Rugby League vs. Rugby Union
85Introduction
This Hub consists of a comparison between two of the toughest sports in the world, rugby league and rugby union. It is not about my personal opinions on which of the two sports is the best because to be honest (and I have experience of both) I don't really know!
Both have good points and bad points. In general I would rather watch a game of union but play a game of league. But that would depend on the weather, the quality of the game, the teams involved and a whole host of other factors! In any case, on the page below I've detailed some of the key properties of each sport and compared them to each other.
Make no mistake, these are two of the fiercest, toughest and most competitive sports in the world. But which is the best? Read through and then make your decision!
Brief Summary
To decide which sport you think is best (and I really want you to decide you know) it is only fair that you know a bit more about each sport. In this section I will give a brief rundown of the rules and defining characteristics of each before mentioning some of the stand out features and occurrences below.
Rugby union is played between two teams of 15 for 80 minutes plus a 10 minute half-time break. The rugby ball may not be passed forward at any time during the game but can be kicked out of hand in any direction. There are 5 ways to score points in a union match. Firstly, if you cross your opponent's try-line and place the ball on the floor with downward pressure then you have scored a 5 point try. After a try has been scored there is the possibility of a conversion being kicked over the posts to earn a further 2 points. Other than that, if awarded, penalties may be kicked for 3 points from any position on the field (though are only normally kick-able from in the opponent's half) and drop kicks maybe taken at any time during the game to score drop goals which also earn 3 points. The last method of scoring is the rarely seen penalty try which is given should the opposition break the rules to prevent a certain try from being scored.
Rugby union is a game that blends proactive, team-wide strategy with individual brilliance. Territory is precious and every yard is hard fought with a mixture of crashing runs taking on tacklers, lightning quick, evasive back play, ferocious struggles to hold on to possession or deft kicking skill that can win 60 metres in a stroke. It is a violent, dogged scrap of a sport but played with such rich passion, vital intensity and increasingly skillful razzledazzle that can be breathtaking.
Rugby league is played between two teams of 13 players for 80 minutes just like union. The game is inherently a lot simpler than union as there is less emphasis on set-pieces and more on basic attack and defence. In league a try is worth 4 points, conversions and penalties are both worth 2 points and a drop goal is worth just 1.
Each team is allowed 6 tackles with which to attempt to score, a tackle being defined as when the attacking player's motion is stopped or when they hit the floor. When this occurs the attacking player gets to their feet and rolls the ball backwards under one leg whilst the defending team must retreat 10 metres. After the 6th tackle has been made the possession of the ball is turned over to the other team who begin their set of 6 from the point of the tackle. This does not generally happen however as teams prefer to kick the ball after the 5th tackle either to attempt to regain the ball and score a try or to make the opposition retreat down the field to recover it.
The old adage goes that rugby union is a contact sport whereas rugby league is a collision sport. There are a number of subtleties and stratagems that need to be brought together for a successful rugby league performance but there is little doubt that monstrous two-man tackles or destructive smashing runs bouncing off hapless defenders is the very soul of the sport. It requires highly developed handling skills, ruthless physicality and, above all, stalwart courage to be a successful league player and results in some of the greatest all-round athletes in the world.
(Note that both the image of Ma'a Nonu and the image of Iosia Soliola were acquired from Fickr.com.)
Best Competition/Tournament
Both sports have a number of tournaments watched by various crowds throughout the year. Here I have picked what I believe to be the best individual competition to characterise each sport.
In consideration of rugby union, there are large number of competitions that could best represent it and selection was difficult. From the World Cup every 4 years to the annual tribulations of the 6 Nations, the Super 14, the Heineken Cup or the mighty Tri-Nations, rugby union abounds with quality competitions. However, in my opinion, the tournament that best captures the personality and ethos of rugby union is the British and Irish Lions Tour.
Occurring every four years, the most talented players from England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland (Both Eire and Northern Ireland rugby players form a combined national team) are selected and tour one of the southern hemisphere countries of Australia, New Zealand or South Africa. The tour is usually about 6 weeks long and involves games against regional and professional teams before a 3 test series against the national side. The tours are legendary, some classic games have come about as their result and the heady mix of travelling, gruelling match schedule, the combined talent on display and sheer down to earth rugby vibe make this the stand out competition in modern rugby union.
