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List of players who have converted from one football code to another

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There are many footballers who have converted from one football code to another at a professional or representative level. In some cases, the player may also return to the original code, so the traffic is not merely one way.

In some countries, such as the United Kingdom, United States, Ireland and Australia, where multiple codes are popular, and the practice of switching codes is relatively common, such players are known as code converts[1] or code hoppers. In Australia, star code converts can have a substantial impact on the games. For instance, Dally Messenger's defection from rugby union to rugby league was considered a pivotal moment in the establishment of the latter over other codes in Australia.[2][3]

Globalisation is increasing the opportunities for players to transfer to different countries and to different professional sports, including the forms of football.

From American football

[edit]

American football to Association football

[edit]
Name Country Top American football level Top Association football level American football debut Association football debut
Boris Shlapak USA NFL
(Baltimore Colts)
NASL
(Chicago Sting)
1972 1975

American football to Australian rules football

[edit]
Name Country Top American football level Top Australian rules level American football debut Australian rules debut
Dwayne Armstrong USA NCAA Division I
(Iowa State)
AFL reserves
(Essendon)
1991 1995
Brandon Kaufman USA NFL
(BuffaloPractice squad)
NEAFL
(Gold Coast)
2013 2016
Jacinda Barclay USA Legends Football League
(Chicago Bliss)
AFL Women's
(Greater Western Sydney)
2016 2017
Richelle Cranston Australia Australia, Gridiron Victoria (Geelong Buccaneers) AFL Women's
(Melbourne)(Geelong)(Western Bulldogs)
2015 2017[4][5][6]

American football to Canadian football

[edit]

American football and Canadian football are very similar gridiron codes; talented Canadian youth players are often recruited by American universities offering scholarships, and conversely the Canadian Football League enforces roster minimums for Canadian-trained players to prevent its clubs from fielding American-dominated teams. The CFL and NFL competed for the same player pool in their earlier years before the CFL settled into a de facto (and from time to time formal) developmental role to its American counterpart. Dozens of professional players move between these codes' top professional leagues every year, making any attempt at a list incomplete at best.

Two quarterbacks in particular became well known in both codes. Warren Moon, a California native who starred at the University of Washington, began his professional career with the Edmonton Eskimos before crossing the border back south to the Houston Oilers and later Minnesota Vikings, earning Hall of Fame recognition in both professional leagues. Doug Flutie, who authored a comeback win for Boston College considered an iconic moment in the history of American college football, began his professional football career in the USFL before moving on to the NFL, then played a long CFL career that led to him being the first non-Canadian honored with induction to Canada's Sports Hall of Fame, before returning to the NFL to close his football career. Dwayne Johnson played college football, and was on practice squad in the Canadian Football League. Ricky Williams played 12 seasons in the National Football League, one season in the Canadian Football League (CFL), and four years of minor league baseball for the Philadelphia Phillies.[7]

American football to rugby league

[edit]
Name Country Top American football level Top rugby league level American football debut Rugby league debut
Manfred Moore USA National Football League
(San Francisco/Tampa Bay/Oakland)
New South Wales Rugby Football League
(Newtown)
1974 1977
Philippe Gardent France NFL
(WashingtonPractice squad)
National League One
(Crusaders)
2006 2008

American football to rugby union

[edit]
Name Country Top American football level Top rugby union level Top representation level American football debut Rugby union debut
Richard Tardits France,
USA
National Football League
(New England)
Top 14
(Biarritz)
USA (15s) 1990 1994
Dan Lyle USA NCAA Division I FCS
(Virginia Military Institute)
English Premiership
(Bath/Leicester)
USA (15s) 1988 1996
Dave Hodges USA NCAA Division III
(Occidental College)
Welsh Premiership
(Llanelli)
USA (15s) 1988 1997
Leonard Peters USA National Football League
(ChicagoPractice squad)
IRB Sevens World Series
(USA)
USA (7s)
USA (15s)
2007 2009
Perry Baker USA National Football League
(CincinnatiInjured reserve)
USA (7s) 2006 2010
Carlin Isles USA National Football League
(DetroitPractice squad)
Pro12
(Glasgow Warriors)
USA (7s) 2013 2014
Nate Ebner USA National Football League
(New England)
Olympics
(USA)
USA (7s) 2012 2016
Jarryd Hayne Australia,
Fiji
National Football League
(San Francisco)
World Rugby Sevens Series
(Fiji)
Fiji (7s) 2015 2016
Paul Lasike New Zealand National Football League
Arizona Cardinals Chicago Bears
Major League Rugby
(Utah Warriors) Premiership Rugby
(Harlequin F.C.)
USA 2015 2018
Psalm Wooching USA & Samoa NCAA Division I college football
(University of Washington, Washington Huskies)
Major League Rugby
(San Diego Legion)
USA 2012 2018

NB:

  • Isles made the Detroit Lions practice squad late in the 2013 season, after having become a sevens international. However, he never appeared in an NFL game, and has since signed a professional contract in 15s.
  • Tardits switched codes twice: to American football as a young adult, and back to rugby union after a brief NFL career. He played for Biarritz Olympique and the France under-21 national team before switching to American football, and played for the USA national team after returning to his original code.

From association football

[edit]

Association football to American football

[edit]

Numerous American football placekickers grew up playing association football (soccer); however, very few have competed at a very high level in their original code. A large number of the first "soccer-style" placekickers of the 1960s, and early 1970s were Europeans and Latin Americans who changed codes in adulthood. Eventually, kickers who changed codes in adulthood were largely, though not completely, displaced by players who were either born and raised in the U.S. or immigrated to the U.S. at a relatively early age, thus receiving more exposure to American football than most of the first soccer-style placekickers.

Most of the women to have played men's American football have crossed over from association football.

