Rugby fans were left in disbelief at the incredible number of tackles a world-famous US special forces agent claims to have made during a match.
Retired U.S. Army Special Operations Sergeant Major John McPhee, also known as “The Sheriff of Baghdad,” spoke at The Joe Rogan Experiencewhen he recounted his time playing the sport while living in California.
He is a highly decorated Delta Force operator who has more than 20 years of service in the U.S. Army and has gained combat experience in multiple theaters, including Afghanistan and Iraq.
Delta Force, also known as the 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment-Delta, is one of the US military’s primary special operations units; McPhee has carried out a number of high-risk solo operations during his career, some of which took place behind the enemy. pattern.
He recalled how he first encountered the sport while living in Fort Bragg, northern California, and marveled at how brutal the sport is.
“I was at the PX (Post Exchange) and watched the Fort Bragg rugby team practice Tuesday at six,” he said while talking to Rogan.
Former US special forces agent John McPhee has divided some rugby fans on social media after claiming he had made 80 tackles during a rugby match.
He is a highly decorated Delta Force operator who has over 20 years of service in the US Army and has gained combat experience in multiple theaters, including Afghanistan.
‘So I just went out looking for something to do. And I’m going to tell you. If you think jujitsu screws people over, go play fucking rugby.
‘In fact, stay away from rugby. It’s fucking brutal.
“No helmets,” Rogan added. “No, nothing, man,” McPhee responded.
The retired master sergeant now works as a master instructor and subject matter expert, imparting his extensive and unparalleled combat knowledge to a variety of organizations, including military and law enforcement agencies, around the world.
Given his combat training, McPhee said he quickly took up rugby and explained that his coaches had marveled at his tackling ability, explaining that he once made 80 tackles in a match.
‘My first practice was crazy. The ball is there and one of my coaches says, “Grab the ball and run!”
“I just grabbed it and went around to each one of these little motherfuckers and then the guys were like, ‘Man, what college did you play for?'”
‘I was like: “Uhhh, none?” ‘I’ve never played a day of rugby in my (life),’ he said during the podcast.
Now retired, McPhee spoke on Joe Rogan’s podcast when he told how he started playing rugby while living in California.
Some social media users were divided by his comments, with many taking issue with McPhee’s claim that he made 80 tackles during one game.
‘My first game was my third practice. But practicing jujitsu and fighting people in Iraq every night, I thought rugby was pretty easy. The guy is running at me and I just have to take him down, double fucking legs.
“And then I started getting more tackles than anyone else, and my coach, who keeps statistics, was like, ’80 tackles a game, how do you do that?'”
‘It’s like a two-leg or one-leg takedown. Maybe a trip.
And then one of the coaches said, “How do you normally tackle? You get the most tackles.” I’m like two simple legs. I only taught them wrestling moves.
Reflecting on his use of jujitsu, Rogan chimed in asking, “Why don’t they teach them that? It would seem to be a good skill.”
“I bet the pro level motherfuckers are doing that, you gotta do it.”
‘I know a lot of linemen like cali for hand speed and stuff like that because they have to win hand fights.
“I know there are a lot of sports that use a lot of disciplines, so I imagine they would have to wrestle or tackle, the same as everyone else.”
For a Rugby World Cup match, the record for tackles made in 80 minutes is 28
Professional rugby teams regularly practice disciplines such as judo in training to hone their skills and knowledge in the contact area.
But some fans were divided over his claims, pointing out that rugby matches only last 80 minutes. That would mean he would have to make one tackle per minute, a feat many of the world’s best fullbacks wouldn’t even consider.
‘He lost me in 80 tackles. 80 minutes,” one wrote on X. “Even the best players would have suffered some kind of injury, with so many tackles per game,” another added.
’80 tackles in 80 minutes?’ added one.
The record for most tackles made in a Rugby World Cup match is 28, with Springboks legend Pieter-Steph du Toit, French goalkeeper Thierry Dusautoir, Wales number 8 Taulupe Faletau and Scotland’s Jonny Gray sharing the honour.
Others agreed with parts of his comments about wrestling. Many top level rugby teams work long hours in the gym practicing grappling and grappling techniques while looking for ways to outperform their opponents.
Even England rugby teams have worked with MMA coaches in the past as they seek to bolster their knowledge and versatility in the contact area.
“Probably more like 18,” one fan began to muse about McPhee’s tackle count, before adding: “But his point is valid.” Jujitsu requires in-depth practice with a minimum of two sessions per week, which would certainly be a contributing factor in addressing the acceleration of skills and competencies in rugby.’
Another agreed with McPhee, writing: “There is some truth to what he says: guys who wrestled in high school make the easiest transition to rugby of all the American sports because they understand leverage, so it’s not necessary teach them to tackle, ruck.” , etc…’