For rugby league the choice of a flagship event was an altogether simpler affair. The competition that most clearly and effectively represents the combative, defence-oriented style of the game is undoubtedly the Australian tournament State of Origin.
Basically, Australia dominates the rugby league world and nowhere on earth is it played with more passion, intensity and skill. And if Australia dominate the sport worldwide then the states of New South Wales and Queensland dominate it nationally and these are the teams that battle it out annually for the State of Origin crown. The tournament is a three game series played out during the professional season by teams that are selected only from players who debuted for a club in one of these two states (regardless of who they play for now). Hence the name State of Origin. Such a format makes for a tantalising spectacle as friends, teammates and even family members play against each other on rugby league's highest stage. The tournament's setup, the sheer quality of the rugby played and the overall feeling a country's most breathtaking rivalry means that the State of Origin tournament is the best event in existence to truly embody the spirit of rugby league.
Unique Features
I have already mentioned some of the basics rules and strategies of each sport and mentioned a tournament that best captures their ethos today. Here are a couple of stand-out idiosyncracies that exist in the modern form of both sports today.
The photo on the right (obtained from Flickr ) shows one of union's most famous spectacles, the Haka, a traditional Maori war dance performed before matches to intimidate opponents and pump up the team. And that team is the famous All Blacks, the national side of New Zealand and one of the most successful around. The Haka is an amazing site being performed just before kick off to international matches by New Zealand and other Pacific Island countries (who have different dances). There is nothing else like it in the world of rugby union, it is violent, impressive and passionate and therefore has been chosen as my unique feature of rugby union.
For rugby league the choice is yet again simple. It is the collision that characterises the sport, the cataclysmic contact between muscle-bound athletes trying to smash each other backwards. Just look at the video below. Enough said!
Rugby League Big Tackles
So? Which is best?
After an introduction to both rugby codes and highlighting some of their stand out features I still might not have helped you decide which is the better sport. So, as a final attempt to get you to make a decision, here's a list of various aspects common to both sports and my opinion on which is the better sport for each consideration.
Tackling - Easy. Rugby league. See the video above.
Skill - This is a close one but rugby union just wins I think. At certain points in the game a union match can significantly break up enabling the backs to run riot showing off all manner of skills. Just look up Shane Williams, Carlos Spencer or Jason Robinson on YouTube to understand what I mean!
Set-pieces - Set-pieces are prescribed actions such as scrums or lineouts necessary to restart the game after knock-ons, when the ball is kicked out etc. If you like set-pieces because they require players to acquire a multitude of skills and factor in their effects to the overall strategy then, like me, you cannot help but pick rugby union.
Athleticism - This is an interesting one. Whilst wingers in both codes are generally super-fit sprinting machines the front row union players can weigh upwards of 20 stone and (whilst certainly professional athletes) are not marathon runners. Therefore rugby league wins this one too as players are of similar build across the team and exhibit an amazing mixture of power, pace and fitness.
Banter - Which sport's players have the best chat, are the funniest, the most entertaining, the best laugh? This is too close to call I'm afraid. Click here to see an absolute classic video of the aforementioned British and Irish Lions which is absolutely hilarious but then this video shows off some characteristic rugby league style hilarity from the Australian NRL Footy Show. This is definitely a draw!
So there you have it. Plenty of information from which to draw your own opinions, please do so by voting in the poll below and I'd love to hear your comments on which you think is the better sport. Thanks for reading!
The Results
WHICH IS THE BEST SPORT?
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league by a long long way. don't believe me, sit down and watch the respective world cup finals and compare.
oh, and the world-cup champion Kiwis (NZ Rugby League team) do the Haka too.
@yuvraj singh - thanks very much for your comment and I agree with you, a match like that would be amazing! In Australia I believe that every year the Aussie Rules Football champions play the Irish Gaelic football champions in an intersport club competition (I'm not sure whether they play one game of alternating halves or two games, one of each sport). Something similar either between clubs (Super 14 champions vs. NRL champions in the southern hemisphere or Heineken champions vs. Super League champions up north) or countries (Tri-Nations champions vs. Australia or New Zealand) would be absolutely fantastic to watch!