Name Country Top association football level Top American football level Top representation level
Phil Alexander England Norwich City F.C. London Monarchs N/A
Clive Allen England Tottenham Hotspur F.C. London Monarchs England national football team
Jesús Angoy Spain FC Barcelona Barcelona Dragons N/A
Obed Ariri Nigeria Chicago Sting, P & T Vasco da Gama Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Washington Redskins, 2 others N/A
Brandon Aubrey USA Toronto FC Dallas Cowboys Pro Bowl (American football)
Chris Bahr USA Philadelphia Atoms Oakland/LA Raiders, 2 others N/A
Matt Bahr USA Colorado Caribous, Tulsa Roughnecks Cleveland Browns, New York Giants, 4 others N/A
Manfred Burgsmüller Germany Borussia Dortmund, Werder Bremen Rhein Fire Germany national football team
Silvio Diliberto Netherlands Sparta, Roda JC, Haarlem, Eindhoven Amsterdam Admirals
Toni Fritsch Austria Rapid Vienna Dallas Cowboys, San Diego Chargers, Houston Oilers, New Orleans Saints Austria national football team (soccer)
Pro Bowl (American football)
Florian Kempf USA Philadelphia Fury Houston Oilers, New Orleans Saints N/A
Axel Kruse GDR,
Germany
Hansa Rostock, Hertha BSC,
Eintracht Frankfurt, VfB Stuttgart
Berlin Thunder East Germany national under-21 football team
(soccer)
Josh Lambo USA FC Dallas San Diego Chargers United States U20 (soccer)
Toni Linhart Austria Wiener Sport-Club New Orleans Saints, Baltimore Colts, New York Jets Austria national football team
Pro Bowl (American football)
Tony Meola USA MetroStars, Kansas City Wizards New York Jets (didn't pass tryouts) US National Team (soccer)
Horst Mühlmann Germany FC Schalke 04, Bonner SC, Kansas City Spurs Cincinnati Bengals, Philadelphia Eagles N/A
Neil O'Donoghue Ireland Shamrock Rovers Buffalo Bills, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, St. Louis Cardinals N/A
Derek Smethurst South Africa Chelsea, Millwall, Tampa Bay Rowdies Tampa Bay Buccaneers (cut due to injury) N/A (due to apartheid, RSA banned from FIFA, 1964–91)
Liz Heaston USA Willamette Bearcats Willamette Bearcats First female to play college football
Ashley Martin USA Jacksonville State Gamecocks Jacksonville State Gamecocks First female to play NCAA football
Devin Barclay USA MLS Ohio State Buckeyes football N/A
Jon Brown USA Louisville Cardinals men's soccer Louisville Cardinals football United States men's national under-17 soccer team
Julie Harshbarger USA Rockford College, Benedictine University Chicago Pythons First female to score a field goal in professional football

Association football to Australian rules football

[edit]

Following the establishment of AFL Women's in 2016 (the first professional women's Australian rules football competition), several A-League Women players switched codes as they could augment their earnings in the off-season. Foot skills are advantageous in switching between these codes and goalkeepers have an advantage in marking and ball handling.

Name Country Top association football level Top Australian rules level Top representation level Association Football debut Australian rules debut
Catherine Brown Australia Canberra United (W-League) Hawthorn (AFL Women's) N/A 2012 2022
Jessica Waterhouse Australia U17 Adelaide United (W-League) Adelaide (AFL Women's) N/A 2012 2022
Lulu Pullar Australia Brisbane Roar (W-League) Brisbane (AFL Women's) N/A 2017 2022
Angelique Stannett New Zealand Perth Glory (W-League) Fremantle (AFL Women's) N/A 2015 2019
Marijana Rajcic Australia Adelaide United (W-League) Adelaide (AFL Women's) N/A 2009 2018
Emma Pittman Australia Brisbane Roar (W-League) Brisbane/Gold Coast (AFL Women's) N/A 2012 2018
Evangeline Gooch Australia Perth Glory (W-League) Fremantle West Coast (AFL Women's) N/A 2015 2017
Ellie Brush Australia Canberra United (W-League) Greater Western Sydney (AFL Women's) Australia (soccer) 2008 2017
Brianna Davey Australia Melbourne Victory (W-League)
Melbourne City (W-League)
Carlton (AFL Women's) Australia (soccer) 2010 2017
Jenna McCormick Australia Adelaide United (W-League)
Canberra United (W-League)
Adelaide (AFL Women's) Australia (soccer) 2012 2017
Kristi Harvey Australia Adelaide United (W-League) Carlton (VFL Women's) N/A 2009 2017
Peter Halstead New Zealand Team Wellington (New Zealand Football Championship) Wellington Australian Football League (AFL New Zealand) New Zealand (AR) 2007 2016
Broc McCauley Australia Queensland Roar (Brisbane Premier League) Brisbane Lions/Hawthorn Football Club (AFL) N/A 2006 2007
Joanne Butland Australia Canberra Eclipse/QAS Sting (Women's National Soccer League) AFL Cairns Australia (soccer)
Australia (International rules)
1999 2003
Brad Green Australia Launceston United SC (Northern Championship) Melbourne (AFL) N/A (International rules captain) 1996 2000

Association football to Gaelic football

[edit]
Name Country Top association football level Top Gaelic football level Top representation level Playing era
Ciarán Lyng Ireland Preston North End F.C., Shrewsbury Town F.C., Ireland underage teams Wexford senior football team 2000s
Shane Supple Ireland Ipswich Town F.C., Falkirk F.C. Dublin senior football team 2000s
Anthony Tohill Ireland Derry City F.C., Manchester United F.C. Reserves Derry senior football team 1990s, 2000s

Association football to rugby league

[edit]
Name Country Top association football level Top rugby league level Top representation level Playing era
Ted Bateson England Blackburn Rovers Wakefield Trinity none 1920s
Albert Brough England Barrow A.F.C. Oldham Great Britain (RL) 1920s

Bill Riches signed for Hull City in 1938 and played a number of wartime matches as a centre half. Following the war he played for Batley and Hull FC at rugby league. He was also capped many times for the Yorkshire representative team. He retired in 1956.

Association football to rugby union

[edit]

From Australian rules football

[edit]

Australian rules football to American football

[edit]

Notably, the specialist role of punter in American football requires similar skills to those found in Australian football players.

Former Australian rules footballer Pat O'Dea was regarded as one of American football's finest punters
Name Country Top Australian rules level Top American football level Australian rules debut American football debut
Pat O'Dea Australia Victoria, Victorian Football Association
(Melbourne)
College football
(Wisconsin–Madison)
1893 1896
Colin Ridgeway Australia Victorian Football League reserves
(Carlton)
National Football League
(Dallas)
1960s 1965
Darren Bennett Australia Australian Football League
(West Coast/Melbourne)
National Football League
(San Diego/Minnesota)
1982 1995
Nathan Chapman Australia Australian Football League
(Brisbane/Hawthorn)
National Football League
(Green Bay)
1992 2004
Ben Graham Australia Australian Football League
(Geelong)
National Football League
(New York/New Orleans/Arizona/Detroit)
1992 2005
Saverio Rocca Australia Australian Football League
(Collingwood/North Melbourne)
National Football League
(Philadelphia/Washington)
1992 2007
Chris Bryan Australia Australian Football League
(Carlton/Collingwood)
National Football League
(Green Bay/Tampa Bay/New York)
2005 2010
Scott Harding Australia Australian Football League
(Brisbane/Port Adelaide)
NCAA Division I
(Hawaii)
2006 2011
Joel Wilkinson Australia Australian Football League
(Gold Coast)
National Football League
(ArizonaPractice squad)
2011 2016
Eric Wallace United States Victorian Football League
(North Ballarat/Werribee)
National Football League
(CarolinaPractice squad)
2013 2016
Lac Edwards Australia Victorian Football League
(North Ballarat)
National Football League
(New York)
2011 2016
Jacinda Barclay Australia West Australian Women's Football League
(Swan Districts)
Legends Football League
(Chicago Bliss)
2016 2017
Cameron Johnston Australia Victorian Football League
(Casey)
National Football League
(Philadelphia)
2011 2018
Michael Dickson Australia North East Australian Football League
(Sydney Swans Reserves)
National Football League
(Seattle)
2014 2018
Ben Griffiths Australia Australian Football League
(Richmond)
NCAA Division I
(University of Southern California)
2010 2019
Ben Lennon Australia Australian Football League
(Richmond)
NCAA Division I
(University of Utah)
2014 2019
Arryn Siposs Australia Australian Football League
(St Kilda)
National Football League
(Detroit Lions)
2011 2018
Max Duffy Australia Australian Football League
(Fremantle)
NCAA Division I
(University of Kentucky)
2013 2018
Richelle Cranston New Zealand/Australia AFL Women's
(Melbourne)(Geelong)(Western Bulldogs)
Australian national women's team, Gridiron Victoria (Geelong Buccaneers) 2012 2015[4][5][6]
Patrick Murtagh Australia Victorian Football League
(Gold Coast)
National Football League
(Jacksonville Jaguars)
2021 2024

Australian rules football to association football

[edit]

International rules participation provides experience with the round ball and goalkeeping.

