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

There are many players who have converted from one football code to another or even changed from other sports at a professional or representational 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 or Australia where multiple codes are popular and the practice of switching codes is relatively common they are known simply as a code convert. In Australia star code converts can have a substantial impact on the football codes. For instance, Dally Messenger's defection from rugby union to rugby league was considered a pivotal moment in the establishment of the latter code over other codes in Australia.

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

From American football

American football to Canadian football

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 rosters. 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 sister. Dozens of professional players move between these codes' top professional leagues every year, making any attempt at a list incomplete at best.

Perhaps the most notable two players to move between these codes were Warren Moon, a Hall of Fame quarterback in both codes first for the Edmonton Eskimos, then later for the Houston Oilers and Minnesota Vikings, and Doug Flutie, who authored a comeback win for Boston College considered an iconic moment in the history of American college football before a long CFL career that led to him being the first non-Canadian honored with induction to Canada's Sports Hall of Fame and a brief NFL coda.

American football to rugby league

Name	Country	Top American Football Level	Top Rugby League Level	Top representation level
Manfred Moore	USA	NFL	New South Wales Rugby Football League	-
Philippe Gardent	France	NFL Europe	National League One	-

American football to rugby union

Name	Country	Top American football level	Top rugby union level	Top representation level
Bennie Brazell	USA	NFL (injured reserve)		USA sevens
Dave Hodges	USA	NCAA Division III	Welsh Premiership	USA (15s)
Carlin Isles	USA	NFL (practice squad)	Pro12	USA sevens
Dan Lyle	USA	NCAA Division I FCS	English Premiership	USA (15s)
Leonard Peters	USA	NFL (practice squad)	USA Rugby Men's Club Division I	USA (7s and 15s)
Richard Tardits	France, later USA	NFL	Top 14	USA (15s)

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.

American football to Australian rules football

Name	Country	Top American Football Level	Top Australian rules football Level	Top representation level
Dwayne Armstrong	USA	NCAA Division I FBS	Australian Football League (reserves)	-

From association football

Association football to American football

Numerous American football placekickers grew up playing 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 soccer.

Name	Country	Top Football (Soccer) 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
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	Werder Bremen	Rhein Fire	Germany national football team
Toni Fritsch	Austria	Rapid Vienna	Dallas Cowboys, San Diego Chargers, Houston Oilers, New Orleans Saints	Austria national football team (soccer) Pro Bowl (American football)
Axel Kruse	GDR, Germany	Hansa Rostock, Hertha BSC, Eintracht Frankfurt, VfB Stuttgart	Berlin Thunder	East Germany national under-21 football team (soccer)
Tony Meola	USA	MetroStars, Kansas City Wizards	New York Jets (didn't pass tryouts)	US National Team (soccer)
Neil O'Donoghue	Ireland	Shamrock Rovers	Buffalo Bills	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
Julie Harshbarger	USA	Rockford College, Benedictine University	Chicago Pythons	First female to score a field goal in professional football
Josh Lambo	USA	FC Dallas	San Diego Chargers	United States U20 (soccer)

Association football to Gaelic football

Name	Country	Top soccer 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 union

• Luke McAlister, a New Zealand international rugby union footballer, grew up in the north-west of England and had a trial with Manchester United before converting to rugby union at an early age.
• The late Nevin Spence, former Ulster and Ireland A player, played for Northern Ireland under 16s before switching to rugby.
• Loreto Cucchiarelli former player-coach of the Italian rugby union team, played football for Lazio at a young age.
• Conrad Jantjes played for the youth national team of South Africa at soccer, rugby union and cricket.
• Brothers Kevin O'Flanagan and Mick O'Flanagan represented Ireland at both soccer and rugby union.
• Kenny Logan, Scottish rugby internationalist had Football trials as a goalkeeper for Dundee United and Hearts.
• England international Danny Cipriani played on the junior team of QPR and was offered a spot in Reading's youth setup before switching to rugby. Even after his switch, he has flirted with a return to association football, having trained with QPR, Tottenham, the Colorado Rapids, and most recently MK Dons.
• Melissa Ruscoe has not only represented New Zealand in both soccer and rugby union, but has captained both sides.

