List of players who have converted from one football code to another: Difference between revisions

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''<ref>Lionel Frost (2004). "Globalisation and the future of indigenous football codes". Economic Society of Australia.</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/06/24/1960300.htm |title=Dally Messenger reinstated to NSWRU record books |publisher=ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) |date=2007-06-24 |access-date=2015-05-14}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rl1908.com/Rugby-Rebellion/bookrelease.htm |title=Saintsandheathens.Com &#124; Australian Rugby History &#124; Sean Fagan |publisher=Rl1908.com |access-date=2015-05-14 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080908101200/http://www.rl1908.com/Rugby-Rebellion/bookrelease.htm |archive-date=2008-09-08 }}</ref>

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| [[Richelle Cranston]] || Australia || Australia, [[Gridiron Victoria]] <small>(Geelong Buccaneers)</small>|| [[AFL Women's]]<br /><small>([[Melbourne Football Club|Melbourne]])</small><small>([[Geelong Football Club|Geelong]])</small><small>([[Western Bulldogs]])</small> || 2015 || 2017<ref name="gridirondownunder.com">[{{Cite web|url=https://gridirondownunder.com/2016/05/geelong-buccaneers-womens-champs-season-awards/ |title=Geelong Buccaneers Womens Champs & season awards]|date=3 May 2016|accessdate=18 March 2023}}</ref><ref name="2015 Women’s Season Awards">[http{{Cite web|url=https://www.gridironvictoria.com.au/women/2015-season-awards/ |title=2015 Women’sWomen's Season Awards] - Gridiron Victoria|date=3 January 2016|accessdate=18 March 2023}}</ref><ref name="geelongadvertiser.com.au">{{Cite web|url=https://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/subscribe/news/1/?sourceCode=GAWEB_WRE170_a_GGL&dest=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.geelongadvertiser.com.au%2Fsport%2Fafl%2Fgeelong-cats%2Frocky-cranstons-journey-to-become-the-face-of-geelongs-aflw-team-has-been-a-long-and-remarkable-one%2Fnews-story%2Fe2837bec1a006c6128b7af862bf2b739&memtype=anonymous&mode=premium&nk=6fdc68faa9c6f11aaa0be921e7befe22-1632366476|title = "Rocky Cranston's Journey to Become the Face of Geelong's AFLW team has been a long and remarkable one"}}</ref>

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Following the establishment of [[AFL Women's]] in 2016 (the first professional [[women's Australian rules football]] competition), several Australian[[A-League soccerWomen]] 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.

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| [[LucindaJessica PullarWaterhouse]] || Australia U17 || [[Brisbane Roar FC (W-League)|BrisbaneAdelaide RoarUnited]] (W-League) || {{AFLW BriAde}} (AFL Women's) || N/A || 20172012 || 2022

| [[AngeliqueLulu StannettPullar]] || New ZealandAustralia || [[PerthBrisbane GloryRoar FC (AW-League Women)|PerthBrisbane GloryRoar]] ([[W-League (Australia)|W-League]]) || {{AFLW FreBri}} ([[AFL Women's]]) || N/A || 20152017 || 20192022

| [[Evangeline Gooch]] || Australia || [[Perth Glory]] (W-League) || {{AFLW Fre}} {{AFLW WC}} (AFL Women's) || N/A || 2015 || 2017
|-
| [[Ellie Brush]] || Australia || [[Canberra United FC|Canberra United]] ([[W-League (Australia)|W-League]]) || {{AFLW GWS}} ([[AFL Women's]]) || [[Australia women's national soccer team|Australia]] (soccer) || 2008 || 2017

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| [[Cameron Johnston (footballerAmerican football)|Cameron Johnston]] || Australia || [[Victorian Football League]]<br /><small>([[Casey Demons|Casey]])</small> || [[National Football League]]<br /><small>([[Philadelphia Eagles|Philadelphia]])</small> || 2011 || 2018

As well as the players below, players known to have played amateur level soccer after retiring from the AFL include [[Gary Ablett, Sr.|Gary Ablett]], [[James Hird]], [[Gavin Wanganeen]],<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/sport/afl/story/0,26547,23541454-5016212,00.html |title=??? |work=News.com.au |access-date=2015-05-14}}</ref> [[Glenn Manton]] and [[Ang Christou]].