As well as the players below, players known to have played amateur level soccer after retiring from the AFL include Gary Ablett, James Hird, Gavin Wanganeen,[10] Glenn Manton and Ang Christou.

Name Country Top Australian rules level Top association football level Top representation level Australian rules debut Association football debut
Peter Bevilaqua Australia Victorian Football League
(Carlton)
Victorian Premier League
(Brunswick Juventus)
N/A 1953 1954
Fred Agius Australia South Australian National Football League
(Central Districts)
National Soccer League
(Adelaide United)
Olyroos (Soccer) 2003 2003
Angelo Lekkas Australia Australian Football League
(Hawthorn)
Victorian Premier League
(South Melbourne)
Victoria (AR)
Australia (Inter-rules)
1993 2005

Australian rules football to Canadian football

[edit]

Notably, the specialist role of punter in Canadian football requires similar skills to those found in Australian football players.

Name Country Top Australian rules level Top Canadian football level Australian rules debut Canadian football debut
Josh Bartel[11] Australia Ovens & Murray Football League
(Wodonga)
Canadian Football League
(Hamilton/Saskatchewan)
2012

Australian rules football to Gaelic football

[edit]
Tadhg Kennelly reached the highest level in Australian rules football then Gaelic Football, AFL Premiership medallion and a Senior All-Ireland Championship medal, the highest possible team player achievement in both sports.

Some players involved in the Irish Experiment to play professional Australian rules football returned to Ireland and went on to be notable in senior level Gaelic football. Such players have included:

Name Country Top Australian rules level Top Gaelic football level Top representation level Australian rules debut Gaelic football debut
Paul Earley Ireland Victorian Football League
(Melbourne)
Gaelic Athletic Association
(Roscommon)
Ireland (Inter-rules) 1984 1985
Dermot McNicholl Ireland Victorian Football League
(St Kilda)
Gaelic Athletic Association
(Derry)
Ireland (Inter-rules) 1989 1991
Anthony Tohill Ireland Australian Football League reserves
(Melbourne)
Gaelic Athletic Association
(Derry)
Ireland (Inter-rules) 1990 1991
Brian Stynes Ireland Australian Football League
(Melbourne)
Gaelic Athletic Association
(Dublin)
Ireland (Inter-rules)
Ireland (AR)
1992 1995
Tadhg Kennelly Ireland Australian Football League
(Sydney)
Gaelic Athletic Association
(Kerry)
Ireland (Inter-rules) 2001 2009
Conor McKenna Ireland Australian Football League
(Essendon)
Gaelic Athletic Association
(Tyrone)
Ireland (Inter-rules) 2015 2021

Australian rules football to rugby league

[edit]

Early in the history of the two codes in Australia, players would interchange the codes and even had discussions of merging them into a single game.[12] Rugby league has since evolved to specialise in physicality and body type making it more difficult for successful conversion between the two, although it does sometimes happen at junior level, particularly in areas where both codes are played (such as the Riverina region). Though the modern specialist fullback and wing positions in rugby league can be suitable for the body type and skill of some Australian rules players. League players Darren Lockyer,[13] Glenn Lazarus,[14] Greg Brentnall,[15] Chris Kinna,[16] Eric McCormack,[17] Laurie Daley,[18] Bradley Clyde,[19] Kevin Proctor,[20] Matt Duffie,[21] Shaun Johnson,[22] Tom Trbojevic,[23][24] Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow,[25] William Warbrick,[26] Kalyn Ponga[27] and Corey Horsburgh[28] all played Aussie Rules at a junior level.

Name Country Top Australian rules level Top rugby league level Top representation level Australian rules debut Rugby league debut
Eric Frauenfelder Australia OMFL (Albury) QRL (Past Brothers) New South Wales (AR)[29]
Queensland (RL)[30]
1918 1921
Jimmy Stiff Australia NSWAFA (South Sydney) NSWRL (South Sydney) New South Wales (AR) 1925 1935[31]
Barry Spring Australia Queensland Australian National Football League
(Mayne)
Brisbane Rugby League
(Northern Suburbs)
Queensland (AR) 1969[32]
Ray Smith Australia Queensland Australian National Football League
(Western Districts)
Brisbane Rugby League
(Fortitude Valley)
Queensland (AR) 1963 1970
Greg Brentnall Australia Riverina Football League
(Turvey Park)
New South Wales Rugby League
(Canterbury-Bankstown)
New South Wales U18 (AR)
Australia (RL)
1960s 1974[15]
Adrian Barich Australia Australian Football League
(West Coast)
Australian Rugby League reserves
(Western Reds)
New South Wales (AR)
Western Australia (AR)
1987 1995
Rhan Hooper Australia Australian Football League
(Brisbane Lions)
Queensland Rugby League
(Ipswich Jets)
2006 2012[33]
Josh Hall Australia Australian Football League
(Gold Coast)
New South Wales Cup
(Penrith)
2012 2016
Shem Tatupu New Zealand Victorian Football League
(Box Hill/Hawthorn)
National Rugby League
(Melbourne Storm)
New Zealand (AR) 2014 -
Haneen Zreika Australia AFLW
(GWS Giants)
NSWRL Women's Premiership
(Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs/South Sydney Rabbitohs)
2018 2019[34]
Brooke Walker Australia AFLW
(Carlton)
NRLW
(Parramatta Eels)
Victoria (RL) 2019 2020
Paige Parker Australia AFLW
(Brisbane Lions, Gold Coast Suns)
NRLW
(Newcastle Knights)
2019 2021
Tori Groves-Little Australia AFLW
(Gold Coast Suns)
QRL Women's Premiership
(Souths Logan Magpies)
2019 2024[35]

Australian rules football to rugby union

[edit]
Karmichael Hunt in the AFL, who shocked fans of rugby league, Australian rules and rugby union with a highly successful 3-way code switch

Jason Akermanis was the first professional Australian football player to suggest a switch to rugby union.[36] Nevertheless, there are still some positions and roles that have commonalities.[37] Also at amateur level, conversion is quite common, as in the case of many start-up Australian rules clubs in countries such as France[38] and countries such as New Zealand, Samoa and Papua New Guinea where there are dual-internationals at junior level.

