League is better than Union!
August 19th 2008 13:28
10 years ago, I would never have thought I would ever say this, but Rugby league is clearly a better game than Rugby Union!
I have been brought up in a rugby union family where almost every single male relative has played rugby for their entire adolesence and when it comes to family get togethers, there was one thing that was always brought up - the All Blacks (oh, and beer!). So, I am writing from very much a pro-union perspective when I say union has lost the plot!
The tackle ball situation is far too complex! Not only does the referee have over one hundred different laws to police but the laws enable a vastly different interpretation to be made from one official to the next. When it comes to ruck time it is an absolute lottery who is going to be penalised (or free-kicked with the new ELVs). The ref has ample opportunity to single out at least one out of the 8-10 players at a ruck and ping him for infringing on one of the one hundred different laws.
It is no wonder a referee these days never seems to have a good game with the whistle. The laws of the game leave referees open to interpretation and perspective. With players and fans desperate for their team to win, they jump on the back of the referee should he make, what in their mind is perceived as an error, but in another fans mind maybe actually fair game! Referees today are under so much pressure in Union that matches are said to be won and lost by one decision. Well, in a game where you can blow the whistle for a million different reasons, what is the point in putting yourself in the position to be openly criticised and ridiculed by the opposition, thousands of fans, and even your own mates. It's no wonder at all there's a dearth of referees out there in provincial NZ!
Whereas Rugby League on the other hand, with its lack of contest once a tackle is made, has most definitely prospered as a TV sport. The NRL continues to impress fans throughout Austalasia and the UK for the level of skill and fitness involved in playing the game at the highest level. State of Origin is the pinnacle which provides massive hits, the odd blue, fantastic tries, amazing skill levels, precision kicking, sensational atmosphere and above all, the passion to win from the players is evident for all to see.
What makes this game so successful for mine has to be the lack of contest after a tackle is made. The tackler simply gets up and plays the ball while his teammates have a few moments to organise for their next set play. And how good are the set plays in League! I'm a big fan on the second man play and the latest variations on it. The latest variation included a would-be second man in fact running a cutter on the ball handler and making the most of the lazy inside defenders - as shown by the Dragons with Matt Cooper's try on Friday night against the Broncos.
League continues to outdo Union in the basics, be it administration, scheduling, basic skills etc. It is far and away the better sport to watch and support because of the attacking opportunities given to the team with the ball in hand. After all, nobody watches the various rugby codes to see goalkickers nudge penalty after penalty (even though I do admit there is a large degree of skill involved in doing so). What the fans want to see is ball movement and exciting tries from the likes of Greg Inglis, Billy Slater, Israel Folau and Brett Stewart - who all possess some special skill. It is these superstars, coupled with the laws of the game, which help to make what is in actual fact a far smipler product than rugby union, so much better to watch for the fans!
I have been brought up in a rugby union family where almost every single male relative has played rugby for their entire adolesence and when it comes to family get togethers, there was one thing that was always brought up - the All Blacks (oh, and beer!). So, I am writing from very much a pro-union perspective when I say union has lost the plot!
The tackle ball situation is far too complex! Not only does the referee have over one hundred different laws to police but the laws enable a vastly different interpretation to be made from one official to the next. When it comes to ruck time it is an absolute lottery who is going to be penalised (or free-kicked with the new ELVs). The ref has ample opportunity to single out at least one out of the 8-10 players at a ruck and ping him for infringing on one of the one hundred different laws.
It is no wonder a referee these days never seems to have a good game with the whistle. The laws of the game leave referees open to interpretation and perspective. With players and fans desperate for their team to win, they jump on the back of the referee should he make, what in their mind is perceived as an error, but in another fans mind maybe actually fair game! Referees today are under so much pressure in Union that matches are said to be won and lost by one decision. Well, in a game where you can blow the whistle for a million different reasons, what is the point in putting yourself in the position to be openly criticised and ridiculed by the opposition, thousands of fans, and even your own mates. It's no wonder at all there's a dearth of referees out there in provincial NZ!
Whereas Rugby League on the other hand, with its lack of contest once a tackle is made, has most definitely prospered as a TV sport. The NRL continues to impress fans throughout Austalasia and the UK for the level of skill and fitness involved in playing the game at the highest level. State of Origin is the pinnacle which provides massive hits, the odd blue, fantastic tries, amazing skill levels, precision kicking, sensational atmosphere and above all, the passion to win from the players is evident for all to see.
What makes this game so successful for mine has to be the lack of contest after a tackle is made. The tackler simply gets up and plays the ball while his teammates have a few moments to organise for their next set play. And how good are the set plays in League! I'm a big fan on the second man play and the latest variations on it. The latest variation included a would-be second man in fact running a cutter on the ball handler and making the most of the lazy inside defenders - as shown by the Dragons with Matt Cooper's try on Friday night against the Broncos.
League continues to outdo Union in the basics, be it administration, scheduling, basic skills etc. It is far and away the better sport to watch and support because of the attacking opportunities given to the team with the ball in hand. After all, nobody watches the various rugby codes to see goalkickers nudge penalty after penalty (even though I do admit there is a large degree of skill involved in doing so). What the fans want to see is ball movement and exciting tries from the likes of Greg Inglis, Billy Slater, Israel Folau and Brett Stewart - who all possess some special skill. It is these superstars, coupled with the laws of the game, which help to make what is in actual fact a far smipler product than rugby union, so much better to watch for the fans!
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