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[[File:Tadhg Kennelly 2018.2.jpg|thumb|[[TadghTadhg Kennelly]] reached the highest level in Australian rules football then Gaelic Football, [[2005 AFL Grand Final|AFL Premiership medallion]] and a [[2009 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship Final|Senior All-Ireland Championship medal]], the highest possible team player achievement in both sports.]]

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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.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://rl1908.com/articles/AFL.htm |title=Saintsandheathens.Com &#124; Australian Rugby History &#124; Sean Fagan |publisher=Rl1908.com |access-date=2015-05-14 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061021081015/http://www.rl1908.com/articles/AFL.htm |archive-date=2006-10-21 }}</ref> 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 {{rlp|fb}} and {{rlp|wg}} positions in rugby league can be suitable for the body type and skill of some Australian rules players. League players [[Darren Lockyer]],<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,21753488-5003425,00.html |title=Bennett : My greatest insult |work=News.com.au |access-date=2015-05-14}}</ref> [[Glenn Lazarus]],<ref>{{cite web |title=Career Overview |publisher=Glenn Lazarus Senator for Queensland |url=http://www.senatorlazarus.com/career-overview/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160122015000/http://www.senatorlazarus.com/career-overview/ |archive-date=22 January 2016}}</ref> [[Greg Brentnall]],<ref name="wagga.nsw.gov.au">[{{Cite web|url=http://www.wagga.nsw.gov.au/museum/collections/hall-of-fame/inductees/brentnall,-greg |title=Greg Brentnall – Wagga City Council<!-- Bot generated title -->]|accessdate=18 March 2023}}</ref> [[Chris Kinna]],<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article118121685 |title=THE RAIDERS IN '87 |newspaper=[[The Canberra Times]] |volume=61 |issue=18,774 |location=Australian Capital Territory, Australia |date=27 February 1987 |accessdate=3 May 2022 |page=5 (SUPPLEMENT TO THE CANBERRA TIMES) |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> [[Eric McCormack (rugby league)|Eric McCormack]],<ref>"The Encyclopedia Of Rugby League Players" by Whiticker/Hudson ({{ISBN|1875169571}})</ref> [[Laurie Daley]],<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article127518416 |title=THE BIG EVENT |newspaper=[[The Canberra Times]] |volume=70 |issue=21,883 |location=Australian Capital Territory, Australia |date=17 March 1995 |accessdate=31 July 2024 |page=6 (TV and radio Sport) |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> [[Bradley Clyde]],<ref name="rlw">Brad Clyde: Raiders Legend. Rugby League Week October 2008</ref> [[Kevin Proctor]],<ref>{{cite news |author=Steve Mascord |date=4 July 2013 |title=Proctor the ultimate code-hopper |newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald |url=https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/proctor-the-ultimate-codehopper-20130703-2pcbf.html}}</ref> and[[Matt Duffie]],<ref>[http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/league/10549841/Kiwi-wing-Matt-Duffie-re-signs-with-Melbourne Kiwi wing Matt Duffie re-signs with Melbourne] Chris Barclay. Stuff.co.nz Sep 28 2014</ref> [[Shaun Johnson]],<ref>[https://amp.couriermail.com.au/sport/nrl/he-was-almost-lost-to-afl/news-story/47f88539c058b4d6c4cbc99ce122ec15 Warriors star Shaun Johnson was almost lost to AFL] Peter Badel September 9, 2011</ref> [[Tom Trbojevic]],<ref>[https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/teams/sea-eagles/how-manly-sea-eagles-young-gun-tom-trbojevic-was-almost-lost-to-rugby-league/news-story/ec9fc785d56d97a4e0012a48ce7c03cd How Manly Sea Eagles young gun Tom Trbojevic was almost lost to rugby league] from Fox Sports July 22nd, 2016</ref><ref>[https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/nrl-2021-tom-trbojevic-afl-manly-sea-eagles-sydney-swans-isaac-heeney/news-story/ae6179ea081c06e29229c7d0573b1791 How Tommy Turbo chose rugby league over AFL after training with Swans star] from Fox Sports September 16th, 2021</ref> [[Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cairnspost.com.au/former-coach-nq-cowboys-flyer-could-have-made-afl/news-story/f239ec0168ed5b137847b79ce7b31171 |title= NQ Cowboys flyer could have made AFL |date=21 February 2020}}</ref> [[William Warbrick]],<ref name="YahooProfile">{{cite web |title=From AFL to rugby sevens, Warbrick finds league home |url=https://au.sports.yahoo.com/afl-rugby-sevens-warbrick-finds-053342169.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAKV6mIcfa20JaqSOGtqLa9IMfVp8VzMQXDj3O6Q801SQqENfZ6dW3xvx2WPUDVj57aE1Tlst3mYrbFGygjrqKgfJhnE99DmdLqbk1x360alGv2Iy9Thm1xJ8HqmLlEemCk_ShcLTq-hkgHoG2yiU1mJDMVebRO7gsnL5INy3Jqph |website=Yahoo Sports |publisher=Australian Associated Press |access-date=26 March 2023 |date=9 March 2023}}</ref> [[Kalyn Ponga]]<ref>[https://www.zerotackle.com/kalyn-ponga-reveals-how-close-he-came-to-joining-afl-42043/ Kalyn Ponga reveals how close he came to joining AFL] by Ben Cotton for Zero Tackle 17 March 2019</ref> and [[Corey Horsburgh]]<ref>[https://www.zerotackle.com/from-brisbane-lions-academy-to-state-of-origin-corey-horsburgh-159143/ From Brisbane Lions Academy to State of Origin: Corey Horsburgh] by Ethan Lee Chalk for Zero Tackle 8 July 2023</ref> all played Aussie Rules at a junior level.