Name Country Top Australian rules level Top rugby union level Top representation level Australian rules debut Rugby union debut
George Coulthard Australia Victorian Football Association
(Carlton)
Waratah (NSWRU) Victoria (AR) 1874 1877
George Henry Pritchard Australia Queensland Football Association
(Brisbane)
Queensland Football Association
(Brisbane)
Queensland (AR), Queensland (RU) 1876 1877
Alec Boswell Timms Australia
Scotland
Victorian Football Association
(Geelong)
Edinburgh University[39][40] Scotland (RU)
British Isles (RU)
1892 1896
Ray Millington Australia Victorian Football League
(Fitzroy)
Shute Shield
(Randwick DRUFC)
1952 1954[41]
Nick Evans New Zealand New Zealand
(Under 21)
Super 12
(Highlanders)
New Zealand (AR)
New Zealand (RU)
2001 2004
Rambo Tavana Samoa AFL International Cup
(Samoa Bulldogs)
Top 14
(SU Agen)
Samoa (AR)
Samoa (RU)
2002 2006
Mikaele Pesamino Samoa AFL International Cup
(Samoa Bulldogs)
National Provincial Championship
(Auckland)
Samoa (AR)
Samoa (RU/7s)
2002 2007
Israel Folau Australia Australian Football League
(Greater Western Sydney)
Super Rugby
(New South Wales)
Australia (RU) 2011 2013
Stanis Susuve Papua New Guinea Victorian Football League
(Gold Coast)
World Rugby Sevens Series
(Papua New Guinea (Pukpuks))
Papua New Guinea (AR)
Papua New Guinea (RU/7s)
2009 2014
Karmichael Hunt Australia Australian Football League
(Gold Coast)
Super Rugby
(Queensland)
Australia (RU) 2011 2015
Sam Dickson New Zealand New Zealand New Zealand (7s) 2016 Summer Olympics New Zealand (AR)
New Zealand (7s)
2011 2016[42]
Yoshi Harris Nauru Australian Football League
(GWS)
Nauru (7s) Nauru (AR),
Nauru (7s)
2012 2019
William Warbrick New Zealand New Zealand New Zealand (7s) (Olympics) New Zealand (AR)
New Zealand (7s)
2012 2019
Kurt Heatherley New Zealand Australian Football League
(Hawthorn)
National Provincial Championship(Auckland)/RFU Championship
Jersey Reds)
New Zealand (AR) 2014 2019
Maddison Levi Australia AFLW
(Gold Coast)
Australia (7s) (Olympics)
Women's Uni 7s Series
(Bond University)
Australia (7s) 2021 2021

From Canadian football

[edit]

Canadian football to American football

[edit]

As discussed above, Canadian and American football are highly similar gridiron codes. Dozens if not hundreds of players and coaches move back and forth between Canadian and American codes every season and occasionally even within a season, making assembling a list of these players an impossible and largely immaterial task.

From Gaelic football

[edit]

Gaelic football is especially vulnerable to code-switching, for reasons outlined by rugby union journalist Hugh Farrelly in 2009:

The parochialism that is the GAA's greatest strength (every village in Ireland has a local team) is also its Achilles heel for, with no viable international outlet, the Association is vulnerable to other sports. Furthermore, a strict adherence to its amateur code means talented youngsters can be lured away from the game they grew up with... by the prospect of pay for play....[43]

Gaelic football to association football

[edit]
Name Country Top Gaelic football level Top association football level Top representation level
Jack Kirwan Ireland All-Ireland Championship winner with Dublin FA Cup winner with Tottenham Hotspur F.C. Ireland
Val Harris Ireland All-Ireland Championship winner with Dublin League of Ireland winner and Irish Cup winner with Shelbourne F.C.;
Football League First Division with Everton F.C.
Ireland,
Irish Free State
Con Martin Ireland Leinster Championship winner with Dublin Football League First Division with Leeds United A.F.C. and Aston Villa F.C. Ireland (FAI),
Ireland (IFA)
Martin O'Neill Northern Ireland Derry minor team Football League First Division winner and European Cup winner with Nottingham Forest. Former manager of the Republic of Ireland national football team Northern Ireland
Kevin Moran Ireland All-Ireland Championship winner with Dublin Football League First Division with Manchester United F.C. Republic of Ireland
Niall Quinn Ireland Dublin minor team Premiership with Arsenal F.C., Manchester City F.C. and Sunderland A.F.C. Republic of Ireland
Neil Lennon Northern Ireland Armagh minor team Scottish Premier League winner with Celtic F.C. Northern Ireland
Kevin Doyle Ireland Wexford minor team Premiership with Reading F.C. and Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. Republic of Ireland
Shane Long Ireland Tipperary minor team Premiership with Reading F.C., West Bromwich Albion F.C, Hull City A.F.C. and Southampton F.C. Republic of Ireland
Cillian Sheridan Ireland Cavan minor team UEFA Champions League with APOEL F.C. Republic of Ireland
Niall McGinn Northern Ireland Tyrone U-21s[44] Scored for Northern Ireland at UEFA Euro 2016[45] Northern Ireland
Michael O'Neill Northern Ireland Antrim minor team Current manager of the Northern Ireland national football team Northern Ireland

Ladies' Gaelic football to association football

[edit]

Several ladies Gaelic footballers, including All-Ireland finalists, Niamh Fahey and Sarah Rowe, have gone on to represent the Republic of Ireland women's national association football team.[46]

Numerous ladies Gaelic footballers have played women's association football at a senior level. Some, including All-Ireland finalists Niamh Fahey and Sarah Rowe, have gone on to play for the Republic of Ireland women's national football team. [46]

Player Gaelic football Association football
Amber Barrett Donegal Republic of Ireland
Megan Connolly Cork (Note 1) Republic of Ireland
Marie Curtin Limerick Republic of Ireland
Niamh Fahey [46] Galway Republic of Ireland
Dora Gorman Galway Republic of Ireland
Ciara Grant Donegal Republic of Ireland
Una Harkin Derry Northern Ireland
Siobhán Killeen Dublin Republic of Ireland
Kirsty McGuinness Antrim Northern Ireland
Valerie Mulcahy Cork Republic of Ireland (Note 2)
Sarah Rowe [46] Mayo Republic of Ireland
Julie-Ann Russell Galway Republic of Ireland
Nora Stapleton Donegal UCD
Cora Staunton Mayo Mayo Ladies League
Hannah Tyrrell Dublin St Catherine's/Shamrock Rovers
Notes


Gaelic football to Australian rules football

[edit]
Statue of Jim Stynes, the most decorated player to switch from Gaelic football to Australian Rules

These two codes share many similarities, making switching between them relatively easy. International rules representation for players of both codes is common. The Gaelic Athletic Association prohibits professionalism, meaning that there is a financial lure for players to compete in the professional elite Aussie Rules competitions in Australia.[47]