@macavity - thanks for your comment. I know that the Haka also plays an important part in the identity of the New Zealand rugby league team too but I just think that it plays a bit more of a role in union.
I come from Malaysia and most (I think all) the rugby games played here are rugby union.
Rugby League all the way. Go the bulldogs.
Good article, although I disagree with Union being more skillful. The fact that you only have 6 tackles to score a try in League compared to endless phases in Union and yet you see more tries in a game of league in my opinion makes league a more skillful sport. In England a lot of people are ignorant about league as it is only popular in the North, where I live in the midlands I have to listen to idiots say union is a better sport when they've never watch a game of Rugby League in their life. I watch both when they're on TV and it's no contest in my opinion, League wins hands down
Haha **great article** im from up north lol and i also couldnt pick between the two. I have two friends Paul king and rich horne as we know pauls left fc now.. but i think if my northern head was on the block :0) id go with league...
league every time. Union keeps changing it's rules to be like erm League. The fact that this author mentions Jason Robinson as a Union player says it all. (He played for Wigan RL for years before ending his career in Union).
The media bias in the UK towards Union is unbelievable, it's as if the split took place last year.
Union get the big crowds for Internationals, league get the big crowds for domestic.
If you want to see lots of running, big hits and points then League is for you.
If you want to play the game of "where's the ball?" or "why do they keep kicking it out?" then Union is for you.
Thorough article. Thanks for posting.
Personally I prefer rugby because it has more dimensions. However, some of the tries in Rugby League are absolutely amazing.
Here's a simple breakdown of the differences here:
http://ezinearticles.com/?5-Differences-Between-Ru
Your article is much more insightful though
RUGBY LEAGUE RULES!! go THE TIGERS!!!!!!!!!!!!! THERE 1#
I have played both codes and I am a prop, but I have probably played more Union. I much prefer Rugby League because I can actually run with the ball and personally set up tries, or even get them myself. I have played many 80 minutes of Union, and never even touched the ball!! and still been congratulated on my scrummaging and lifting in the line out. I feel that forwards in union are only there for the backs to touch the ball. Where as in League a forward can use his ball skills too.
In essence, Rugby union is more techincal, and League is more skilful.
Union was set up so that the Lanky and fat kids could play a sport too!
rugby league all day, go the west tigers and eels!
Rugby league is certainly better for fights and hits; I prefer the dynamics of rugby though.
Great and balanced piece! Two thing that differ between the codes: A) Rugby Union has a much wider variety of special individual skill sets compared to League. and B) The cultural differences between the two (working class vs. upper class).
It is not a balanced piece! Union has too many rules which the officials, let alone the players or spectators, do not understand. League is much more athletic, shows better handling and tactical skills (faster, better hands and offloading, infinitely better kicking, and defense is as skilful as offence). I can just about watch a high grade Union international. At club level it is unwatchable. League, however, is good fun even at under-15.
Union is appalingly bad value-for-time, unless you are a player or a drunken hooray. Just compare the fitness and skill involved in each, and only a hypocrite could deny that League is by far a better game.
Rugby union by far is the best form of Rugby. In union, the game is more unpredictable and hence, more interesting. As we know, in league after the 5th tackle, the team with the ball will kick the ball 99% of the time. In union the intrigue is what makes it interesting. There are lineouts, free kicks, scrums, penalty kicks, rucks, malls, etc, etc..
The Jacksonville Axemen, a semi pro rl team in the united states will be playing against the Jacksonville mens rugby union club this saturday,June 19, 2010. Both codes will be played, the first half union, and the second half league. Ill let you know how it goes. Similarily, about a year ago, the Jacksonville Axemen played a Semi-pro American Football team, The Jacksonville Sharks, in a half rl/half american football match. The Axemen came away with a victory in this match. To learn more about either match check out www.jaxaxe.com
Union is better. You get to see competitive scrums and set pieces. Plus, there are a lot more tactical kicks, which I think are awesome, and league has pretty much eliminated that except after the fifth tackle.
Both sports are really great.....but I have to say that Union is better because it's more of a international thing....but anyway this was a really good article :D
Union. Because more countries can play it.