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| Jimmy Stiff || Australia || [[AFL Sydney|NSWAFA]] <small>(South Sydney)</small> || [[New South Wales Rugby League|NSWRL]] <small>([[South Sydney Rabbitohs|South Sydney]])</small> || New South Wales (AR) || 1925 || 1935<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article246604126 |title=JIMMY STIFF GOES BACK TO AUSTRALIAN RULES |newspaper=[[The Daily Telegraph (Sydney)|The Daily Telegraph]] |volume=5 |issue=138 |location=New South Wales, Australia |date=26 July 1935 |accessdate=14 September 2022 |page=3 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref>

| Barry Spring || Australia || [[Queensland Australian Football League|Queensland Australian National Football League]]<br /><small>([[Mayne Australian Football Club|Mayne]])</small> || [[Queensland Rugby League|Brisbane Rugby League]]<br /><small>([[Norths Devils|Northern Suburbs]])</small> || Queensland (AR) || || 1969<ref>[{{Cite web|url=http://www.couriermail.com.au/questnews/sport/spring-switch-was-smooth/story-e6frepno-1111117081011 |title=Barry Spring didn't do a Sonny Bill on Mayne]|accessdate=18 March 2023}}</ref>

| [[Haneen Zreika]] || Australia || [[AFLW]]<br /><small>([[GWS Giants]])</small> || [[NSWRL Women's Premiership]]<br /><small>([[Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs]]/[[South Sydney Rabbitohs]])</small> || – || 2018 || 2019<ref>[https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/sport/gws-giants-aflw-gun-haneen-zreikas-bid-for-nrl-afl-history/news-story/dd776375da2a54e506c82a3d957b0c0e The Daily Telegraph] {{Bare URLdead inlinelink|date=NovemberMarch 20212023}}</ref>

| [[Brooke Walker (sportswoman)|Brooke Walker]] || Australia || [[AFLW]]<br /><small>([[Carlton Football Club|Carlton]])</small> || [[NRLW]]<br /><small>([[Parramatta Eels#Women's teamWomen|Parramatta Eels]])</small> || Victoria (RL) || 2019 || 2020

