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[Richiban]

Hey all.

Now that I've got cable again, I can watch Rugby and it's been a while since I've done so.

Anyways, I was watching Rugby last night, Paramatta at Melbourne and I was confused. Where're the rucks and mauls? When did they wussify the sport?

Is there a reason for no rucks and mauls as opposed to other leauges and fixtures?

 

[pulsemyne]

Sounds like you were watching Rugby league as opposed to Rugby union. Both games are played differantly.

 

[Richiban]

Yeah, that's it.

I was watching the Rugby League.

I found the game to be more boring than union:

Run a few steps, get held up, drop the ball, pass it, run a few steps, drop the ball, pass it, and so on.

What's the point of defense if it's going to be played like that.

 

[DCharlie]

it depends what you are brought up with.

Strangely, i was brought up watching League but played Union (mainly - with literally a few games of league).

Union i find much more boring to watch. Too much kicking, and too much emphasis on converting penalties. Where as with League, it's all about try scoring.

League however is faster with more running and different skill set totally. Next to no kicking as well.

"When did they wussify the sport?"

hmm, i'd hardly call League wussified. But it's true you are less likely to get people stamping all over you.

 

[pulsemyne]

Ah never deny your UK background DCharlie! Being Welsh its true to say the game is a religion in this country.Never Have I seen so many pissed up people after Wales won the Six nations. What a Day!

 

[Richiban]

DCharlie:

Thanks for more clarification. I have noticed a difference in skill sets. It's obvious in that league games are generally more high scoring and a lot faster. The last union game I watched had a score of something like 14 - 10 or thereabouts.

I suppose I should give League more of a chance, but as you said, it's all dependent on what you were brought up on. It's obvious I was reared on Union.

 

[pulsemyne]

This will help you in regard to the rules of Rugby League

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rugby_League

There is also a link there for the rules of rugby union. Should help you understand the game a bit more.

 

[DCharlie]

yeah, and of course League is a bit of a "north of england" thing.

Even in my crappy little home town, we have a Rubgy league team. Actually, they have become pretty damned good over the last few seasons (Whitehaven RLFC).

I like watching Aussie RL because, well, those guys are out and out athletes. British RL teams... err... tend to have drank too many pints and ate a truck load of pies.

 

[Pug]

Hey DC nothing boring about Wales in this years 6 nations. They played a quick game moving the ball very quickly from contact (ruck and mauls), and broke every defence to peices and won every match by scoring tries, except for England when a last minute penalty won it, but it was thrilling none the less. Oh and to be in Cardiff the day of the Ireland match was something, over 200,000 people in the City centre and that wasn't including the 75,000 in the stadium (which is plum in the middle of the city centre), god it was one hell of a party that day. Apparently on that Saturday 15 million pound was spent on Booze and food alone, I know contributed £100 but at least its only once every 28 years!

 

[DCharlie]

Yeah, i watched the Ireland v Wales game whilst back in the UK. Wales did indeed look the part.

I won't patronise and say "oh, this is great for northern hemisphere rugby" (although i guess it is - i just HATE England RUFC fans! ) , but it was great to see a 6 nations tournament where you have 4 teams who looked like they could win it.

I enjoy the whole British rivalry to be honest, as long as it doesn't get too mad and stupid it goes a long way to making sports like the 6 nations intensely interesting.

 

[Richiban]

This will help you in regard to the rules of Rugby League

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rugby_League

There is also a link there for the rules of rugby union. Should help you understand the game a bit more.

Thanks for the link!

It rules.

 

[Deleted member 1235]

Rugby league is arguably harder on the body than union, because you are constantly running smack into each other, countered by no rucks and mauls though. Try and get coverage of the Super 12 tournament (NZ, Australia, South Africa). For some top Quality rugby watch games with the Warratahs (Aussie top of the table) and the hurricanes and crusaders matches (2nd equal)

Go the 'Canes.

 

[Nerevar]

as a Yank with my only exposure to rugby coming from studying in Australia for a semester, I found rugby union to be much more interesting than league. League just sort of seemed like a watered down version of American football (to my untrained eyes), whereas union was a completely seperate game with totally different skill sets. Of course, I was probalby influenced greatly by the people I stayed with, so you migh be best taking my advice with a grain of salt.

edit: I was there during the tri-nations cup (or something like that), and the intensity was pretty neat. Totally different than professional atheletes over here.

 

[speedpop]

Rugby League has definitely changed over the past 10-15 years. It's become a shit load more athletic, back when forwards were mainly used for short sprints and hard hit-ups (which is still the main idea) but there are plenty of forwards in Australian teams that can run a mile like a bull.. of course not to point of a fast winger but some can reach near there. You see a lot of backs and centre's make bigger tackles these days too.

As far as excitement, I love watching both.. just depends on what occasion. For Rugby League, you can't go past State of Origin matches - some of the hardest hitting and adrenaline pumped games ever.

Rugby Union you can't go past any international matches since there are quite a lot of top tier teams internationally when compared to Rugby League.

 

[DCharlie]

what speedpop says

the only problem is that some rugby league games, if both teams effectively nullify each other defensively, can be utterly UTTERLY boring.
Likewise, a union game which becomes a kick contest because of the same thing. Sometimes it can be exciting, but i personally find that ref'ing decissions start to play too much of a roll in those particular games.

However, nothing is more exciting that a total try fest with both teams going over ever few attacks.

 

[Meatpuppet]

As an Irishman, the Wales-Ireland match made me want to cry.

Especially after big-upping our chances this year.

To every Welshman in uni...

Such is life.