I realize this is almost like a religious division. But I had to ask. For me, definitely Union. At least that seems to be the more glamarous code with bigger exposure through their world cup. I also liked watching the tri-nations. And now the Super-12 are just starting up. I've never watched it before, but I'll just check it out. I didn't really like watching the NPC. I watched the last 2 NRL grand finals and really found them boring. Haven't watched the Super League grand final, they don't televise it in America.
nothing equealled jonah lomu at his best not even drop kick wilkinson so i would say rugby for me but this dosnt mean i hate league i support the brisbane broncos
Rugby Union because 1) Rugby SEvens Tourney 2) Rugby World Cup 3) My school has a Rugby Union team 4) My city has a Rugby Union team
Not a freak of nature like Lomu, but this guy was pretty decent too. I prefer Union, mostly because I've played Union and haven't watched enough League. Both have their pros and cons of course.
BTW, Rugby League has had (will most likely have) their own World Cup too. But this event is nowhere as big as Rugby Union's World Cup. (Low attendances, less global TV coverage). http://rl1908.com/rugby-league-books/WorldCup.htm http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_league/world_cup_2000/default.stm http://www.itv.com/news/280500.html Until about 1995, Union was the less glamarous code compared to League (at least on a global scale). In my view, the 1995 Rugby Union World Cup in South Africa (and Jonah Lomu exploding on the scene then) is what gave a lot of glamor to Union. I think the explosion of satellite TV around that time, and a bit of arrogance by the League people might have helped Union here too. One of the "sport" related memory that has stuck clearly in my mind is watching the opening ceremony of the 1995 Rugby Union World Cup live, with a speech by Nelson Mandela. Before, Union players used to transfer to League for lure of more money in Australia. Now, it seems the other way round, with League stars moving over to Union due to better global exposure. Wendell Sailor, Matt Rogers are examples. Even Rugby League's biggest star Andrew Johns has been mulling a move over to Union. http://www.abc.net.au/sport/content/s1023676.htm Of course, there are others who are conviced that League is the superior sport and think it will again become bigger than Union. http://foxsports.news.com.au/story/0,8659,8429521-23217,00.html Like I said in the beginning. This is almost like a religous divide.
Also for a background on the famous divorce, check out this article. It is written from League's perspective, but has a lot of good historical info. http://www.rl1895.com/rugby-divide.htm I don't know if there is any such article written from Union's perspective. I suppose there might even be books written on this topic.
I like Union more, indeed I find League intensely boring. I admit I'm biased as I played Union as a kid, but there you go. I think that there is more flow to the game in Union, the arbitrary way you have to give up the ball after six tackles in League annoys me. The defending team just have to make six tackles and they get the ball back, they haven't "won" it back in my book. It's like the downs system in American Football, I just hate it. Also, Union is a more technically demanding game, with properly contested scrums, lineouts, rucks, mauls etc. Whatever you say, there are particlular skills that are needed in all these facets of play that League has done away with. I think Union players have to be more all-round ballplayers than in League. People who are fairly new to the sport can and do complain about kicking the ball away, but to long-time watchers of the game a kicking duel can be as interesting as a good 0-0 draw in football (although I fear those same complainants would whinge about those too and want bigger goals or shorter keepers or something). And some of those still like to watch American Football. Kicking the ball for position is exactly the same as a punt for God's sake!
Joint League-Union venture Here is bizzare story of a joint League-Union venture. New Zealand Warriors (which is a club Rugby League team in the NRL - yes, a club despite the "New Zealand" name) wanting to fund a Super 12 Union team for a number of Polynesian islands. And this team will be made up of League players! http://foxsports.news.com.au/story/0,8659,8761128-23214,00.html http://foxsports.news.com.au/story/0,8659,8761126-23217,00.html http://foxsports.news.com.au/story/0,8659,8764454-23217,00.html I feel such a venture would run into a lot of problems (not just political but pure logistical as well).
Union all the way! League is for fools who want Really Basic one on one takles & Basic rules and a boring game. UNion is a strategic game and shows great skill and strength of thes big men. Union is also played in many places whereas League is basically Australian NRL and England with NZ on the side.
art, I've played both, plus the other two football codes (Aussie Rules & Soccer) in Australia. I prefer to watch Rugby League but play Rugby Union (it's not as physical as League). BTW, I spent a month in Portland Me with friends, this time last year. Is the snow as heavy this year ? Cheers. Andy T.
Don't know the best to put this (no clearcut thread for League, and don't want to start one just for this). Canterbury Bulldogs Rugby League team from the NRL dogged by ugly accusations. http://foxsports.news.com.au/story/0,8659,8768354-23214,00.html http://foxsports.news.com.au/story/0,8659,8785882-27561,00.html http://foxsports.news.com.au/story/0,8659,8785886-23214,00.html http://foxsports.news.com.au/story/0,8659,8781817-23214,00.html http://foxsports.news.com.au/story/0,8659,8784808-23214,00.html http://foxsports.news.com.au/league/gallery/0,8667,,00.html The problem obviously has nothing to do with the sport of Rugby League per se. Here is a good article discussing the malaise hitting most major sports worldwide. http://foxsports.news.com.au/story/0,8659,8782810-23214,00.html
Usually it is, we havent had much snow this year though. Sucks for cross x skiing but all the resorts make their own snow anyway so they're doing ok. It's been colder than a witches' tit though, my water pipes have frozen twice thus far. Next time youre in town PM me and I'll get you proper drunk. I have to admit I'm really no good at either League or Union, but I have fun at it. I can't find a League club around here, though there are a few Union clubs.
without the downs system american football would be awfully boring to atch. there would be very little incentive for conservative by nature coaches (meaning all of them, in my opinion) to throw the ball. they would just run it up the middle constantly. if you don't like the 4 down system in american football, try and watch canadian football, which has a 3 down system.
Check this out regarding the demographics of people who suppprt tackle football in Australia: Union or League? Some mention of Australian Football in it as well. http://foxsports.news.com.au/story/0,8659,8800592-23211,00.html
people say AFL here in Australia and elsewhere but it isn't. Only in Victoria it is and rugby in the states of QLD & NSW but i believe that football is the 'underground' sport. It has a huge base but isn't tapped into properly. If it was it would beat Union, a code of rugby i love
What about AusKick? Isn't that some kind of grassroots movement to get as many kids as possible recruited into football (before they get lured to any of the 2 rugby codes)? Is AusKick spread out in all the states, or is it mostly a Victoria thing? Also, I was curious about the exposure of Rugby League in Western Australia. Do they have any NRL live broadcasts in Perth at all? BTW, the NRL seems to have serious image problems right now with the Bulldogs ugly scandal (losing sponsorship money etc.) Maybe the right time for Union and Australian Football to snatch this opportunity to lure fans away from League?
Auskick is in all states - doing very well in New South Wales and Queensldand now. I lived in South Australia for 2 years (2000,2001) and AFL is the main game there by so far it's not funny. In all the time there I only saw 2 rugby league games on network TV - the 2 grand finals which were shown late at night. Wallabies union games were shown. The funny thing about the Bulldogs scandal is that everyone knows that this stuff has gone on for years in all the major sports - just the Bulldogs got caught going to far (allegedly). As one unnamed union gy was quoted as saying - when we do it at least we give the girl a kiss afterwards.