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Christian Wade has made an emphatic start to his NFL career with an audacious 59-metre touchdown.
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The NFL’s official Twitter account posted the match highlight, which shows Wade doubtlessly winning over countless fans with his first touch of the football.
The reaction to Christian Wade’s stunning solo touchdown against Indianapolis Colts was overwhelmingly positive. In the fourth quarter of the game, Wade managed to run 50 metres of the pitch completely unchallenged. Wade’s uncertainty about where to go once he scored the touchdown spoke volumes about how new the former Wasps man is to the American game.
The video of his touchdown has already amassed 1.1 million views on Buffalo Bills‘ Twitter account.
The former England international showed off his trademark pace, receiving the ball on his own 30-yard line then skipping through the defence to net his team the 6-pointer.
The commentators were in raptures with Christian Wade’s score – but perhaps not as much as the Buffalo fans.
“They are going crazy for their friend from England,” said one commentator.
Since the game, Wade has enjoyed a flurry of positive exposure from American sports media. The Buffalo Bills’ Twitter account even named itself a “Christian Wade fan account until further notice”.
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This a Christian Wade fan account until further notice.
More #INDvsBUF photos: https://t.co/ihWtCgQgWR pic.twitter.com/MhzbiHbJ25
— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) August 9, 2019
Many fans were keen to comment on how bizarre the situation was. With some comparing it to an NFL star in the English domestic football league scoring an overheard goal on their first appearance. Wade appeared to be very smooth in the moments where he was involved for the American outfit.
It’s like Odel Beckham scoring an overhead kick on his first touch for Burnley (in a preseason friendly).
— Stu Bennett (@StuBennett) August 9, 2019
Others were keen to make witty remarks about the 28-year-old’s change in sports. It’s clear to see that Wade will continue to be labelled as a rugby man for months to come.
He didn’t even….try…
— Bobby Boswell (@bobbyboswell) August 9, 2019
Bills fans were clearly very happy to hear that Wade was impressing for their team. Even if it was a pre-season game.
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I’m a biased Bills fan, but what a cool story. The Bills sign British rugby star Christian Wade and he runs for a 65 yard touchdown on his first ever touch. Is it the preseason? Yes. But it’s what makes #SportsGreat #HappyFriday https://t.co/SfoMF2z1pd
— David Kaplan (@DKaplanFox5DC) August 9, 2019
“This NFL is easy…”
— J. (@socalsabresfan) August 9, 2019
Some fans even rated Wade above other Bills regulars, down to his powerful running which earned him a name in rugby.
Wade above Perry and Murphy imo because when he took off on the run everyone noticed his speed, he’s also a tough runner because of rugby. Yeldon definitely had the worst night of them all. Murphy and Perry were solid. It’s just power rankings they can change drastically.
— Buffalo Sports Talk (@BUFSportsTalk) August 9, 2019
Wade still has a very long way to go in the American game. But moments like this will raise his stock in the sport tenfold.
Comments on RugbyPass
The value he brought to the crusaders as an assistant was equal to what he got out of being there. He reflected not only on the team culture but also the credit he attributed to the rugby community. Such experience shouldn’t be overlooked.
3 Go to commentsGood luck Aussie
10 Go to commentssmith at 9 / mounga 10 / laumape 12 / fainganuku 14
51 Go to commentsBar the injuries, it’s pretty much their top team …
2 Go to commentsDon’t disagree with much of this but it appears you forgot Rodda and Beale, who started at the Force on the weekend.
10 Go to commentsExcept for the injured Zach Gallagher this would be Saders best forward pack for the season. Blackadder needs to stay at 7, for all of Christies tackling he is not dominant and offers very little else. McNicholfullback is maybe a good option, Fihaki not really upto it, there was a reason Burke played there last year. Maybe Havilli to 2nd five McLeod to wing. Need a strong winger on 1 side to compliment Reece
1 Go to commentsTo me TJ is clearly the best 9 in the competition right now but he's also a proven player off the bench, there's few playmaking players who can come off the bench as calm and settled as he is, Beauden can, TJ can and I doubt any of the scrumhalves in contention can, if they want to experiment with new 9s I want him on the bench ready to step in if they crumble under the pressure. The Boks put their best front row on the bench, I'd like to see us take a similar approach, the Hurricanes have been doing similar things with players like Kirifi.
51 Go to commentsROG has better chance to win a WC if he starts training and make himself eligible as a player. He won’t make the Ireland squad but I reckon he may get close with Namibia (needs to improve his Afrikaans) or Portugal. Both sides had 1000:1 odds to win the RWC in 2023 which is an improvement on ROG’s odds of winning a RWC as a coach. Unlike Top 14 teams, national teams can’t go shopping and buy the best players - you work with the available talent pool and turn them into world beaters.
3 Go to commentsthat backline nope that backline is terrible why would you have sevu Reece when he’s not even top 5 wingers in the comp why have Blackadder when there’s better players no Scott barret isn’t an automatic the guy is more of a liability than anything why have him there when you have samipeni who’s far far better
51 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
51 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
51 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
51 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
17 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. All the Kiwis sticking up for this unprincipled individual because they can't accept justified criticism, he has zero credibility or integrity. Those praising him are a joke.
17 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
51 Go to commentsTamati Williams, Codie Taylor, and Same Cane? Not sure about Hoskins Sotutu at test level. Wasn’t that impressive last season. Need a balance between experience and talent/youth.
51 Go to commentsInteresting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
17 Go to commentsThey played at night in Suva last weekend and it’s an afternoon game forecast for 19 degrees in Canberra this weekend. Heat change is a non issue.
2 Go to commentsWishing Rosie a speedy recovery
1 Go to comments