In a world of constant change, one thing always remains the same: sports are a huge part of our culture. From basketball to football to rugby, there is a sport out there for everyone.
Indeed, many also enjoy wagering on the sports that are available, with some continuing to participate in soccer betting as they find it a way of being able to enhance their passion and love for the game, using provincial platforms like Betway.
Indeed, while most of us are content to stick with the one or two sports we are good at, some athletes have the skill and drive to succeed at multiple sports due to the passion that they have.
Here are five players who made a successful switch from Rugby League to Rugby Union
- Sonny Bill Williams
Sonny Bill Williams is one of the most well-known rugby league players in the world. He started his career in 2004 with the Canterbury Bulldogs and quickly made a name for himself as one of the best young players in the game. He played rugby league for a long period before making the switch to rugby union where he was also very successful. However, he did not stay in rugby, as he is now a professional boxer who has an undefeated record of nine fights and nine wins in the heavyweight division.
- Sam Burgess
Like Sonny Bill Williams, Sam Burgess was a star player in the rugby league before making the switch to rugby union. Burgess played for England in the 2015 Rugby World Cup but failed to make an impact and was widely criticized for his performance. He returned to rugby league shortly afterward and had managed to regain his status as one of the best players in the game before a chronic shoulder injury forced him into early retirement.
- Israel Folau
Israel Folau is another player who made a successful switch from rugby league to rugby union. Folau started his career in 2007 with the Melbourne Storm and quickly became one of the best players in the NRL. He made his debut for Australia in 2013 and was a key member of their 2015 Rugby World Cup squad. Folau switched back to Rugby League, though, and has been playing for the Shining Arcs in Japan, while also representing Tonga, thus making him an attractive proposition for those who like to wager with Betway when the team competes on the field.
- Lote Tuqiri
Lote Tuqiri is a dual-code international rugby player who has represented Australia in both rugby union and rugby league. Tuqiri started his career in 2000 with the Brisbane Broncos and played rugby league until he switched codes in 2003. He won the 2003 Rugby World Cup with Australia before returning to rugby league in 2009.
- Karmichael Hunt
Karmichael Hunt is a former Australian professional footballer who played rugby league and rugby union at the highest level. Hunt started his career in 2005 with Brisbane Broncos and represented Australia at both under-19 and under-21 level before making his senior debut in 2007. Off-field incidents have since blighted his career, although he has since played rugby union for NSW Waratahs and rugby league for Brisbane Broncos in recent years.
Conclusion
While most athletes stick to just one sport, there are some who have proven themselves by successfully making the switch from one sport to another. These five athletes all started their careers playing rugby league before making the move to either rugby union or football. While some have had more success than others, all of them have shown that they have what it takes to compete at the highest level in multiple sports.
