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Discussion » Questions » Sports » From open heart surgery in Australia to a Super Bowl ring. Will we see more Australian rugby players in NFL now?
Slartibartfast

From open heart surgery in Australia to a Super Bowl ring. Will we see more Australian rugby players in NFL now?

Jordan Mailata played junior rugby league with Canterbury and South Sydney after having surgery to replace defective valves in his heart as a teenager. He was drafted by Philadelphia a few years ago despite having no American high school or college experience and has just become the first Australian to start, play and win a Super Bowl (the "Monstar" Jesse Williams was on injured reserve with Seattle in 2013, he didn't start. Neither was he a rugby player, and Williams did play American football in college, with the University of Alabama).

Quite a few Australian rules footballers have had success as punters, but Mailata is the first rugby player to play as an offensive lineman and be successful at it. Will it be more common now?

Posted - February 11
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Responses


  • 44732
    Interesting question. I doubt many Americans are that interested. Sorry, mate.
      February 11, 2025 6:54 PM MST
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  • 17010
    I though all of Yankistan was rabid about the SB?
      February 11, 2025 7:01 PM MST
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  • 4166
    Not this Yank.   In fact, if sports weren't such a big deal here, my cable bill would be half the price.  I wouldn't pay ten cents to watch any sport being played.
      February 12, 2025 7:45 AM MST
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  • 17010
    Didn't your home town just win it? Or is your heart still in NY? No biggie, I follow some sports but NFL is one I couldn't get interested I'm. Just the local media made a bit of a thing about an Aussie being in it.
      February 12, 2025 5:38 PM MST
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  • 4166
    Yes, the Eagles won the Super Bowl, but I guess I'm still a NYer at heart since I've only been a Pennsylvanian since the end of July 2024.  in either event, I'm not a sports devotee for either state.
      February 13, 2025 9:00 AM MST
    1