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| [[Ray Millington]] || Australia || [[Australian Football League|Victorian Football League]]<br /><small>([[Fitzroy Football Club|Fitzroy]])</small> || [[Shute Shield]]<br /><small>([[Randwick DRUFC]])</small> || || 1952 || 1954<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nswfootballhistory.com.au/28742-2/|title=Ray Millington – A Wonderful Sporting Journey – NSW Australian Football History Society Inc|accessdate=18 March 2023}}</ref>

| [[Sam Dickson (rugby union)|Sam Dickson]] || New Zealand || [[New Zealand national Australian rules football team|New Zealand]] || [[New Zealand national rugby sevens team|New Zealand]] (7s) [[2016 Summer Olympics]] || [[New Zealand national Australian rules football team|New Zealand]] (AR)<br /> [[New Zealand national rugby sevens team|New Zealand]] (7s) || 2011 || 2016<ref>[{{Cite web|url=https://www.aflnz.co.nz/news/cross-coders-all-blacks-7s-star-credits-afl-for-kickstarting-rugby-career/ |title=Cross Coders: All Blacks 7’s7's star credits AFL for kickstarting Rugby career]|date=6 July 2020|accessdate=18 March 2023}}</ref>

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| {{nobreaknowrap|[[Jack Kirwan]]}} || Ireland || [[All-Ireland Senior Football Championship|All-Ireland Championship]] winner with [[Dublin GAA|Dublin]] || [[FA Cup]] winner with [[Tottenham Hotspur F.C.]] || [[Ireland national football team (1882–1950)|Ireland]]

| {{nobreaknowrap|[[Val Harris]]}} || Ireland || [[All-Ireland Senior Football Championship|All-Ireland Championship]] winner with [[Dublin GAA|Dublin]] || [[League of Ireland]] winner and [[Irish Cup]] winner with [[Shelbourne F.C.]];<br />[[Football League First Division]] with [[Everton F.C.]] || [[Ireland national football team (1882–1950)|Ireland]],<br />[[Irish Free State national football team|Irish Free State]]

| {{nobreaknowrap|[[Con Martin]]}} || Ireland || [[Leinster Senior Football Championship|Leinster Championship]] winner with [[Dublin GAA|Dublin]] || [[Football League First Division]] with [[Leeds United A.F.C.]] and [[Aston Villa F.C.]] || [[Ireland national football team (FAI)|Ireland (FAI)]],<br />[[Ireland national football team (IFA)|Ireland (IFA)]]

| {{nobreaknowrap|[[Martin O'Neill]]}} || {{nobreaknowrap|[[Northern Ireland]]}} || [[Derry GAA|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 national football team|Northern Ireland]]

| {{nobreaknowrap|[[Kevin Moran (footballer)|Kevin Moran]]}} || Ireland || [[All-Ireland Senior Football Championship|All-Ireland Championship]] winner with [[Dublin GAA|Dublin]] || [[Football League First Division]] with [[Manchester United F.C.]] || [[Republic of Ireland national football team|Republic of Ireland]]

| {{nobreaknowrap|[[Niall Quinn]]}} || Ireland || [[Dublin GAA|Dublin minor team]] || [[Premier League|Premiership]] with [[Arsenal F.C.]], [[Manchester City F.C.]] and [[Sunderland A.F.C.]] || [[Republic of Ireland national football team|Republic of Ireland]]

| {{nobreaknowrap|[[Neil Lennon]]}} || {{nobreaknowrap|[[Northern Ireland]]}} || [[Armagh GAA|Armagh minor team]] || [[Scottish Premier League]] winner with [[Celtic F.C.]] || [[Northern Ireland national football team|Northern Ireland]]