Also i like the fact its a game for all shapes and sizes. Also please dont believe the Muppet who says Union is for 'Elites', Union is the number one code in Samoa, Tonga and Fiji pacific islands.
Also with the Rugby Union 7's now in the olympics, it makes union that more international.
No offense to league, Only 2 teams play it well. And that NZ and AUS.. And even then there is a huge gap between NZ and AUS.. Aus simple is dominating.
League has been professional for 100 years and is still yet to come out from Eastern Australia and North en England.
Union has only been professional for 15 years. So in 15 years It has grown considerably in other countries.
What is holding league back is its Greedy Administrators. Full Stop.
Rugby League Wins by far, much more entertaining, plus the big hits, go the Dogs
leaague is gay
Rugby union is like chess. Great game to play but not so good to watch. League is like UFC. Great to watch but you got to be nuts to play it.
Rugby union to put it 'simply' is a game of forwards whilst league again 'simply' is a backs game.
rugby union forwards will destroy each other to create holes in continuing game play for backs to 'penetrate'
in league the 'forward make around 30m-40m whilst the backs kick or exploit the 'extra' holes onto the field due to less players. please keep in mind this is a simplistic version as there is a lot more tact involved in both sports
as a forward i have to lean on a personal bias toward union has its a perfect fusion of backs and forward working together with out one the other cant survive. whilst league seems to favor the smaller lighter player
i think rugby league is better because of the scrums, or lineouts...rugby league is more fast flowing than rugby union because at the scrums, there will be people on the ground and they will take forever to do that because they are fat...in league the scrums are not contested
Tim Sheens said Lote Tuqiri was off the pace when he joined the Tigers
Being from the United States, rugby in general is pretty much off the radar screen for most people around here. That said, the only form of "rugby" most people here know of is union - that's what's played at the few colleges, universities, high schools, and clubs that sponsor rugby; few are even aware that a separate thing called rugby league even exists.
Which is very weird and a darn shame, because rugby league is actually much closer to American football than rugby union is. Show a rugby league match to an American football fan, and they will be able to figure out, on their own, what's going on very quickly, and they'll usually find it pretty enjoyable, too. That isn't really the case with rugby union.
I probably would have never heard of rugby league either, if it wasn't for the fact that half of my family's from northern England (go Salford!).
So, obviously I'm biased toward rugby league, but I'd suspect a lot of people in the U.S. would be, too, if they were even aware of its existence.
league is obviously better, union is boring. in union they kick the ball every two seconds and have to wait about 30 seconds at "the ruck". wigan warriors are my life and im still soo happy they won the grand final !! was there in that brilliant amazing atmosphere that union do not have. just like a game of tennis to be honest.rugby league wins every time.
As a new zealander I have been around both codes all my life and have played both. In my personal opinion I have to say rugby league is by far the better game and quite sad to see it in the shadow of union. Everytime I've walked off the field playing league I have a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment knowing I have contributed to my team, but when I play union it always feels like I could have done more, maybe its because I sometimes may only touch the ball a handful of times and spend the other time chasing it.
No comparison. League is boring, boring, boring. Same old stuff - may as well be watching touch rugby. And the numbers don't lie - union is huge worldwide & league only in the English Midlands & Australia. Which is why league people have a chip on their collective shoulders. Talk about "rugby" & it means union - hardly anyone cares about league.
I've played both codes and much prefer rugby league. Quite honestly, I found Union to be the sort of game where you can have a rest now and then by leaving it to everyone else. On top of this, the constant hold-ups at the scrums in union whilst the ref tries to get the forwards packed down correctly is flustrating and time-wasting.
In league, you have no time to go "out of the game" for a while - it's much more a man-to-man marking sport and very tense.
So, league is harder to play and consequently a much better game.
Rugby Union is a thug's game played by gentlemen. Rubgy League is a gentlemen's game played by thugs.
Rugby League Rulzzzzzzzz!!! there is no other game in this world that is as good as Rugby League.. Union's for Gaylords!
The only reason we are so into Rugby Union in NZ, is because it is the only sport we are good at, the rest of the world have got more exciting and faster sports to compete in and Union is their 3rd or fourth sport of choice, of course we are going to be the best! As Petalac said nothing worse than watching grown men standing around for 80 minutes in bewilderment as the play gets halted for yet another rule infringement. Yes i agree Yaaaaaaaawn!!!!