Name Country Top Gaelic level Top Australian rules level Top representation level Gaelic football debut Australian rules debut
Sean Wight Ireland[48] Kerry minor (Under-18) AFL NA 1982 1985
Paul Earley Ireland Gaelic Athletic Association AFL NA 1982 1984
Dermot McNicholl Ireland Derry All-Ireland winner 1993 AFL NA 1980 1990
Brian Stynes Ireland Dublin All-Ireland winner 1995 AFL Ireland (Inter-rules)
Ireland (AR)
198? 1992
Jim Stynes Ireland Dublin All-Ireland (Minor) winner 1994 AFL
(Brownlow Medallist)
Ireland (Inter-rules) 1984 1987
Tadhg Kennelly Ireland Kerry All-Ireland winner 2009 AFL premiership 2005 Ireland (Inter-rules) 2001
Colm Begley Ireland Laois GAA AFL Ireland (Inter-rules) 2006
Martin Clarke Ireland Down All-Ireland (Minor) winner 2005 AFL Ireland (Inter-rules) 2005
Pearce Hanley Ireland Mayo GAA AFL Ireland (Inter-rules) 2008
Michael Quinn Ireland Gaelic Athletic Association AFL N/A 2009
Kevin Dyas Ireland Armagh GAA AFL N/A 2009
Jamie O'Reilly Ireland Down GAA AFL N/A 2010
Zach Tuohy Ireland Laois GAA AFL premiership 2022 Ireland (Inter-rules) 2011
Caolan Mooney Ireland Down GAA AFL N/A 2012
Tommy Walsh Ireland Kerry All-Ireland winner 2007 & 2009 AFL Ireland (Inter-rules) 2012
Ciarán Byrne Ireland Louth GAA AFL Ireland (Inter-rules) 2014
Patrick Brophy Ireland Kildare GAA AFL Ireland (Inter-rules) 2015
Conor McKenna Ireland Tyrone GAA AFL Ireland (Inter-rules) 2015
Mark O'Connor Ireland Kerry All-Ireland minor winner 2015 & 2016 AFL N/A 2017

Ladies' Gaelic football to Australian rules football

[edit]
Currently on an AFL senior list
Ladies' Gaelic football players in the AFLW
Player Gaelic football AFLW team AFLW debut Notes
Yvonne Bonner Donegal Greater Western Sydney 2019
Ailish Considine Clare Adelaide 2019
Joanne Doonan Fermanagh Carlton 2020
Laura Duryea Cavan Melbourne 2017 First Irish player to play in AFLW. First AFLW player to represent Ireland in Australian rules.
Clara Fitzpatrick Down St Kilda 2020
Kate Flood Louth Fremantle 2019
Aileen Gilroy Mayo North Melbourne 2020
Sinéad Goldrick Dublin Melbourne 2020
Katy Herron Donegal Western Bulldogs 2020
Grace Kelly Mayo West Coast 2020
Niamh Kelly Mayo West Coast 2020
Aisling McCarthy Tipperary Western Bulldogs 2019
Niamh McEvoy Dublin Melbourne 2020
Orla O'Dwyer Tipperary Brisbane 2020
Sarah Rowe Mayo Collingwood 2019
Aishling Sheridan Mayo Collingwood 2019
Mairéad Seoighe Galway North Melbourne
Bríd Stack Cork Greater Western Sydney 2021
Cora Staunton Mayo Greater Western Sydney 2018 First Irish player actively recruited to AFLW[49][50][51]
Áine Tighe Leitrim Fremantle
Bree White London Collingwood 2017

Source:[52][53]


Gaelic football to rugby league

[edit]
Name Country Top Gaelic football level Top rugby league level Top representation level Gaelic football debut Rugby league debut
Brian Carney Ireland Gaelic Athletic Association
(Valleymount)
Super League
(Gateshead/Hull/Wigan)
Ireland (RL)
Great Britain (RL)
1998 1999

Gaelic football to rugby union

[edit]

Up until the mid-1990s, both codes were officially amateur. However, the professionalisation of rugby union has provided a financial lure.

Name Country Top Gaelic football level Top rugby union level Top representation level Playing era
Dick Spring Ireland Kerry senior team Munster, London Irish Ireland 1960s, 1970s
Moss Keane Ireland UCC GAA, Kerry under-21 team Munster Ireland, British and Irish Lions 1970s, 1980s
David Beggy Ireland Meath senior team Leinster N/A 1980s, 1990s
Brian Rigney Ireland Local Team, Laois Leinster Ireland 1980s, 1990s
Mick Galwey Ireland Kerry senior team Munster Ireland 1980s, 1990s, 2000s,
Brian Carney Ireland Valleymount junior team Munster Ireland 1990s, 2000s
Shane Byrne Ireland Aughrim minor team Leinster, Saracens Ireland, British and Irish Lions 1990s, 2000s
Geordan Murphy Ireland Kildare minor team Leicester Tigers Ireland, British and Irish Lions 1990s, 2000s, 2010s
Shane Horgan Ireland Meath minor team Leinster Ireland, British and Irish Lions 1990s, 2000s, 2010s
Gavin Duffy Ireland Mayo minor team Connacht, NEC Harlequins Ireland 1990s, 2000s, 2010s
Tomás O'Leary Ireland Cork minor team Munster, London Irish Ireland 2000s, 2010s
Tommy Bowe Ireland Monaghan minor team Ulster, Ospreys Ireland, British and Irish Lions 2000s, 2010s
Rob Kearney Ireland Louth minor team Leinster Ireland, British and Irish Lions 2000s, 2010s
Robbie Henshaw Ireland Westmeath minor team Connacht, Leinster Ireland, British and Irish Lions 2010s
Tiernan O'Halloran Ireland Galway minor team Connacht Ireland 2010s

NB: Byrne and Duffy both changed codes twice. Each first switched to rugby union as a teenager, then returned to Gaelic football after a long professional rugby career. This entry discusses their Gaelic football careers before their first code switch.

