ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Superbowl winner Nate Ebner scores twice but also gets smashed on rugby return

BY Grant Constable  ·  Monday Apr 18, 2016

Nate Ebner knows a little something about high pressure environments, so it was no surprise that the Singapore Sevens did little to throw him off his game when he made a return to rugby after so many years out at the highest level.

The 2015 Superbowl Champion picked scored a brace, but was also welcomed back with a big hit.

Ebner was granted a special release from the New England Patriots – who he signed with for another two years in March – so that he can pursue his dream of playing rugby for his country at the Rio Olympics.

He first made the USA Sevens team at the tender age of 17, but later thrived in the NFL, culminating in victory in the Superbowl last year. The rugby dream has always been there though, so he has given it another crack in the hopes of getting a shot at the Olympics.

All eyes were on the 27-year-old when the USA took on Portugal, and it was clear that he is capable of the hard graft, as he got himself in good positions to pick up a brace of tries.

Crunched

Against France however, Ebner was welcomed back to rugby by big Fijian born Virimi Vakatawa, who slammed him to the turf in a crunching tackle.

It looked like the only person who bought the dummy as his own teammate.


Physically Demanding

Although he played 15-a-side rugby for the USA at junior level, upon returning to the sport Ebner has seen how physically taxing it can be, especially when playing Sevens. 

“I would say that rugby sevens training is one of the toughest I’ve ever had to go through.

“You don’t get better at it until you push yourself to the point of exhaustion, where instead of resting, you have to keep on working harder. When I’m training for the NFL, I’m used to a lot of heavy lifting, explosive movements and high-effort workouts,” he explained.

“But these things are usually done for brief moments. So it’s not as taxing on your body as compared to the shock your nervous system gets [in sevens] when your cardiovascular system is pushed to the limit time and again.

“It takes a lot of getting used to, especially for the bigger guys. It’s not fun, but that’s the sacrifice you have to make if you want to play the game at a top level.”

From what he has shown so far, he certainly has the ingredients to make it to the Olympics, and while he still has a bit of time to show his talent on the World Sevens Series circuit, his collegiate rugby highlights do a pretty good job of showing off exactly what he has to offer.

credit: worldrugby/usasevens

ADVERTISEMENT

Related Articles

  • 29 WEEKS AGO

    Debate rages on after Maro Itoje sent to...

  • 31 WEEKS AGO

    Fiji Drua player Lomani slapped with ban...

  • 41 WEEKS AGO

    The sending off that rocked the Six Nations...



ADVERTISEMENT

Great Tries

  • 3 DAYS AGO

    Fans in awe as Joyce finishes ‘impossible’ solo try

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    WATCH: Outlandish Jacob Stockdale finish is truly world class

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Ulster denied THE GREATEST URC try you will ever see!

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Capuozzo break sets Dupont up for hatrick on return

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Fans praise 'Dom Perignon Rugby' as Irish players prepare for final match of South African tour

View All

Big Hits & Dirty Play

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    WATCH: The biggest hit from week one of the Autumn Nations Series

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    'Cheap shot' from Leicester Tigers vs Northampton Saints causing a stir online

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Wild moment leads to all in brawl during Welsh derby between Cardiff and Scarlets

  • 7 WEEKS AGO

    South African school boy makes the greatest tackle ever

  • 7 WEEKS AGO

    Huge guillotine tackle divides fans in viral footage

View All

See It To Believe It

  • 3 DAYS AGO

    Fans in awe as Joyce finishes ‘impossible’ solo try

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Insane moment as french backrow waves off medic and smokes Ange Capuozzo

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible drop goal helps break 25-match losing streak

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Leinster fly half delivers insane 50:22 after being given start for Emerging Ireland

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    French scrumhalf drills perfect shot at goal under outrageous circumstances

View All

Funnies

  • 5 DAYS AGO

    “Put that in the book” - Rieko Ioane’s explosive post reignites feud with Sexton

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    Mischievous Marcus Smith spotted engaging in the dark arts during All Blacks match

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Jonny Sexton: 'Fondest memory of the Heineken Cup in 2011?' - 'Gordon D'Arcy's bar' and 'Coppers'

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Watch: Mike Haley's post match interaction with RG Snyman leaves no doubt about where Munster players stand

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    The rugby guy and Mack Hansen drop an all time BANGER with latest video

View All

Amateur

  • 96 WEEKS AGO

    You Won’t See Many Better Than This Silky-Smooth Try From Llandovery RFC

  • 96 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes As Caldy RFC Hand Ealing First Championship Defeat Of The Season

  • 119 WEEKS AGO

    Dubious Score Decides Result Of Rugby's Biggest Schools Fixture

  • 119 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes At School Boys Rugby Match

  • 120 WEEKS AGO

    The Next Dominant Backrow?

View All

Player Features

  • 1 DAY AGO

    Anthony Watson exclusive: 'I wouldn't be surprised if England win'

  • 5 DAYS AGO

    It’s a 9.5/10 for Joseph-Aukuso Sua’ali’i

  • 5 DAYS AGO

    “Put that in the book” - Rieko Ioane’s explosive post reignites feud with Sexton

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    Should Steve Borthwick have brought on George Ford? Or trusted in Marcus Smith?

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Louis Rees-Zammit opens up about his biggest shock in chasing NFL dream

View All