American television network NBC made a groundbreaking broadcasting decision over the weekend when they decided to screen Saturday’s International Test Match between New Zealand’s All Blacks and America’s Eagles.

The match, which took place on Chicago’s Soldier Field, was extremely one-sided, with the All Blacks delivering a 74-6 thrashing.

American audiences, however, weren’t so much concerned with the scoreline as they were with the intensity and brutality of the game itself.

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

US viewers typically prefer to watch slightly less violent sports like American football, baseball or basketball, but the All Blacks’ impressive performance seemed to earn them some new fans.

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

“Rugby on NBC is reminding me how lame the NFL can be,” one Twitter user wrote, while another added: “Want to feel less masculine? Turn on the All Blacks on NBC”.

Some recognised the opportunity for some crossover between the sports, with one social media user suggesting that NFL coaches should “start recruiting Rugby players to be Running Backs”.

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

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

While many were impressed by the spectacle, there were a few viewers who left confused by the specific set of rules.

“Watching this rugby game on NBC,” Twitter user James Thrasher wrote, “and just when I think I’ve figured it out, a bunch of dudes start rolling on the ground.”