Ladies' Gaelic football to rugby union

[edit]

Lindsay Peat played for Dublin in the 2009, 2010 and 2014 All-Ireland finals before playing for Ireland in the 2017 Women's Rugby World Cup. The Ireland squad featured at least six other former ladies' inter-county footballersNiamh Briggs, Claire Molloy, Cliodhna Moloney, Katie Fitzhenry, Nora Stapleton and Hannah Tyrrell.[46][54]

Lindsay Peat played for Dublin in the 2009, 2010 and 2014 All-Ireland finals before playing for Ireland in the 2017 Women's Rugby World Cup. The Ireland squad featured at least six other former ladies' inter-county footballers – Niamh Briggs, Claire Molloy, Cliodhna Moloney, Katie Fitzhenry, Nora Stapleton and Hannah Tyrrell. [46][54]

Player Gaelic football Rugby union
Niamh Briggs Waterford Ireland
Katie Fitzhenry Wexford Ireland
Claire Molloy Galway Ireland
Cliodhna Moloney Galway Ireland
Lindsay Peat Dublin Ireland
Nora Stapleton Donegal Ireland
Hannah Tyrrell Dublin Ireland

Source:[46][54]


From rugby league

[edit]

Rugby league to American football

[edit]
Jarryd Hayne, former rugby league great, playing for the San Francisco 49ers during his successful conversion to American Football

On 3 March 2015 Jarryd Hayne became the first rugby league player (that hadn't already played in the NFL) to sign a contract with a National Football League team.[55]

Name Country Top rugby league level Top American football level Top representation level Rugby league debut American football debut
Manfred Moore USA New South Wales Rugby League
(Newtown)
National Football League
(Minnesota)
N/A 1977 1978
Jarryd Hayne Australia National Rugby League
(Parramatta)
National Football League
(San Francisco)
Australia (RL)
Fiji (RL)
2006 2015
Jordan Mailata Australia National Youth Competition
(South Sydney)
National Football League
(Philadelphia)
N/A 2017 2018
Valentine Holmes Australia National Rugby League
(Cronulla)
National Football League
(New York)
Australia (RL) 2014 2019

Rugby league to association football

[edit]
Name Country Top rugby league level Top association football level Top representation level Playing era
Albert Brough England Barrow Barrow A.F.C. 1920s

Rugby league to Australian rules football

[edit]

In addition to the senior players listed below numerous schoolboy rugby league players have made a transition to success at senior Australian rules, including Wayne Carey,[56] Paul Kelly,[57] Kieren Jack,[58] Andrew McLeod,[59] Jared Brennan,[59] Matthew Whelan,[59] and Sam Gilbert.[60]

Name Country Top rugby league level Top Australian rules level Top representation level Rugby league debut Australian rules debut
Ray Smith[61] Australia Brisbane Rugby League
(Fortitude Valley)
Victorian Football League[62]
(Essendon/Melbourne)
Queensland (RL)
Queensland (AR)
1970 1971
Joe Buboi[63][64] Papua New Guinea Kumuls (captain) Papua New Guinea Papua New Guinea national rugby league team (RL) (captain)
Papua New Guinea (AR) (captain)
1970 1973
Michael McLean[59] Australia Northern Territory Rugby League
(Nightcliff Dragons)
Australian Football League
(Footscray/Brisbane)
Aboriginal All-Stars (AR) 1980 1983
Fabian Francis Australia Northern Territory Rugby League
(Litchfield)
Australian Football League
(Melbourne/Brisbane/Port Adelaide)
Northern Territory (RL)
Aboriginal All-Stars (AR)
1992 1993
Andriu Sucu New Zealand Auckland Rugby League
(Northcote)
New Zealand New Zealand (AR) 2000 2005
Israel Folau Australia National Rugby League
(Melbourne/Brisbane)
Australian Football League
(Greater Western Sydney)
Australia (RL) 2007 2010
Ben Barba[65] Australia National Rugby League
(Canterbury/Brisbane/Cronulla)
AFL Mackay
(Eastern Mackay) / North Queensland
Australia (RL) 2008 2020
Tom Robertson[66] Australia Jersey Flegg Cup
(Canberra Raiders)
AFL Canberra
(Eastlake)
2020 2021

Rugby league to rugby union

[edit]

While the traffic used to be almost entirely from rugby union to rugby league, the tide has now turned the other way, and numerous rugby league players have gone over to union, since the game was professionalised.

Name Country Top rugby league level Top rugby union level Top representation level Rugby league debut Rugby union debut
Ben Barba Australia National Rugby League Top 14 Australia (RL) 2008 2017
Josh Charnley England Super League Premiership Rugby England (RL) 2010 2016
Sam Burgess England National Rugby League, Super League Premiership Rugby England (RL), Great Brittan (RL), NRL All-Stars (RL), England (RU) 2006 2014
Reece Robinson Lebanon, Australia National Rugby League Super Rugby Lebanon (RL), Indigenous All-Stars (RL) 2008 2016
Matt Duffie New Zealand National Rugby League Super Rugby New Zealand (RL), New Zealand (RU) 2010 2016
Karmichael Hunt New Zealand, Australia National Rugby League Top 14, Super Rugby Australia (RL), Australia (RU) 2004 2009
Chris Ashton England Super League English Premiership England (RL), England (RU) 2005 2007
Lee Smith England Super League English Premiership England (RL), Great Britain (RL) 2005 2009
Berrick Barnes Australia NRL Super Rugby Australia (RU) 2005 2006
Nathan Blacklock Australia NRL/Super League Super 12 Australia (RL) 1995 2003
Willie Carne Australia NRL Super Rugby Australia (RL) 1990 1997
Brian Carney Ireland Super League/NRL Celtic League Great Britain (RL), Ireland (RU) 1999 2007
Ryan Cross Australia NRL Super Rugby Australia (RU) 1998 2007
Andy Farrell England Super League English Premiership Great Britain (RL), England (RU) 1991 2005
Paul Franze Australia NRL English Premiership Australia (RL) 2002 2006
Iestyn Harris Wales Super League Heineken Cup, Celtic League Great Britain (RL), Wales (RU) 1993 2001
Sam Harris Australia NRL Super Rugby Australian Schoolboys (RU), City v. Country (RL) 2003 2007
Wise Kativerata Australia NRL Shute Shield Australia Sevens (RU) 2001 2004
Ben MacDougall Australia NRL Celtic League Scotland (RU) 1998 2006
Stephen Myler England Super League English Premiership England Saxons (RU) 2001 2006
Henry Paul New Zealand NRL English Premiership New Zealand (RL), England (RU) 1993 2001
Jason Robinson England Super League English Premiership Great Britain (RL), England (RU), British & Irish Lions (RU) 1991 1996
Mat Rogers Australia NRL Super Rugby Australia (RL/RU) 1995 2002
Wendell Sailor Australia NRL Super Rugby Australia (RL/RU) 1993 2002
Clinton Schifcofske Australia NRL/Super League Super Rugby State of Origin (RL), Australia A (RU) 1996 2006
Timana Tahu Australia NRL Super Rugby Australia (RL/RU) 1999 2008
Alan Tait Scotland Super League Celtic League Scotland (RL/RU), Great Britain (RL), British & Irish Lions (RU) 1988 1996
Brad Thorn Australia NRL Super Rugby Australia (RL), New Zealand (RU) 1994 2001
Lote Tuqiri Australia NRL Super Rugby Australia (RL/RU), Fiji (RL) 1999 2003
Lesley Vainikolo England NRL, Super League English Premiership New Zealand (RL), England (RU) 2002 2007
Andrew Walker Australia NRL Super Rugby Australia (RL/RU) 1991 2000
Chev Walker England Super League English Premiership Great Britain (RL), England Saxons (RU) 1999 2007
Barrie-Jon Mather England RFL Championship/Super League England RU Great Britain (RL), England (RL), England (RU)[67] 1992 1998
Sonny Bill Williams New Zealand NRL Top 14, Super Rugby New Zealand (RL), New Zealand (RU) 2004 2008
Craig Wing Australia NRL Top League Australian Kangaroos (RL), Japan (RU) 2002 2010
Craig Gower Australia NRL Top 14 Australian Kangaroos (RL), Italy (RU) 1996 2008
Mark Gasnier Australia NRL Top 14 Australian Kangaroos (RL) 2000 2008
Shontayne Hape New Zealand NRL, Super League English Premiership New Zealand Kiwis (RL), England (RU) 2003 2008
Fabrice Estebanez France Super League Top 14 France (RL), France (RU) 2005 2010
Tasesa Lavea New Zealand NRL Super rugby, Top 14 New Zealand Kiwis (RL), Samoa (RU) 2000 2010
Cooper Vuna New Zealand NRL Super rugby Tonga (RL), Australia (RU), Tonga (RU) 2008 2012
Setaimata Sa New Zealand, Samoa NRL, Super League English Premiership New Zealand Kiwis (RL), Samoa (RL), Samoa (RU) 2008 2012
Peter Ryan Australia NRL Super Rugby Queensland (RL) 1989 2000
Jarrod Saffy Australia NRL Super Rugby Australia Sevens (RU) 2006 2011