The latest internationals have just proved rugby (union) is by far the better game. better skills and better quality. rugby is so much better than league. go the mighty springboks
rugby union is so much better. just check these the tri nations and the 6 nations. league is boring and reptitive.
League easily. Not just because of the game either but that is way better too. Being a kiwi we are constantly bombarded rugby , rugby , rugby. Hows its our national game and we are the best. All hype. It is a boring game. Honestly you can pop out and have a leak , grab another beer and miss nothing. NRL matches you can't get off your seat. It's the rugby world cup soon. Quite frankly I don't think the AB's will win it. I think they will choke and be bundled out by France again! Then we will have 2 yrs of excuses and sackings. If they do win 4 yrs of gloating. Sonny Bill (ex league)ain't gonna save them. They are raving about his skills. These skills are quite normal in league. Our Kiwis league team has delivered in spades. 3 out of the last 5 major trophies coming home against massive odds. The Kiwis league team are real winners from a country that normally specialises in coming second. Check out the 2010 four nations final on youtube and see what I mean.
cvvv g
Rugby is better overall - with the new ELV's it has in some cases become a try fest with 60 plus point games. The skill level is higher. I am an ex league player but now generally watch more union. I specifically like the French Top 14 for the style of play. League can also be good to watch but the stop start stop start is a little tedious at times the commentators make it more intreresting as well as they get very fired up , Union commentators may as well be narrating a funeral they are so dull to listen to! If they reduced the amount of kicking in rugby that's help also. I have lived in NZ and now back in China where rugby is getting more in the universties and via the sevens tournaments. Rugby is global whereas League has not really taken off elsewhere out of NSW, Queensland, South Auckland and the Northern areas of England - the battle and the war has been lost to Union.
Rugby union is a waste of time to me. Im a rugby league fan and i have tried to watch a game of union and it dosent make any sense and all the player are always chasing the ball at the same time. so you can hardly tell were the ball is. this is why RL was invented in the first place. because lets just say that RU is shite..
Union is a good sport...but just look at how many other codes try to convert league players...AFL...RU....Modern League Players have superior fitness and skill and are better all round atheletes...League is the winner.
League is a good Game. But i prefer Rugby Union... Why?
Its in the Olympics. Has more registered Rugby players. Has more professional Rugby Competitions in the world then Rugby League. Rugby league is only Popular in East Australia and In A small belt in North England... Goodness sake, there are more Registered rugby players in the England then there are Rugby League players in the WHOLE WORLD.
Another thing that put me of league are the League fans themselves. They constantly say rugby union is boring and is going to die soon.. They have been saying that for the past 100 years.
For those who dont know, Rugby league was Professional 100 YEARS before Rugby Union.. And have yet to grow out of the heartlands.. Rugby Union went professional in 1995... ONLY 15 years ago.. and in that small amount of time, rugby now has a very Popular WORLD cup.. With world cup crowd averages only 2nd to the FIFA world cup... And also we gained re-admittance into the Olympics, no doubt a dagger in the heart of every league fan.
League fans should stop hyping their game and Players so much. Its what puts people off.
Cheers.
rugby union is the best game on the planet cuz. love super 14 rugby. league is so sh*te boys play a real mans game.
super 14 2010 tries cuzzie.
Lol, Jason Robinson came from rugby league you booner. He was a Wigan Warriors star. As for skill, i have never seen a more disjointed game as Union... knock on's, forward passes and breaks in the game are rife.. no room to run because of too many people on the field.
Both are good sports but it depends what kind of person you are. If you like things simple you will like League as it is fast paced (apart from stopping every 2 seconds to play the ball) and more athletic. The problem is every player does exactly the same thing as every other player, they are the same size and they have exactlythe same role apart from 2 players in the team who kick after the 5th tackle. Rugby Union is slower, but far more tactical, all players have different roles to fulfil and have different specialisd skills. If you like a more intelligent game then rugby is for you; teams have different styles and there are a whole range of subtleties not understood by simpletons.
I LOVE Rugby League!
rugby league faster more skillful more intense less stop and start more points scored through tries, no kicking tennis
Rugby league is a boring amateurish game, i predict it will die out in over 50 years time. Anyway who are the kangaroos the all blacks are by far a much bigger and better brand.
