IN a rare moment for US television, a rugby test match was played on primetime television. And the viewer reaction was priceless.

The US may not be a big force in international rugby but the country has a long history of playing the game, thanks to their European roots.

Still, rugby is not ‘America’s game’. It is completely foreign to a majority of the population. There is no national professional league, and even though some colleges have excellent rugby programs, beyond that, participation in the sport isn’t very high.

So when NBC, a national television broadcaster, showed the USA play the All Blacks at Soldier’s Field, people didn’t quite know what to expect.

Some were fascinated by what they saw.

Watching team USA Rugby vs. The All Blacks. Rugby is crazy. — Dylaη Jones (@ItsDylanJones) November 1, 2014

Rugby is pretty wild — Dylan Jones (@DjonesBigWork) November 1, 2014

Switching channels between GT-Virginia game and the rugby game on NBC. Makes you realize how intense rugby is. — Cody Reynolds (@Cody_Reynolds22) November 1, 2014

Football players have NOTHING on Rugby. Turn on NBC and watch something truly incredible. Rugby is nuts!!!!! — #PanikAtTheFrisco (@jedijared182) November 1, 2014

Others proudly knew nothing about the sport, but understood things were not going in the favour of the home team.

Know absolutely nothing about Rugby. But The All Blacks beat the living daylights out of the USA — Eddie Mannix (@EJMannix) November 1, 2014

I don't know Rugby but I see USA lost 74-6 vs All Blacks. I do know one thing.Thats a blow out. Now New Zealand should play us in baseball — Anthony G (@antghibesi) November 1, 2014

As the bizarre US commentary team philosophised about how long it would be until the US were as good as the All Blacks (yep, that really happened), some viewers were dumbfounded that America could be beaten so soundly in the sporting arena.

I can't believe the USA Rugby Eagles did so bad against New Zealand All Blacks. 😓😞 #Rugby #USAvNZL — Brandon Chavez (@Bchavez1897) November 1, 2014

Come on, USA. We both know the All Blacks are amazing, but...so are we. Redeem thyselves! #rugby #USAvNZL #USAvAllBlacks — Brittany McChesney (@brittmick) November 1, 2014

In fact, many on social media were saying the broadcast commentary was actually the best part of the whole encounter.

Assuming most Americans were unfamiliar with the game, the rules of rugby were recited at every chance. However the use of US sports broadcast terminology in rugby coverage bordered on the ridiculous.

Can we please all call any linebreak in rugby a "rumble" from now on please. Thank you. #USAvAllBlacks — David McGovern (@daveo_irl) November 1, 2014

Just watched USA vs The All Blacks. Wow, American commentators make rugby even better. "And Israel Dagg crosses for a 5!" — A_Misty_Infidel (@A_Misty_Infidel) November 1, 2014

USA v NZ. American commentery is awesome #rugbyfordummies — Paul Clarke (@ClarkePaul1995) November 1, 2014

@PhilEganTodayFM 'both teams refusing to use special teams, incredible!' — Conor (@ConorLynch) November 1, 2014

NBC has given up commentating the game & are now talking about @AllBlacks players not eating deep dish pizza. — Kat Arnett (@katarnett) November 1, 2014

In addition to this, crazy facts (sometimes not even facts) about the All Blacks provided more amusement for viewers at home.

This included introducing multi-sport superstar Sonny Bill Williams as a “six-time boxing heavyweight champion”, which is evidently the same as winning six bouts.

US commentators just said that the @AllBlacks were better than the @chicagobulls of the nineties #highpraiseindeed — All Blacks (@AllBlacks) November 1, 2014

According to the US commentators all New Zealand babies have a rugby ball in their crib #calloftheday #USAvAllBlacks 6-43 — All Blacks (@AllBlacks) November 1, 2014

The Eagles were clinically beaten by the All Blacks, 74-6 in front of an impressive 60,000-strong crowd in Chicago.

There were high hopes for the US side to finally record a try against the World Cup champions, however they were unable to capitalise on their good field position early in the game.

The All Blacks will next play England in Twickenham, followed by Tests against Scotland and Wales, rounding out a hectic month for the Kiwis.

Originally published as US react hilariously to ‘nuts’ rugby