| {{nobreaknowrap|[[Kevin Doyle]]}} || Ireland || [[Wexford GAA|Wexford minor team]] || [[Premier League|Premiership]] with [[Reading F.C.]] and [[Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C.]] || [[Republic of Ireland national football team|Republic of Ireland]]

| {{nobreaknowrap|[[Shane Long]]}} || Ireland || [[Tipperary GAA|Tipperary minor team]] || [[Premier League|Premiership]] with [[Reading F.C.]], [[West Bromwich Albion F.C]], [[Hull City A.F.C.]] and [[Southampton F.C.]] || [[Republic of Ireland national football team|Republic of Ireland]]

| {{nobreaknowrap|[[Cillian Sheridan]]}} || Ireland || [[Cavan GAA|Cavan minor team]] || [[UEFA Champions League]] with [[APOEL F.C.]] || [[Republic of Ireland national football team|Republic of Ireland]]

| {{nobreaknowrap|[[Niall McGinn]]}} || {{nobreaknowrap|[[Northern Ireland]]}} || [[Tyrone GAA|Tyrone U-21s]]<ref Name=CityWeb>[https://web.archive.org/web/20110207010922/http://www.derrycityfc.net/players/current/nmcginn.php PLAYER PROFILES&nbsp;– Niall McGinn] Derry City FC. Retrieved 16 November 2008{{Dead link|date=April 2013}}</ref>|| Scored for Northern Ireland at [[UEFA Euro 2016]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/36557910 |title=Euro 2016: Niall McGinn still on 'cloud nine' after NI win over Ukraine |publisher=BBC Sport |date=17 June 2016 |access-date=18 June 2016}}</ref>|| [[Northern Ireland national football team|Northern Ireland]]

| {{nobreaknowrap|[[Michael O'Neill (footballer)|Michael O'Neill]]}} || {{nobreaknowrap|[[Northern Ireland]]}} || [[Antrim GAA|Antrim minor team]]

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| [[Zach Tuohy]] || Ireland || [[Laois GAA]] || [[Australian Football League|AFL]] premiership 2022 || Ireland (Inter-rules) || || 2011

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| [[Shane Byrne (rugby playerunion)|Shane Byrne]] || Ireland || Aughrim minor team || [[Leinster Rugby|Leinster]], [[Saracens F.C.|Saracens]] || [[Ireland national rugby union team|Ireland]], [[British and Irish Lions]] || 1990s, 2000s

[[Lindsay Peat]] played for [[Dublin senior ladies' football team|Dublin]] in the [[2009 All-Ireland Senior Ladies' Football Championship Finalfinal|2009]], [[2010 All-Ireland Senior Ladies' Football Championship Finalfinal|2010]] and [[2014 All-Ireland Senior Ladies' Football Championship Finalfinal|2014 All-Ireland]] finals before playing for [[Ireland women's national rugby union team|Ireland]] in the [[2017 Women's Rugby World Cup]]. The Ireland squad featured at least six other former [[Ladies' Gaelic football|ladies' inter-county footballers]] – [[Niamh Briggs]], [[Claire Molloy]], [[Cliodhna Moloney]], [[Katie Fitzhenry]], [[Nora Stapleton]] and [[Hannah Tyrrell]].<ref name="the42240915" /><ref name=ladiesgaelic090817 /><!-- defined elsewhere as something like {{cite web |url=http://ladiesgaelic.ie/former-ladies-footballers-fuel-irish-rugbys-bid-world-rugby-glory/|title=Former Ladies Footballers Fuel Irish Rugby's Bid for World Rugby Glory|publisher=ladiesgaelic.ie |date=9 August 2017 |access-date=16 June 2018}}</ref> -->