From rugby union

[edit]

Rugby union to American football

[edit]

Rugby union and American football share the same origins, but have evolved into very different games. Both are very physical and require similar body types with high speed and strength.[68]

Name Country Top rugby union level Top American football level Top representation level Playing era
Colin Scotts Australia Australian schoolboys NFL, St. Louis Cardinals Australia 1980s
Steve Tasker United States Northwestern University NFL, Buffalo Bills Pro Bowl 1985–1997
Gavin Hastings Scotland International WLAF Scotland/British Lions 1990s
Gary Parker Scotland Club (Melrose RFC) WLAF N/A 1980s/90s
Gary Anderson South Africa Brettonwood High School, Durban, South Africa NFL, Pittsburgh Steelers, Philadelphia Eagles, San Francisco 49ers, Minnesota Vikings, Tennessee Titans N/A 1982–2004
Richard Tardits France,
later USA
Biarritz Olympique, USA NFL, Arizona Cardinals, New England Patriots USA Rugby 1980s/90s
David Dixon New Zealand New Zealand under-19 NFL, Minnesota Vikings New Zealand 1994–2004
Haloti Ngata United States Highland High School, Salt Lake City, Utah NFL, Baltimore Ravens N/A 2006–2018
Stewart Bradley United States Highland High School, Salt Lake City, Utah NFL, Philadelphia Eagles N/A 2007–2013
Hayden Smith Australia Premiership Rugby NFL, New York Jets USA Rugby 2012–2013
Nate Ebner USA Olympics
(USA)
National Football League
(New England)
USA (7s) 2012–
Daniel Adongo Kenya Super Rugby NFL, Indianapolis Colts 2011–2015
Alex Gray England Premiership Rugby NFL, Atlanta Falcons 2017–2020
Christian Scotland-Williamson England Premiership Rugby NFL, Pittsburgh Steelers 2018–2020
Christian Wade England Premiership Rugby NFL, Buffalo Bills 2019–
Leki Fotu Tonga & United States High school Rugby
Herriman High School
NFL, Arizona Cardinals 2020–
Louis Rees-Zammit Wales Premiership Rugby, 6 Nations rugby, Rugby World Cup NFL, Kansas City Chiefs, Jacksonville Jaguars Wales,
British and Irish Lions (2021)
2018-

Rugby union to association football

[edit]
Name Country Top rugby union level Top association football level Top representation level Playing era
J.W. Sutcliffe England Bradford F.C./Heckmondwike Bolton Wanderers/Manchester United England (both) 1880s/1910s
Adam Holloway England Henley Hawks/
Crusaders
Strathcona Terriers FC England/New Zealand/Canada 2000s
Tony Ward Ireland Munster/Ireland/British and Irish Lions Shamrock Rovers/Limerick United British and Irish Lions 1970s and 1980s
Tommy Moroney Ireland Munster West Ham United Republic of Ireland 1940s
Aaron Ramsey Wales Caerphilly RFC (youth team) Cardiff City/Arsenal/Juventus Wales 2000s - 2020s
Henry Renny-Tailyour Scotland Scotland Royal Engineers A.F.C. Scotland 1870s, 1880s
Martín Terán Argentina Tucumán Rugby Club, Nacional de Clubes Atlético Tucumán Argentina 1996–1997
Ted Bateson England Yorkshire, Skipton RFC Blackburn Rovers Yorkshire (RU) 1920s

Rugby union to Australian rules football

[edit]
Tall and athletic, George A. Gillett represented New Zealand in 3 football codes: Rugby Union, Australian Rules and Rugby League between 1899 and 1914

In recent years, several schoolboy rugby union players have made a transition to Australian Rules, including Ray Smith (Queensland Under 19), Jim Stynes, Lewis Roberts-Thomson, Aaron Edwards, Adam Campbell (New Zealand Under 15), Daniel Merrett, Brad Moran (West Midlands (England) Under 16) and Tom Williams (Queensland Under 16). In 2012, Canadian Mike Pyke became the first former professional rugby player to win an AFL premiership.

Name Country Top rugby union level Top Australian rules level Top representation level Rugby union debut Australian rules debut
Andrew Stoddart England British & Irish Lions Great Britain British & Irish Lions (RU)
Great Britain (AR)
1886 1888
George A. Gillett New Zealand New Zealand New Zealand, Western Australia New Zealand (RU)
New Zealand (AR)
1899 1908
Mike Pyke Canada Top 14 (France)
(US Montauban)
Australian Football League
(Sydney) premiership
Canada (RU) 2002 2009
Karmichael Hunt Australia Top 14 (France)
(Biarritz)
Australian Football League
(Gold Coast)
French Barbarians (RU) 2009 2011
Chloe Dalton Australia Olympics
(Australia)
AFL Women's
(Carlton)
Australia (RU7s) 2014 2019
Conor Nash Ireland Leinster Rugby (Ireland) Australian Football League
(Hawthorn)
Ireland U18 (RU) 2016 2017
Kendra Heil Canada Guelph Gryphons AFL Women's
(Collingwood Football Club)
Canada (AR) 2007 2016
Brooke Walker Australia World Sevens Series
(Australia)
AFL Women's
(Carlton)
Australia (RU7s) 2015 2019
Mhicca Carter Australia Super W
(Force)
AFL Women's
(West Coast)
Australia A (RU) 2018 2019
Courtney Hodder Australia Super W
(Force/Reds)
AFL Women's
(Brisbane) premiership
Australia A (RU) 2018 2021

Rugby union to Gaelic football

[edit]
Name Country Top rugby union level Top Gaelic football level Top representation level Playing era
Jarlath Fallon Ireland Galwegians, Connacht Tuam Stars senior team, Galway senior team Galway senior team 1990s, 2000s
Shane Byrne Ireland Leinster, Ireland, British and Irish Lions Aughrim senior team 1990s, 2000s
Eric Miller Ireland Leicester Tigers, Leinster, Barbarians, Ireland, British and Irish Lions Ballyboden St. Enda's GAA, Dublin senior team Barbarians, Ireland, British and Irish Lions 1990s, 2000s
Gavin Duffy Ireland Connacht, Harlequins, Ireland Salthill-Knocknacarra senior team, Mayo senior team Ireland 2000s, 2010s

Rugby union to rugby league

[edit]
Statue of Dally Messenger at Eastern Suburbs Memorial Park in Sydney, whose sensational switch from union to league changed the Australian sporting landscape.

