Over the last six weeks, the 2023 Rugby World Cup has thrilled us all and provided some unforgettable moments. The tournament got underway with hosts France knocking off heavyweights New Zealand in Paris, and the classic matchups continued. Losses to Fiji and Wales saw Australia eliminated at the pool stage for the first time in the nation’s proud history. In contrast, a narrow Argentina victory against 2019 semi-finalists Japan saw them through to the knockout stages much to the surprise of both fans and pundits alike.
But it isn’t just Rugby that is making sporting headlines the world over. Across the pond, American Football returned at the start of September as the NFL got back underway. The reigning champion Kansas City Chiefs stumbled to a shocking opening day defeat to an upstart Detroit Lions side. Since then, they have managed to bounce back, reeling off six straight wins and staking their claim for the Lombardi once more. Online bookmakers providing NFL Super Bowl odds have made the Missouri outfit the +425 second favorites to retain the crown they won so impressively with a come-from-behind victory against the Philadelphia Eagles back in February, and on this type of form, why wouldn’t they?
While these two sports are inherently different, they have often been compared over the years, especially when the NFL heads to Europe as part of its international series. But if we had to link our Rugby World Cup final four with their NFL counterparts, which teams would get the nod?
New Zealand – New England Patriots
Let’s start with one of our two finalists, New Zealand. They’re often considered the No. 1 ranked team and have won three out of nine World Cup championships. However, in recent years they have stumbled somewhat, losing to England in the 2019 semifinals when heavily favored, as well as losing a three-match test series on home turf to Ireland last summer.
It’s safe to say that they’re the New England Patriots of rugby. The Boston outfit dominated the NFL for the better part of two decades, reaching the Super Bowl a whopping nine times between 2001 and 2018 and converting six of those appearances into Lombardi’s. Just like the All Blacks, however, they haven’t been at their best in recent years. They have started the 2023 campaign dismally, losing five of their opening seven games. Whether they can resurrect their season in the coming weeks still is to be seen, but all they need to do is look to their rugby equivalent for motivation that a turnaround is indeed possible.
South Africa – Kansas City Chiefs
Next up is South Africa, the second of our finalists and the reigning world champions, just as the Kansas City Chiefs are the current kings of the NFL. Both teams have explosive offensive firepower, with the Springboks owning a dominant forward pack that can overpower and outmuscle their opponents, just like the Chiefs’ offense with Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce. Speaking of quarterback Mahomes, he can be compared with current Boks fly half Handrè Pollard, with both men orchestrating attacks and often coming in clutch with some match-winning moments,
England – New York Giants
Both England and the New York Giants have had their ups and downs in recent years, but they always come up big in clutch situations when the pressure is on. England reached the final of the Rugby World Cup in both 2007 and 2019, and they did so against all odds. The first of those two endeavors was particularly impressive, rallying from a shoddy pool stage performance to knock off Australia and hosts France to set up a meeting with South Africa in the final.
The same can be said of the Giants. The MetLife Stadium stunned everyone in 2008 when they ended the New England Patriots’ perfect season by securing a late 17-14 victory at Super Bowl XLII. Also, their iconic quarterback Eli Manning could be compared with English sensation Jonny Wilkinson. repeatedly that duo were the heroes for their respective teams, somehow managed to drag their team out of the fire time and time again.
Argentina – Cincinatti Bengals
Finally, we have Argentina. They stunned everybody as they knocked out Wales in the quarterfinals against all odds. It reminded us of an upstart Cincinnati Bengals side that knocked out that defeated a heavily favored Kansas City Chiefs side in the 2021 AFC Championship game. Both have loyal and passionate fanbases, but unfortunately, that hasn’t resulted in a trophy… yet.
The Pumas have never lifted the Rugby World Cup, while the Bengals have never lifted the Lombardi. While the former won’t be changing that this year after succumbing to defeat against New Zealand in the World Cup semifinal, the latter may very well end their drought. They have reached the AFC Championship game in each of the last two seasons, winning the first and losing the second. This year, quarterback Joe Burrow is currently leading his team back from a 0-2 start. As the season approaches its midway point, the Bengals are currently 3-3, and well positioned to pick up a few more wins to boost their playoff hopes.