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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]],<ref>{{cite news |author=Charles Happell |url=https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/wayne-carey-hell-and-back-20100602-wzsh.html |title=Wayne Carey: Hell and back |newspaper=The Age |date=3 June 2010 |access-date=2015-05-14}}</ref> [[Paul Kelly (Australian rules footballer)|Paul Kelly]],<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/lets-chase-johnathan-thurston-for-afl-paul-kelly/story-e6frexnr-1225821732931 |title=Lets Chase Johnathan Thurston for AFL Paul Kelly |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |access-date=2015-05-14}}</ref> [[Kieren Jack]],<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/06/25/2937505.htm |title=Poaching league players worth it: Jack – ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) |publisher=Abc.net.au |date=2010-06-25 |access-date=2015-05-14}}</ref> [[Andrew McLeod]],<ref name="Folau will deliver"/> [[Jared Brennan]],<ref name="Folau will deliver"/> [[Matthew Whelan]],<ref name="Folau will deliver"/> and [[Sam Gilbert (Australian footballer)|Sam Gilbert]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/afl/defender-sam-gilbert-helps-lead-st-kilda-charge-towards-afl-premiership/story-e6frepi6-1225778902124 |title=Sam Gilbert Helps Lead St Kilda Charge Towards AFL Premiership |publisher=Couriermail.com.au |access-date=2015-05-14}}</ref>

| Joe Buboi<ref>BUBOI SWITCHES TO RULES FOOTBALL. Papua New Guinea 13 Jun 1975 Page 51</ref><ref>They’llThey'll talk rules in Canberra. Papua New Guinea 2 Oct 1974 Page 29</ref> || Papua New Guinea|| Kumuls (captain) || [[Papua New Guinea national Australian rules football team|Papua New Guinea]] || [[Papua New Guinea national rugby league team]] (RL) (captain) <br />[[Papua New Guinea national Australian rules football team|Papua New Guinea]] (AR) (captain) || 1970 || 19751973

| [[Michael McLean (footballer)|Michael McLean]]<ref name="Folau will deliver">{{cite web |url=http://www.ntnews.com.au/article/2010/06/03/152731_ntsport.html |title=Archived copy|website=www.ntnews.com.au |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120319155436/http://www.ntnews.com.au/article/2010/06/03/152731_ntsport.html |archive-date=19 March 2012}}</ref> || Australia || [[Northern Territory Rugby League]]<br /><small>(Nightcliff Dragons)</small> || [[Australian Football League]]<br /><small>([[Footscray Football Club|Footscray]]/[[Brisbane Bears|Brisbane]])</small> || [[Indigenous All-Stars (Australian football)|Aboriginal All-Stars]] (AR) || 1980 || 1983

| Tom Robertson<ref>[{{Cite web|url=https://aflcanberra.com.au/2021/03/24/tom-robertson-signing-another-win-for-the-afl/ |title=Tom Robertson signing another win for the AFL] Canberra|date=24 March 2021|accessdate=18 March 2023}}</ref> || Australia || [[Jersey Flegg Cup]]<br /><small>([[Canberra Raiders]])</small> || [[AFL Canberra]]<br /><small>(Eastlake)</small> || || 2020 || 2021

| [[Jason Robinson (rugby player)|Jason Robinson]] || England || [[Super League]] || [[English Premiership (rugby union)|English Premiership]] || Great Britain (RL), England (RU), British & Irish Lions (RU) || 1991 || 1996

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.<ref name="urlHow Many Players In Rugby Have Played NFL?">{{citeCite web |url=https://www.florugby.com/articles/6750092-how-many-players-in-rugby-have-played-nfl |title=How Many Players In Rugby Have Played NFL? - FloRugby|website=www.florugby.com|date=8 June 2020 |accessdate=18 March 2023}}</ref>

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| [[Alex Gray (rugby union)|Alex Gray]] || [[United Kingdom]]England || [[Premiership Rugby]] || [[National Football League|NFL]], [[Atlanta Falcons]] || || 2017–2020

| [[Christian Scotland-Williamson]] || [[United Kingdom]]England || [[Premiership Rugby]] || [[National Football League|NFL]], [[Pittsburgh Steelers]] || || 2018–2020

| [[Christian Wade]] || [[UK]]England || [[Premiership Rugby]] || [[National Football League|NFL]], [[Buffalo Bills]] || || 2019–

| [[Leki Fotu]] || [[Tonga]] & [[USA]]United States || High school Rugby<br /><small>[[Herriman High School]]</small> || [[National Football League|NFL]], [[Arizona Cardinals]] || || 2020–