Have you guys even seen a game of rugby or do you guys live in a dark hole. how is this not skilfull and brilliant. league is a small game while rugby (union) is played world wide.
Rugby League is a much better game because it is more passionate. Rugby is boring to watch because the game is played by the referee not the players.
Ask Gareth Thomas... He wishes he'd played League years ago!
no contest league is more skillful faster fitter if you want a sore neck from watching all the kicking to & fro how can a team win a match without scoring a try which they do in boring union so .so they are in the olympics i could pick numerous league team that would stuff the kick & clap boys it makes me laugh to see all the union spectators drooling over a penalty or drop goal
thanks for the article. For me it Rugby leauge. why? Better handling skills, better tackles, simpler rules, uncontested scrums, better athletes...but one thing i would mention is the way that leauge players adapt to union so well...when do you see union players moving to leauge? Jason Robinson was so good because he played leauge and its evident in his play. Even Jonah Lomu played Leauge as a schoolboy...why do players move to union then? simple = money and for some reason its more popular!
There is a reason why union is so much bigger than league internationaly, its unpredictable! With league its 5 tackles each and no real scrum, how boring zzzz
Quite interesting article. I live in Poland and, to the best of my knowledge, there are no League clubs here. I have never seen a League match so I will not comment on how I find it in comparison to Rugby Union. But there must be something that makes Union extremely popular in some countries (i.e. NZ, SA, GB, Ausie, Argentina, France, Italy) and recognisable all over the world (even in Poland which is still Rugby shithole). Summing up, let everyone enjoy the code they really prefer.
Ask Chris Ashton he wishes he played rugby (union) years ago
I'm sorry, but recently all the union I have watched has been like a football match, just endless kicking. League requires more skill, up the giants!
Born and bred in St helens I have to admit to being biased as most people will be towards one or the other sport, however as a regular at Saints and a massive sports fan in general I do love Union at International level.
I feel the top level club competition in League is outstanding and better than its Union counterpart, I honestly cant understand how on earth you can say the skill level in Union is higher the kicking game and the fact that it is a 15 man game means it doesnt compare to League'Despite this though the skill level at international class Union has rose greatly in recent years.
Either way Rugby is an awesome sport to watch or play and the speed, passion, PRIDE and strength shown in both codes is super human!! Great post cheers!
i play,union,its great but i have played 3 league matches and i am better. being a fly-half, all i do is kick.in league i can run and make people look like absolute fools. but having a coach from the midlands, union is pounded into me so i have to i prefer union.
I come from the town rugby league was invented in and love the sport but I'm a big union fan too. For me club rugby is better in league and international in union but I watch it all. Saying that I'd only play league. I'd much rather get smashed to the ground by 3 guys at speed than tackled by 1 then have up to a 100stone of forwards pile on top of me (could be my cluastrophobia.
They are both good games but I believe Rugby League wins hands down, I've played and watched both, so this is my belief from a playing and a spectator point of view. The reason Union is more widespread is very much down to the old class system, but also the second world war had massive impact on the game of rugby league in France. The amateurs running rugby league in the UK also must take some of the blame.
I could go on about the politics that have ensured rugby league isn't more popular than rugby union, but it would take all night, but please believe me, it's not because it's a better game, Rugby League is king!
6 tackles and you can have the ball back?? if you want it you've got to work for it! Union all the way, magnitude of skills instead of just running and tackling
At a club level, if you want action, speed, skill and atmosphere for 77 minutes out of 80, watch League. If you want CONSTANT knock ons, forward passes, penalties, five minute scrums, few tries and lots of goal kicking, Union is the game for you.
In Union the amount of players on the field is a major contributer to why the game lacks in try scoring action, the forwards are terrible at ball handling, the stop start nature of the game and the fact that 90% of the time when a team gets a penalty in the opponants half they kick for goal makes for aweful viewing.
Some argue that in Rugby League the uncontested scrums are boring, but ask yourself, would you rather see a 30 second scrum and continued action or 5 minutes of forming and refoming a scrum.
Being born in a RL town i am obviously bias, but i cant see why people are so attracted to Union, it bores me to death.
