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Former England international Christian Wade has been cut by the Buffalo Bills – denting his fledgling hopes in his new sport.
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Wade – who switched to the NFL last year – was among 31 players that that failed to make the final Buffalo Bills roster, despite having scored a touchdown with his first competitive touch of an American football.
Wade has a roster exemption so the NFL franchise can keep him on their practice squad for a full year, potentially giving the 28-year-old a further year to learn his trade.
The cut comes despite highlight reel displays in his new sport. A 65-yard touchdown in his first game and a 47-metre mazy run in his second game caught the attention of American media, and many pundits tipped the former Wasps winger as having a real chance of making the Bills roster despite his lack of experience in the game.
His final pre-season running back audition against the Vikings was more workmanlike than his previous two outings.
The best of the Brits last night! ??@ChristianWade3 ? @BuffaloBills @Humbleebeast_ ? @Browns @ScottishHammer7 ? @Browns @EfeObadaUK ? @Panthers pic.twitter.com/zJRo0GohCW
— NFL UK & Ireland (@NFLUKIRE) August 30, 2019
Wade was also the second-fastest NFL player clocked on the first weekend of pre-season games, reaching a speed of 21.01 mph (33.8km) according to NFL’s Next Gen Stats.
“He real fast,” running back teammate Frank Gore told Buffalonews.com. “Real fast.”
As part of the NFL’s International Player Pathway program, four teams carried an additional overseas player on their practice squads for the 2019 season.
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As well as Wade, Australian NRL player Valentine Holmes, joined the New York Jets. Holmes has also been cut.
This week on the Bill Ellis Podcast: McOnie, Mils, & Bates take a deep dive into the All Blacks‘ RWC squad and how it shapes up against their biggest rivals. Plus we’re into round 4 of the Mitre 10 Cup where a host of mouthwatering clashes await.