• Frank Hadden, Scottish rugby player and coach, had trials with both Queens Park Rangers and Forfar Athletic, as well as being offered a contract by Raith Rovers.

Association football to rugby league

Name	Country	Top soccer Level	Top rugby league Level	Top representation level	Playing Era
Ted Bateson	England	Blackburn Rovers	Wakefield Trinity	none	1920s

• St Helens RLFC players Steve Tyrer and Matty Smith were on the books at Wigan Athletic and Everton F.C. respectively. Tyrer was a goalkeeper and Smith was a midfielder, the latter appearing in the Everton reserve team on a few occasions.

From Australian rules football

Australian rules football to American football

See also: Australian sportsmen linked to professional American Football

Notably, the specialist American football punting role 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 Aussie rules level	Top American football level	Top representation level	Aussie Rules Debut	American Football Debut
Pat O'Dea	Australia	VFA	College football	N/A	1890s	1896
Colin Ridgeway	Australia	VFL (reserves)	NFL	N/A	1960s	1965
Darren Bennett	Australia	AFL	NFL	N/A	1987	1995
Ben Graham	Australia	AFL	NFL	Australia (Inter-rules)	1992	2005
Nathan Chapman	Australia	AFL	NFL (rookie)	N/A	1992	2004
Saverio Rocca	Australia	AFL	NFL	N/A	1992	2007
Chris Bryan	Australia	AFL	NFL	N/A	2005	2010
Scott Harding	Australia	AFL	Division I (NCAA)	N/A	2006	2011

Australian rules football to Canadian football

Name	Country	Top Aussie rules level	Top American football level	Top representation level	Aussie Rules Debut	American Football Debut
Josh Bartel	Australia	Ovens & Murray Football League	Canadian Football League	N/A		2012

Australian rules football to association football

The technique of kicking grubber goals and scissor kicking in Aussie Rules is similar to goal striking in soccer, and International Rules participation provides experience with the round ball and even goal keeping.

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

Name	Country	Top Aussie rules level	Top Soccer level	Top representation level	Aussie Rules Debut	Soccer Debut
Peter Bevilaqua	Australia	VFL	Victorian Premier League	N/A	1953	1954
Angelo Lekkas	Australia	AFL with Hawthorn	Victorian Premier League with South Melbourne	Australia (Inter-rules)	1993	2005
Fred Agius	Australia	SANFL with Central Districts	A-League with North Queensland Fury	Olyroos	2003	2003

Australian rules football to Gaelic football

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

Name	Country	Top Australian Rules Level	Top Gaelic football Level	Top representation level	Aussie Rules Debut	Gaelic football Debut
Paul Earley	Ireland	AFL	All-Ireland Senior Football Championship	NA	1984	1985
Dermot McNicholl	Ireland	AFL	Derry All-Ireland winner 1993	NA	1989	1991
Anthony Tohill	Ireland	Melbourne Demons reserves	Derry senior football team	Ireland (Inter-rules)	1990	1991
Brian Stynes	Ireland	AFL	Dublin All-Ireland winner 1995	Ireland (Inter-rules), Ireland (AR)	1992	1995
Tadhg Kennelly	Ireland	AFL premiership 2005	Kerry All-Ireland winner 2009	Ireland (Inter-rules)	2001	2009

Australian rules football to rugby union

As in rugby league and Australian rules, early in the history of the two codes in Australia the two codes were interchangeable. There is a much greater divide today. Jason Akermanis was the first professional Australian football player to suggest a switch to rugby union. Nevertheless, there are still some positions and roles that have commonalities. Also at amateur level, conversion is quite common, as in the case of many start-up Australian Rules clubs in countries such as France and developing Aussie Rules countries such as New Zealand and Samoa where there are dual-internationals at junior level.

