England Rugby stars Danny Cipriani and Dylan Hartley have tried their luck at the American football Jeep Wrangler Trick Shot Challenge ahead of England’s Rugby World Cup semi-final against the All Blacks tomorrow and American football taking place in London this weekend.
The duo were joined by American footballers and brothers Patrick and Jack Daley. Patrick is the starting quarter-back for the Great Britain Lions team, while Jack is the kicker for the London Blitz and were tasked with teaching the rugby players how to take on their three challenges.
First up the England internationals were brought to the top of a derelict building in the London Docklands, where they were asked to attempt to throw a ‘spiral shot’ into the back of a Jeep Wrangler which was being driven by Jack Daley.
Both tried their luck on multiple occasions, with Cipriani hitting the bonnet and side of the jeep, before Hartley managed a 50 yard shot into the off-road vehicle.
However, next up it was the same challenge except Jack Daley asked them to kick it instead. As imagined, Cipriani claimed this task with a lovely kick from 60 yards.
In the winner takes all final challenge they had to hit a ‘Hail Mary’ pass into the back of the moving Wrangler once more, with Patrick Daley hitting the shot first time. The Englishmen tried to replicate it several times until Hartley eventually slotted the ball into the back, and claiming the title of the trick shot challenge.
Speaking after the event Cipriani admitted it he was delighted to take part as he is a massive fan of the sport.
“I’m a big American football fan having spent some time with a team over in the US taking part in a training session. So, I couldn’t turn down the opportunity to spend the day mucking around with an American football while trying to get one over Dylan and attempting some epic trick shots into the back of a moving Wrangler,” he said.
While Hartley was just happy to be out and about as he continues his rehabilitation from injury which forced him out of selection for the England squad for the World Cup as he could not find enough game time.
“Most of my time at the moment is spent doing injury rehab so it’s been nice to do something a bit different. There’s definitely some transferable skills between rugby and American football – although attempting to get an American football into the back of a moving Jeep Wrangler made the learning process more complicated,” he said.
With their country playing in the semi-finals tomorrow, both gave their views on the game and are positive that England will show no fear ahead of taking on the back to back Webb Ellis Cup holders.
“There’s no fear factor, it’s probably what the media create around it, there’s never a fear factor in playing them. Previously in the last two decades they have been the most dominant team because they consistently produce great players and good coaches. The way that England prepare will be very meticulous and down to a tee for the weekend,” Cipriani said.
Hartley agreed with Cipriani’s views and believes that although his side are underdogs heading into the game they are well capable of turning over their opponents.
“I have no doubt that England can beat them. The team that we played last November we came within a point, which is obviously frustrating, we had a try disallowed with Courtney’s offside, so the team will believe. The throwback to when we beat them at Twickenham a few years back and Manu had his day and he did whatever he wanted so the players will run with that belief again in the team,” he added.
Both players will be watching on as England take on the All Blacks tomorrow hoping they can cause a big upset. However, they will quickly focus their attention to their club sides as Hartley’s Northampton take on Worcester in the Gallagher Premiership round two before Cipriani’s Gloucester face Wasps later in the day.
Check Out the Video of How the Rugby Stars got on Below.