I will say that internationally i would rather watch union because it's a better contest overall (more teams evenly matched), but Australia vs New Zealand RL is incredible, the standard of play is out of this world.
The greatest game rugby union!!!
Having played both, i prefer to play league because of the open play. In league the ball is in open play for about 80% of the time and in union between about 10 and 20%. When you play union in the wet with a whistle happy ref it can feel like one scrum after another followed by a lineout, i.e. little opportunity for individual skill or brilliance. To look at soccer for example, there is plenty of opportunity for individual skill, just look at the demigods of messi, henry, best or maradona; I don't think it is a coincidence why soccer is the worlds most popular sport.
To go back to rugby, league would have been by far the better game if they had'nt got rid of rucks; lineouts yes, scrums (more o less) yes, flankers yes, rucks no.
Union on the other hand could be improved by removing the flankers and speeding up the scrums.
Both codes i believe would be improved by using a smaller ball (like an american football) that could be carried in one hand as opposed to under the arm allowing for better offloading of the ball.
Okay... some of these comments are ignorant and moronic. Having more people enjoy watching Rugby Union, doesn't make it the better sport. Justin Bieber sells more albums and sells out concerts more than most bands these days. Does this mean he is better? No... it doesn't. I enjoy both, though I find myself getting more excited over Rugby League due to it being more skillful and not having 40% of the game being 5 guys lying on top of the ball.
Great post! It's rugby union all the way for me, but I do watch league!
You so need the video of Josh Lewsey's tackle on Matt Rogers on this post!
Interesting viewpoints, I'm a big fan of all three codes (AFL included) for what they each have to offer as a spectacle. Bring on the worldcup!
My two cents, from an American living abroad. I've been watching both League and Union for the past year and love both. My observation, from an outsider's perspective, is that the referee in Union has too much latitude in the way he interprets penalties, especially in the scrums and rucks. This delays the game, and often times results in a penalty kick. I've seen several matches determined not by cleanly earned "tries" but through questionable penalty decisions that result in a penalty kick.
League, on the other hand, has a cleaner set of rules (due to the lack of emphasis on the scrum, and the removal of the ruck) that reduces the amount of subjective calls the referee in forced to make. League play is more 'clean' from that perspective, and the flow of the game is better.
Again, just my observations, and only made from short exposure to both versions of rugby. In all, I love the sport and will continue to watch both League and Union whenever they are broadcast in my area.
I think rugby league is almost a combination of union and american football. American football has 1-4 downs kind of like six tackles in league. and on the last down/tackle the ball is usually kick or in america punted for the opponent to get. or the offensive team goes for a field goal/drop goal. Also less importantly league has a middle number of players (two more than american football and two less than union).
At amateur club level League is probably better as there are not many rules, and union the refs arent that good and mess up the game and the forwards are just big or fat with no skills whatsoever. But at professional level Union is better way better how ca you say they have no skills the Beast and bismarck du plessis would run over any league player, league players cant tackle they just try and shoulder charge. Sonny Bill Williams the great league convert is the most average player in the world, half his tackles are illegal and he cant pass the ball more than five metres. Come on BOKKE
skill for union, psssh you obviously havent seen enough NRL games, the kicking skills are amazing, footwork, passing skills and handling skills of league players is so much more impressive then that of a union player
At last somebody takes on the great debate. I love both games but Union has a huge problem with its points system. 3 point penalties has killed the running game. Teams tend to select number 10s who can keep booting the ball down the field then hope their props can get them a penalty. Terrible. Rugby League is a much maligned sport by insecure, snobbish people who deep down suspect it could be the greatest sport ever. The ability to take and make big hits, the endurance, the skill and the fact that you sometimes see Union backs come over to League but you rarely see forwards do the same as it`s HARDER. Now let`s all sit back and enjoy the NFL season. Chuckle.
well.. looks at the history why they saparated in 1890s... i.e. professionalism vs amateurism, I think they should merged back as the reason of saparation is no longer there. Union had embraced the professionalism... no longer a stgright amateurism - players are being paid for the playing with lucarative contracts - for the game rules... they should takes the best of both...
I have refereed league at a high level and am currently refereeing Union at RFU National League level.