Name	Country	Top Aussie rules Level	Top rugby union Level	Top representation level	Aussie Rules Debut	Rugby Union Debut
Nick Evans	New Zealand	Falcons Under 21	All Blacks	New Zealand U21 (AR), New Zealand (RU)
Rambo Tavana	Samoa	Samoa	Manu Samoa	Samoa (AR), Samoa (RU)
Mikaele Pesamino	Samoa	Samoa	Manu Samoa and Manu Sevens	Samoa (AR), Samoa (RU)	2002	2007
Alec Boswell Timms	Australia/Scotland	Victorian Football Association	Scotland/British Isles	Scotland/British Isles (RU)
Reg Morrison	Australia/Scotland	Geelong	Scotland/British Isles	Scotland/British Isles (RU)
Israel Folau	Australia	Greater Western Sydney	New South Wales	Australia (RU)	2011	2013
Karmichael Hunt	New Zealand/Australia	Gold Coast	Queensland Reds	Barbarian F.C.	2011	2009-2010 2015-
Stanis Susuve	Papua New Guinea	Gold Coast Papua New Guinea	Papua New Guinea sevens	Papua New Guinea	-	2014

Australian rules football to rugby league

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. 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 and in areas where both codes are played. League great Darren Lockyer played Aussie Rules at a junior level in Queensland, as did Marcus Bai in Papua New Guinea. Players of both codes at Junior levels have included Peter Sterling (League) and Paul Kelly (AFL). Greg Brentnall played Australian Football in Riverina in the 1960s before turning down an offer to play in the VFL/AFL and switching to rugby league taking up a contract with the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs in 1972.

Name	Country	Top Aussie rules Level	Top rugby league Level	Top representation level	Aussie Rules Debut	Rugby League Debut
Barry Spring	Australia	QAFL (Mayne)	QRL (Norths)	QRL First Grade premiership
Adrian Barich	Australia	AFL (West Coast)	ARL reserve grade	NSW, WA (AR)
Josh Hall	Australia	AFL (Gold Coast)	NRL (Penrith)	-	2012	-

From Canadian football

Canadian football to American football

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

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....

Gaelic football to Association football

Name	Country	Top Gaelic football Level	Top soccer level	Top representation level
Kevin Moran	Ireland	All-Ireland Football Championship winner with Dublin GAA	Football League First Division with Manchester United F.C.	Republic of Ireland national football team
Niall Quinn	Ireland	Dublin County Minor Team (both Gaelic Football & Hurling)	Premiership With Arsenal F.C., Manchester City F.C. & Sunderland A.F.C	Republic of Ireland national football team
Kevin Doyle	Ireland	Wexford County Minor Team	Premiership with Reading F.C. and Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C.	Republic of Ireland national football team
Shane Long	Ireland	Tipperary County Minor Team	Premiership With Reading F.C. and West Bromwich Albion F.C	Republic of Ireland national football team
Martin O'Neill	Ireland	Derry County Minor Team	Football League First Division and European Cup winner With Nottingham Forest	Northern Ireland national football team
Neil Lennon	Ireland	Armagh County Minor Team	Scottish Premier League With Celtic F.C.	Northern Ireland national football team
Cillian Sheridan	Ireland	Cavan County Minor Team	Scottish Premier League With Celtic F.C. and Motherwell F.C.; Football League Championship with Plymouth Argyle F.C.; Bulgarian premier league with CSKA Sofia.	Republic of Ireland national football team

• Jack Kirwan (Dublin GAA) / St James Gate, Tottenham Hotspur & Everton F.C.
• Val Harris (Dublin GAA) / Shelbourne & Everton FC
• Con Martin (Dublin GAA) / Leeds United, Aston Villa

Gaelic football to Australian rules football

See also: Irish experiment, Relationship between Gaelic football and Australian rules football, International rules football, Ireland national Australian rules football team, and Australian Rules Football League of Ireland

Like rugby union and league, the two codes share similarities, making switching between them a possibility. 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.

