Aussie fans have slammed ESPN for leaving three of the country’s most popular sports off its list of the world’s ‘hardest sports’.
The US-based broadcaster listed Boxing, Ice Hockey, American Football, Basketball and Wrestling in its top five.
Aussies were left fuming that rugby league and rugby union did not make the list.
‘Ever heard of Rugby League?’ one wrote on Facebook.
‘Tell me you have never left the US without telling me,’ another said.
‘Rugby League harder than any of them,’ one fan continued.
‘Haha!! Football! Try Rugby League,’ another said.
Others were outraged that AFL did not make the cut.
Rugby League has been subbed from a list rattling off the five hardest sports in the world (pictured, Nathan Cleary)
‘AFL is absolutely one of the most demanding sports,’ one wrote.
‘No other field sport do players travel the distance AFL players do.’
‘Aussie rules is the most gruelling and most athletic,’ a second added.
ESPN’s list also did not include any motorsports, despite athletes risking their lives every time they compete.
Despite the broadcaster leaving rugby league and rugby union off their list, many Americans do understand how difficult the sports are.
Hollywood star Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson has been quite vocal about his respect for both codes.
‘I use to live in New Zealand for sometime and I went to school in New Zealand and I played rugby,’ he said in 2012.
‘I have been very lucky, I played American football for a very long time, American professional wrestling for a very long time and had my fair share of action in Hollywood … there is no tougher sport than rugby.
Rugby Union has also been left off the list – in a surprise to many fans (pictured, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii)
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‘And for those who have played it and understand the game know what I am talking about.
‘Those who don’t and I have this argument with my American buddies all the time… I tell them, “So as amazing as you are in football I want you to take all your pads off including your helmet and go play the game and see how long you last”.’
Johnson has also been a supporter of Rugby League in the past.
He featured in a promotional video for State of Origin in 2012 and publicly backed the Samoan team during their journey at the 2022 Rugby League World Cup.
