League V Union : Tue Apr 28, 2009 11:36 pm  

Having just watched highlights of Harlequins V Newcastle RU I doubt if rugby league will ever catch on at the Stoop. I hate to say this but some of the rugby was awesome from the Quins compared with what we get from the RL boys. It was fast with superb ball handling and backing up etc (Leigh - get a video and do the same). I'm afraid that the old RU style of kick and clap (at club level) is no more and from what I have just seen that game is by far more entertaining than any RL game I have seen this year. As I said, I hate to acept it but RL is becoming slower and boring - just compare highlights and you'll see.

: Wed Apr 29, 2009 12:31 am  

whoa, steady on a bit!!



theres no doubt their game has progressed since they became f/t pros, but some of the basics of running lines, tackling and awareness are still way behind our boys

i do try and watch some union, just to see how league converts are getting on, and a decent ref who will let the game flow helps, but thats more the exception, rather than the rule


although some of their boys would be sensational in league, brian o'driscol being a prime example, and gavin henson would go well too, seems to have plenty of bottle



however, give me a day out at mount pleasent anytime, as opposed to a match at twickers

: Wed Apr 29, 2009 6:49 am  

I think you mentioned there - highlights.

Believe me, having watched a share of rugby union over the last 2 years, it still pales into comparrison with rugby league. There are still numerous stoppages but it is improving.

: Wed Apr 29, 2009 7:27 am  

DParky wrote:

I think you mentioned there - highlights.

Believe me, having watched a share of rugby union over the last 2 years, it still pales into comparrison with rugby league. There are still numerous stoppages but it is improving.

But those 10min highlights where far more entertaining than any RL highlights I have seen. OK tackling may not be as good but the speed of the backing up & ball handling was very entertaining.

: Wed Apr 29, 2009 7:57 am  

I watched what was the "big" game at weekend (Bath v Sarries) and it was a farce!
Every few minutes there was a huge gap waiting for a line out, penalty or scrum. At one point I went to make a coffe as a scrum was awarded and when I came back they were still having the same scrum!!!! No injuries, just reset, reset, reset.........
The inability to tackle can lead to some impressive long range tries from broken play but the basic levels of passing and tackling are streets behind RL.
Don't even get me started on forward passes and knocks on!
If you would rather watch Quins v Geordies than Leigh v Widnes then I truly feel for you.

: Wed Apr 29, 2009 8:17 am  

Well in my opinion Union is actually worse than 10 years ago. I was a fan in the 90's but the game is getting more boring. A major change is the fact that the game has become more defensive. I think that it is the consequence of professionalism of players who are more fit and more skilled. The parameters of the game have changed, and as it happens it has conducted to give an advantage to the defense: it is now much harder to score a try by passing the ball in Union.

That is why they now keep kicking the ball all the time, something which is new relative to the 90'. Also the scoreline often gets very small with very few tries. Finally the possibility to keep the ball in the ruck is now stretched ridiculously and it multiplies interruptions of the play the ball in the game.

I find it now often quite frustrating to watch Union: no fluidity, only few breaks, kicks and kicks and few tries (with lots of tryless matches).

: Wed Apr 29, 2009 8:22 am  

lpage wrote:

Well in my opinion Union is actually worse than 10 years ago. I was a fan in the 90's but the game is getting more boring. A major change is the fact that the game has become more defensive. I think that it is the consequence of professionalism of players who are more fit and more skilled. The parameters of the game have changed, and as it happens it has conducted to give an advantage to the defense: it is now much harder to score a try by passing the ball in Union.

That is why they now keep kicking the ball all the time, something which is new relative to the 90'. Also the scoreline often gets very small with very few tries. Finally the possibility to keep the ball in the ruck is now stretched ridiculously and it multiplies interruptions of the play the ball in the game.

I find it now often quite frustrating to watch Union: no fluidity, only few breaks, kicks and kicks and few tries (with lots of tryless matches).

Rugby Union in a nut shell

: Wed Apr 29, 2009 8:26 am  

Occasionally been watching the highlights on ITV4 during the course of the season, and I must admit there have been some awesome tries scored.

: Wed Apr 29, 2009 8:29 am  

Union is improving slowwwwwly. But would still rather watch a poor game of RL than a supposedly good game of RU

: Wed Apr 29, 2009 8:36 am  

lpage wrote:

Well in my opinion Union is actually worse than 10 years ago. I was a fan in the 90's but the game is getting more boring. A major change is the fact that the game has become more defensive. I think that it is the consequence of professionalism of players who are more fit and more skilled. The parameters of the game have changed, and as it happens it has conducted to give an advantage to the defense: it is now much harder to score a try by passing the ball in Union.

That is why they now keep kicking the ball all the time, something which is new relative to the 90'. Also the scoreline often gets very small with very few tries. Finally the possibility to keep the ball in the ruck is now stretched ridiculously and it multiplies interruptions of the play the ball in the game.

I find it now often quite frustrating to watch Union: no fluidity, only few breaks, kicks and kicks and few tries (with lots of tryless matches).

Not sure what you've been watching but as a regular viewer of RU (my wife is a Tigers fan and I follow the Sharks - how do you get Sharks in Sale; I mean Stockport?), and so far this year, I can't recall an SL game to match it for excitement. And that's despite the stupid ELVs which have made the game worse. SL is becoming horribly predictable. Too many injuries, too many bad refereeing decisions, too many dull games. RL will always be my favourite sport, but I think the game is going backwards and with the fear of losing gone in SL, we are seeing too many sides capitulating.

As for this division, be honest, Widnes v Leigh was a terrible game and I don't mean the result. As one of your number said to me after that game with a sardonic smile, "two bad teams".