Name	Country	Top Gaelic level	Top Aussie rules level	Top representation level	Gaelic football Debut	Aussie Rules Debut
Sean Wight	Scotland	Kerry minor (Under-18)	AFL	NA	1982	1985
Paul Earley	Ireland	Gaelic Athletic Association	VFL	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	Gaelic Athletic Association	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	Gaelic Athletic Association	AFL	N/A	2009-
Jamie O'Reilly	Ireland	Gaelic Athletic Association	AFL	N/A	2010-
Zach Tuohy	Ireland	Gaelic Athletic Association	AFL	Ireland (Inter-rules)	2011-
Caolan Mooney	Ireland	Down GAA	AFL	N/A	2012-

Gaelic football to rugby union

See also: Comparison of Gaelic football and rugby union

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
David Beggy	Ireland	Meath senior football team	Leinster Rugby
Tommy Bowe	Ireland	Monaghan Minor (u-18) football team	Ulster Rugby, Ospreys	Ireland national rugby union team, British and Irish Lions
Shane Byrne	Ireland	Local minor (under-18) team	Leinster Rugby, Saracens	Ireland national rugby union team, British and Irish Lions
Mick Galwey	Ireland	Kerry County Team	Munster Rugby	Ireland national rugby union team
Brian Rigney	Ireland	Local Team, Laois	Leinster Rugby	Ireland national rugby union team
Brian Carney	Ireland	Local team	Munster Rugby	Ireland national rugby union team
Tomás O'Leary	Ireland	Cork Minors (captain)	Munster Rugby	Ireland national rugby union team
Moss Keane	Ireland	UCC GAA, Kerry under-21	Munster Rugby	Ireland national rugby union team, British and Irish Lions
Gavin Duffy	Ireland	Mayo GAA minor (under-18) football team	Connacht Rugby, NEC Harlequins	Ireland national rugby union team
Shane Horgan	Ireland	Meath GAA minor (under-18) football team	Leinster Rugby	Ireland national rugby union team, British and Irish Lions
Geordan Murphy	Ireland	Kildare GAA minor (under-18) football team	Leicester Tigers	Ireland national rugby union team, British and Irish Lions
Rob Kearney	Ireland	Louth GAA minor (under-18) football team	Leinster Rugby	Ireland national rugby union team, British and Irish Lions
Dick Spring	Ireland	Kerry GAA	Munster Rugby, London Irish	Ireland national rugby union team

NB: Byrne changed codes twice. He first switched to rugby union as a teenager, then returned to Gaelic football after a long professional rugby career. This entry discusses his Gaelic football career before his first code switch.

Gaelic football to rugby league

Name	Country	Top Gaelic football level	Top rugby league Level	Top representation level
Brian Carney	Ireland	Valleymount GAA (Local football team)	Super League / NRL	Great Britain (RL)

see also Category:Gaelic footballers who switched code

From rugby union

Rugby union to association football

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	Wales	2000s
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 Gaelic football

See also: Comparison of Gaelic football and rugby union

Name	Country	Top rugby union Level	Top Gaelic football Level	Top representation level	Playing Era
Shane Byrne	Ireland	Leinster Rugby, Ireland, British and Irish Lions	Aughrim GAA		1990s, 2000s
Eric Miller	Ireland	Old Wesley, Leicester Tigers, Leinster, the Barbarians, Ireland, British and Irish Lions	Dublin senior football team	Dublin senior football team	1990s, 2000s

Rugby league / rugby union

See also: Comparison of rugby league and rugby union and List of dual-code rugby internationals

Two of the closest codes, they share some similar skills. Until 1995 union was "officially amateur" and union players were offered money to switch codes. That trend has since reversed. Conversion from one code to the other is more difficult for forwards rather than backs where the similarities are most adjacent. It is worth noting that several players, including Iestyn Harris and Mat Rogers, have converted between the two codes on more than one occasion.

