL a go!
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- Explore:
- Auckland Blues, NFL, Rene Ranger, Rugby Union, Super Rugby
January 24th 2012 @ 4:40pm
Luke 20 said | January 24th 2012 @ 4:40pm | Report comment
I think Rene would make a great rugby player and with all the depth in New zealand would they really miss him?
January 24th 2012 @ 4:43pm
Luke 20 said | January 24th 2012 @ 4:43pm | Report comment
sorry i meant rene would make a great nfl player
January 24th 2012 @ 8:05pm
Nick said | January 24th 2012 @ 8:05pm | Report comment
He’s got a court appearance for assault coming up in August….. If convicted I’d say his chances of getting in are pretty slim. But no I don’t think many would miss him, probably he’s more suited to NFL than Rugby anyway.
January 24th 2012 @ 11:41pm
mattamkII said | January 24th 2012 @ 11:41pm | Report comment
if he’s found guilty he’d find it hard to get into the USA let alone living there.
January 25th 2012 @ 4:05am
Matt Manley said | January 25th 2012 @ 4:05am | Report comment
Facing an assault charge? He would fit in PERFECTLY into the NFL!
January 25th 2012 @ 6:33am
roger said | January 25th 2012 @ 6:33am | Report comment
nfl players are overrated, those fat slow linemen obviously don’t go through a rigourous training regime..but ranger would lack the speed and agility to be an effective nfl running back..that’s why little guys make the best running backs, that hole will open up in just a split second..maybe a back-up full back in the canadian league..
January 25th 2012 @ 8:44am
hmschouten said | January 25th 2012 @ 8:44am | Report comment
I’ve heard a couple of Aussie Rulesplayers have successfully made the switch – but no Rugby players. Are there any?
I’ve started to get into the NFL quite a bit this year (got on the Tim Tebow bandwagon) – needed to fill the Rugby off season with something as I’m a little jaded with cricket – and a bit so so with the A-League. Its been great! Looking forward to the Superbowl Monday 6 Feb.
January 25th 2012 @ 9:08am
Danny said | January 25th 2012 @ 9:08am | Report comment
It’s an interesting topic, rugby players and NFL, of course colin Scotts was the first Aussie to play in the NFL and he was an Aussie schoolboy rugby union rep. Thretton Palamo the youngest player ever to go to a rugby world cup, 18 when he played in 2007 for USA has become a college star at the university of Utah. After the world cup he spent 6 months on a trial at Biarritz but didn’t get a contract so he moved back to the states and attended uni of Utah played rugby and was asked to give football a try and after a year became the starting running back and looks as though he may get drafted. This years NFL draft has the potential to see 3 first round draft picks from a rugby background headed by Stephen Paea who may well be a top 10 pick.
January 25th 2012 @ 10:35am
steak said | January 25th 2012 @ 10:35am | Report comment
Why would anyone want such a great player to leave such a great sport. So what if he is NFL calibre. He would run rings about those blokes, but what a waste of talent it would be. Absurd to even suggest such a great student of the game should join the NFL, Rugby Union’s ugly step brother.
January 25th 2012 @ 10:45am
kovana said | January 25th 2012 @ 10:45am | Report comment
If they practice so much… Why do they only play in 30 second intervals with 2 min breaks in between?
January 30th 2012 @ 8:58am
mania said | January 30th 2012 @ 8:58am | Report comment
wow, have any of u guys actually played gridIron? great sport. i’ve never been hit so hard. loved it and fully understood why the pacific islanders love it.
anyway ranger couldnt go to nfl. there is loads to learn. rangers too old. they prefer to grab kids(14-16 y.o.) and nurture them in the game up to varsity ball.
kovana – they play in intervals to keep the body fresh. this isnt about endurance, but more about a sprinting. sure they arent as fit but consider that they have a rest, get their breath back then start again. all tackles and moves are being done at sprint speed. hits are always put in at full speed and the tackler is wearing a full metal helmet. can be real painful if u dont have your wits about u.
those belittling NFL keep in mind that super contracts are a pittance to NFL.