Two of the closest codes, they share many similar skills. Until 1995 union was officially amateur and union players were offered money to switch codes. That trend has since reversed, as rugby union is now richer than rugby league. Conversion from one code to the other is more difficult for forwards than backs, where the skills are most similar. Several players, including Iestyn Harris and Mat Rogers, have converted between the two codes on more than one occasion.

Name Country Top rugby union level Top rugby league level Top representation level Playing era
Frano Botica New Zealand All Blacks NZ Kiwis, NRL New Zealand (RU/RL) Croatia (RU) 1980/90s
Charlotte Caslick Australia Wallaroos NRL Women's Premiership Australia (RU/RL) 2010/20s
Ellia Green Australia Wallaroos NRL Women's Premiership Australia (RU/RL) 2010/20s
Michael Cleary Australia Wallabies NSWRL Australia (RU/RL) 1960s
Ryan Cross Australia Wallabies NRL Australian Schoolboys (RU) 2000s
Arthur Daniels Wales Club (Llanelli) Rugby Football League Championship Wales/Great Britain (RL) 1940s/50s
Jonathan Davies Wales Welsh Premier Division Super League Wales/Great Britain (RL) Wales (RU) 1980s/90s
Marc Ellis New Zealand All Blacks NRL New Zealand (RU/RL) 1990s
Rocky Elsom Australia Wallabies Junior Australia (RU) 2000s
George Fairbairn Scotland SRU national league/Kelso RFC Rugby Football League Championship Great Britain 1970/80s
Russell Fairfax Australia Wallabies NSWRL Australia (RU) 1970s
Ray French England England Rugby Football League Championship Great Britain
John Gallagher New Zealand All Blacks Super League New Zealand (RU) 1980s
Scott Gibbs Wales Welsh Premier Division Super League Wales/Great Britain (RL/RU) 1990s
Scott Gourley Australia Wallabies NSWRL Australia (RU/RL) 1980s
Daryl Halligan New Zealand NPC NZ Kiwis New Zealand (RL) 1990s
Sam Harris Australia Super Rugby NRL Australian Schoolboys (RU) City v. Country (RL) 2000s
Jarryd Hayne Australia World Rugby Sevens Series NRL (Gold Coast) Fiji (RU 7s) Australia (RL) 2006-
Nigel Heslop England International Rugby Football League Championship England 1990s
Craig Innes New Zealand All Blacks NRL New Zealand (RU/RL) 1990s
Ben Kennedy Australia Australian U-21 NRL Australia (RL) 1990s/2000s
Wally Lewis Australia Australian Schoolboys NRL Australia (RL) 1977/1992
Cooper Cronk Australia Australian Schoolboys NRL Australia (RL) 2000s
John Kirwan New Zealand All Blacks NRL New Zealand (RU) 1980/90s
Tony Melrose Australia Australian Schoolboys NSWRL Australia (RU) 1980s
Dally Messenger Australia Wallabies NSWRL Australia (RL) 1900s
Garrick Morgan Australia Wallabies NRL Australia (RU) 1990s
Rex Mossop Australia Wallabies NSWRL Australia (RU/RL) 1950s
Noa Nadruku Fiji Fiji international National Rugby League Fiji (RU/RL) 1990s
Michael O'Connor Australia Wallabies NSWRL Australia (RU/RL) 1980/90s
Brett Papworth Australia Wallabies NSWRL Australia (RU) 1980s
Ray Price Australia Wallabies NSWRL Australia (RU/RL) 1980s
Scott Quinnell Wales Wales Super League Wales (RU/RL) 1990s/2000s
Matthew Ridge New Zealand All Blacks NRL New Zealand (RU/RL) 1980s/90s
Kevin Ryan Australia Wallabies NSWRL Australia (RU/RL) 1950s/1960s
Wendell Sailor Australia Wallabies Kangaroos Australia (RU/RL) 1990s/2000s
Brian Smith Australia, Ireland Wallabies, Ireland NSWRL Australia (RU), Ireland (RU) 1980s/1990s
Ricky Stuart Australia Australian U-21 NRL Australia (RU & RL) 1980s/1990s
George Smith New Zealand All Blacks All Golds New Zealand (RU/RL) 1900s
Alan Tait Scotland Scotland /1997 Lions Tour Rugby Football League Championship Great Britain 1980/90s
Brad Thorn New Zealand All Blacks Kangaroos Australia (RL) New Zealand (RU) 1994–present
John Timu New Zealand All Blacks NZ Kiwis New Zealand (RU/RL) 1990s
Va'aiga "Inga" Tuigamala New Zealand All Blacks Super League New Zealand (RU) Western Samoa (RL) 1990s
Lesley Vainikolo Tonga England Super League England (RU) New Zealand (RL) 2000s
Dave Valentine Scotland Scotland Super League Scotland (RU), Great Britain, Empire XIII (RL) 1940s, 1950s
Rob Valentine Scotland Scotland Super League Scotland (RU) Great Britain, Other Nationalities (RL) 1960s, 1970s
Sonny Bill Williams New Zealand All Blacks NZ Kiwis, NRL New Zealand (RL/RU) 2004–present
Roy Kinnear Scotland Scotland, British and Irish Lions Great Britain Scotland, B&I Lions (RU) Great Britain, Other Nationalities (RL) 1920s, 1930s
Gareth Thomas Wales Wales, British and Irish Lions Wales, Super League Wales (RU/RL) 1994–2011
Tiaan Strauss South Africa South Africa, Australia NRL with Cronulla Sharks South Africa and Australia (RU) 1986–1999
Tom van Vollenhoven South Africa South Africa Northern Rugby Football League with St. Helens South Africa (RU) 1950s–1960s
Rob Louw South Africa South Africa RFL with Wigan South Africa (RU) 1978–1997
Ray Mordt South Africa South Africa Rugby Football League Championship with Wigan South Africa (RU) 1980–1987
Wilf Rosenberg South Africa South Africa Rugby Football League Championship with Leeds and Hull F.C. South Africa (RU) 1955–1963
David Watkins Wales Wales, British and Irish Lions Rugby Football League Championship with Salford and Swinton Wales/Great Britain (RL) Wales (RU)British and Irish Lions 1961–1980

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
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  67. ^ Note: first player to play for both national teams post RU professional era
  68. ^ "How Many Players In Rugby Have Played NFL? - FloRugby". www.florugby.com. 8 June 2020. Retrieved 18 March 2023.