Rugby union to rugby league

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
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
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	---	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	Wallabies, Ireland	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 Muir 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	South Africa (RU)	1955-1963

Rugby union to American football

See also: Comparison of American football and rugby union

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.

Name	Country	Top rugby union level	Top American football level	Top representation level	Playing Era
Terry Price	Wales	British Lions, Wales, Llanelli RFC	NFL, Buffalo Bills	British Lions (RU), Wales (RU), Great Britain (RL), Wales (RL)	1960s…70s
Colin Scotts	Australia	Australian schoolboys	NFL	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–present
Stewart Bradley	United States	Highland High School, Salt Lake City, Utah	NFL, Philadelphia Eagles	N/A	2007–present
Hayden Smith	Australia	Saracens F.C.	NFL, New York Jets	USA Rugby	2012–present
Naas Botha	South Africa	South Africa	Dallas Cowboys try-outs	South Africa	1977-1992

Rugby union to Australian rules football

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	Top Aussie rules level	Top representation level	Rugby Union Debut	Australian Rules Debut
Mike Pyke	Canada	Top 14 (France)	AFL premiership 2012, Sydney Swans	Canada (rugby)	2002	2009
Karmichael Hunt	New Zealand, Australia	Top 14, Biarritz Olympique	AFL, Gold Coast		2009	2011

From rugby league

Rugby league to rugby union

See also: List of dual-code rugby internationals

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 union level	Top representation level	Rugby League Debut	Rugby Union Debut
Sam Burgess	England	National Rugby League, Super League	Aviva Premiership	England (NRL, RU), Great Brittan (NRL), NRL All-Stars (NRL)	2006	2014
Reece Robinson	Lebanon, Australia	National Rugby League	Super Rugby	Lebanon (NRL), Indigenous All-Stars (NRL)	2008	2016
Matt Duffie	New Zealand	National Rugby League	Super Rugby	New Zealand (NRL)	2010	2016
Karmichael Hunt	New Zealand, Australia	National Rugby League	Top 14, Biarritz Olympique	Australia (RL)	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), London Irish(RU)	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 Captain and 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)	1992	1998
Sonny Bill Williams	New Zealand	NRL	Top 14, Super Rugby	New Zealand Kiwis (RL), New Zealand All Blacks (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)	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	None	2006	2011

Rugby league to Australian rules football

In recent years, several junior and schoolboy rugby league players have made a transition to Australian rules, including Wayne Carey, Paul Kelly, Kieren Jack, Michael McLean, Andrew McLeod, Jared Brennan, Matthew Whelan, and Sam Gilbert.

Name	Country	Top rugby league level	Top Aussie Rules level	Top representation level	Rugby League Debut	Australian Rules Debut
Ray Smith	Australia	Queensland Rugby League	VFL	Queensland (RL)	1970	1971
Fabian Francis	Australia	Northern Territory Rugby League	Australian Football League	Northern Territory (RL) / Aboriginal All-Stars (AR)	1992	1993
Karmichael Hunt	Australia	National Rugby League	Australian Football League	Australian Kangaroos (RL)	2004	2009
Israel Folau	Australia	National Rugby League	Australian Football League	Australian Kangaroos	2007	2010

Rugby league to American football

On 3 March 2015 Jarryd Hayne became the first rugby league player to sign a contract with a National Football League team.

Name	Country	Top Rugby league level	Top American football level	Top representation level	Rugby league Debut	American football Debut
Jarryd Hayne	Australia	National Rugby League (with Parramatta)	National Football League (with San Francisco)	Australian Kangaroos / Fiji Bati	2006	2015

See also

• Comparison of American football and Canadian football
• Comparison of American football and rugby union
• Comparison of American football and rugby league
• Comparison of Canadian football and rugby union
• Comparison of Australian rules football and Gaelic football
• Comparison of Gaelic football and rugby union
• Comparison of rugby union and rugby league
• List of Australian rules footballers and cricketers
• List of cricket and rugby union players
• List of cricket and rugby league players