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| [[Adam Holloway (rugby playerunion)|Adam Holloway]] || England || [[Henley Hawks]]/<br />[[Crusaders (rugby union)|Crusaders]]|| Strathcona Terriers FC|| England/New Zealand/Canada || 2000s

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| [[Mhicca Carter]] || Australia || [[Super W]] <br /><small>([[Western Force#Women's teamWomen|Force]])</small> || [[AFL Women's]]<br /><small>({{AFLW WC}})</small> || Australia A (RU) || 2018 || 2019

| [[Courtney Hodder]] || Australia || [[Super W]] <br /><small>([[Western Force#Women's teamWomen|Force]]/[[Queensland Reds#Women's teamWomen|Reds]])</small> || [[AFL Women's]]<br /><small>({{AFLW Bri}})</small> premiership || Australia A (RU) || 2018 || 2021

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| {{nobreaknowrap|[[JarlathShane FallonByrne (rugby union)|Shane Byrne]]}} || Ireland || [[GalwegiansLeinster RFCRugby|GalwegiansLeinster]], [[ConnachtIreland Rugby|Connacht]]national ||rugby [[Tuamunion Stars GAAteam|Tuam Stars senior teamIreland]], [[GalwayBritish GAA|Galwayand seniorIrish teamLions]] || [[Galway GAA|GalwayAughrim senior team]] || || {{nobreaknowrap|1990s, 2000s}}

| {{nobreaknowrap|[[ShaneEric ByrneMiller (rugby playerunion)|ShaneEric ByrneMiller]]}} || Ireland || [[Leicester Tigers]], [[Leinster Rugby|Leinster]], [[Barbarian F.C.|Barbarians]], [[Ireland national rugby union team|Ireland]], [[British and Irish Lions]] || Aughrim[[Ballyboden St. Enda's GAA]], [[Dublin GAA|Dublin senior team]] || [[Barbarian F.C.|Barbarians]], [[Ireland national rugby union team|Ireland]], [[British and Irish Lions]] || {{nobreaknowrap|1990s, 2000s}}

| {{nobreaknowrap|[[EricGavin MillerDuffy (rugby playersportsman)|EricGavin MillerDuffy]]}} || Ireland || [[Leicester Tigers]], [[LeinsterConnacht Rugby|LeinsterConnacht]], [[BarbarianHarlequin F.C.|BarbariansHarlequins]], [[Ireland national rugby union team|Ireland]], [[British and Irish Lions]] || [[BallybodenSalthill-Knocknacarra St.GAA|Salthill-Knocknacarra Enda'ssenior GAAteam]], [[DublinMayo GAA|DublinMayo senior team]] || [[Barbarian F.C.|Barbarians]], [[Ireland national rugby union team|Ireland]], [[British and Irish Lions]] || {{nobreaknowrap|1990s2000s, 2000s2010s}}

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| [[Jonathan Davies (rugby player, born 1962)|Jonathan Davies]] || [[Wales]] || [[Welsh Premier Division]] || [[Super League]] || Wales/Great Britain (RL) Wales (RU) || 1980s/90s

| [[John Gallagher (rugby playerleague)|John Gallagher]] || New Zealand || [[New Zealand national rugby union team|All Blacks]] || [[Super League]] || New Zealand (RU) || 1980s

| [[Michael O'Connor (Rugby playerrugby)|Michael O'Connor]] || Australia || [[Australia national rugby union team|Wallabies]] || [[New South Wales Rugby League|NSWRL]] || Australia (RU/RL) || 1980/90s

| [[Gareth Thomas (rugby, born 1974)|Gareth Thomas]] || [[Wales]] || [[Wales national rugby union team|Wales]], [[British and Irish Lions]] || [[Wales national rugby league team|Wales]], [[Super League]] || Wales (RU/RL) || 1994–2011