Union is more popular because it has a genuine world class competition ..ie the 6 nations, every season, which is readily accessible on TV and attracts casual viewers who perhaps don't follow club rugby. League can't even cobble together 4 countries for a world Cup, which is essentially 2 english northern counties vs Australia/NZ. i enjoy both codes but can see player insurance liabilities probably ending both sports within 20 years.Union is a game for blokes who are either too posh, too fat, or too uncoordinated (or a combination of the 3) to play football. Union is only bigger due to the above mentioned posh twats dominating the media in this country - contrast that with Australia, where league is more popular.
''Rugby league is a sport played by apes and watched by men in flat caps''...i forget whose quote this was.At a sportsmans dinner for a rugby union team..
The great Laurie Daley - "Rugby league is a simple game played by simple people. Rugby union is a complex game played by wankers"
It was by Nigel Truscott-Farquarson, whilst spilling his beaujolais nouveau all over his Barbour jacket and brown brogues''Rugby league is a sport played by apes and watched by men in flat caps''...i forget whose quote this was.
yeah..ive heard of him!...never heard of Laurie wossname though..was his faather a coorl miner?It was by Nigel Truscott-Farquarson, whilst spilling his beaujolais nouveau all over his Barbour jacket and brown brogues
He was a whippet breederoh
yeah..ive heard of him!...never heard of Laurie wossname though..was his faather a coorl miner?
And pies ! ;-)It’s funny how RL is better at club level and less popular at international level, whereas RU is the other way around.
RU has been in the doldrums for a bit. Too much kicking away and most rucks going nowhere or slowly forwards.
It’s probably to do with the professionalisation of it along with video analysts having access to better quality data, which then makes the coaching better.
RL is a more explosive sport, so which you prefer is whether you like the tactical side or line breaking side more.
There’s better beer at RL too.
Was at the game last night ( Wigan Warriors season ticket holder ) possibly the coldest night I have ever experienced watching live rugby or football that easterly windchill was unreal . After all the hype and build up and a near 22,000 crowd turning out to watch the league’s opener two things stood out for me ……..
Firstly how the game was officiated . It was officiated totally different to last season all tackles above the shoulder were allowed to play on and holding onto a player after a tackle allowed for longer . Is this the new president for this season without directives ?? It certainly allowed a more flowing game and no players feigned injury like almost all the time last season and no head injury assessments . Makes you wonder ? Good thing or bad thing I don’t know time will tell but there was no blatant cheating last night despite how it was officiated totally different.
Secondly the captains challenge, imho it’s going to be a total waste of time as the video ref will side with the infield ref every single time !
The game last night ……. both teams cancelled each other out on a terrible sticky pitch where the quick flair players just couldn’t get any momentum and it turned into a slug fest . But Harry Smith wtf 6 meters out under the sticks with 1 minute left on the clock and doesn’t go for a drop goal ????? Unbelievable !!!
My mates a Salford fan and he’s not happy about what’s gone on. Admittedly I don’t follow rugby, but he’s saying it’s akin to how the premier league are trying to treat us.Futility at Saints, as Salford's shadow of a shadow side were completely outgunned.
Difficult to read anything much from it, Saints have a couple of new runners, but they look weird without Makinson.
Challenge Cup draw highlights were the annual Saints-Leeds tie and Wigan-Hull.
It’s funny how RL is better at club level and less popular at international level, whereas RU is the other way around.
RU has been in the doldrums for a bit. Too much kicking away and most rucks going nowhere or slowly forwards.
It’s probably to do with the professionalisation of it along with video analysts having access to better quality data, which then makes the coaching better.
RL is a more explosive sport, so which you prefer is whether you like the tactical side or line breaking side more.
There’s better beer at RL too.
First weekend of the season and you get this game. A sport that is on its arse needs to do better than this, imagine going to that game and watching a load of adults beat a load of kids 82-0. Surely you don’t come away from that thinking “great game”Futility at Saints, as Salford's shadow of a shadow side were completely outgunned.
Difficult to read anything much from it, Saints have a couple of new runners, but they look weird without Makinson.
Challenge Cup draw highlights were the annual Saints-Leeds tie and Wigan-Hull.
First weekend of the season and you get this game. A sport that is on its arse needs to do better than this, imagine going to that game and watching a load of adults beat a load of kids 82-0. Surely you don’t come away from that thinking “great game”