They are a completely different game played by players of different shapes and skills. Both games are very entertaining if you can understand what they are trying to do. There are some great comments posted about the different aspects it really is about preference. I find RU a busier game to watch and referee but league is easier to understand and more physical. Both sets of players are both very fit and very brave !
As far as the players mentioned, Ashton and Robinson in particular I suspect the main reason they wish they had played union sooner is because of the off field opportunities and the superior way you are treated in RU. The Union set up is far better than league and the games remain for me very different. Whichever you prefer they are both far superior to soccer. Great debate and some interesting comments.
I am an American and just recently started watching a lot of rugby. I've seen 10+ union matches and 2 or 3 league matches.
I like union, but to me, league is much more exciting. I would love to introduce my friends to the sport, but I can't possibly explain all the rules of union. I wish league was more popular on TV as I know it could become more popular in the USA as it is much more fast paced, doesn't have so many ridiculous rules and the 6 tackle rule makes it somewhat similar to American football.
While on a trip Down under last year I had the opportunity to watch a live game of Rugby league.
Since then league is the sport for me .
i love both codes but union is much more tactical than the league..
Waay upthere in the thread a guy it on the head. League is like a whole game of selfish, touch rugby, just like in practice warm ups. No set up to speak of, TONS of cross pitch running and the whole passy-footie thing behind you makes my eyes bleed.
Search wasps v Bradford on YouTube. Both teams are professional, playing under rugby union rules. The rugby league team wins the match because of the superior skills, and fitness. watch it. End of debate. League wins. Thankyou and goodnight.
Danske - Bradford vs Wasps was a sevens tournament played in 2002 so you can't even compare. And they went on to play in the International Dubai 7s and got smacked by a 2nd division team.
ok wheere to start.does anyone remember the fat slow union players of the amateur days moving to league.johnathon davies man of steel martin offiah try machine inga the winger john devoux?welsh chap all union players who excelled in league.um aha jason robinson is the only player i can think of who excelled in union.lote t strong but slow.union players are sharper and quicker as less time to think.didnt lachie turner burn off the league guys recently.look at the skill displayed in sevens.why must league always rant on about how much fitter and skilful their players are when clearly they are not
played both codes to high standard, found both games absolutly magnificent, love the scrums and mauls in union, and love the crack of players. but for me and alot of my other team mates from both codes will admit league is the faster harder more skillful more painfull and alot more rewarding than union also the lads in league are salt of the earth working class boys and you find they would kill for you but dont get me wrong union is fab game but it just isnt a patch on league. also would like to see some cumbrian teams in super league.... GO WHITEHAVEN GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
union is getin beta but its stil got a lng way 2 go b4 its anywer near the pace agility and stamina of league, league is the far beta game hands down...........oh and this weekends union was crap very very boring, even my hardcore union m8s said so.
Union rules
Rugby is boring without racks, mauls, scrums, lineouts . Rugby Union forever
Read many comments regards the pros and cons of Union and league, and too be honest I live Rugby League and Watch Rugby Union if a league game is not on. I have played both codes and played against international teams representing my county/state. I remember being on the wing playing against Auckland and being the typical Union game, the ball never came out there unless the five eight kicked it to the opposition winger, and if it was raining in the middle of winter you just got soaked and cold and even as a player it was boring. I changed to league as a centre/ wing and was immediately given the opportunity to run with the ball and work out tactics with fellow back line team mates with the coach offering his experience to get the best out of us.
I played against England that year and we won and if anyone says that League is not a thinking game, it is because they have never played at top level and have become biased.
I see the possibility of a rule change in the NRL competition, which will change the game of Rugby League forever, it was trialed during the All Star match this year and if brought in, will see the virtual end of scrums and penalty line kicks. If the ref notices an infringement by the defending team, he does not blow his whistle and halt the game he simply calls out "Zero Tackle" and the attacking team has six more tackles. The game was played at a ferocious pace with unlimited interchange. It was a spectators delight, and if the Rugby Union wanted to give the same experience at this stage they only have to remove the pea from the referees whistle and stop tired players from laying around on the ground adjacent to the scrums.
I'm in Texas and hv only seen Union games, super15, tri-nations and the world cup. I love sport. Scrums rucks an mauls can get tedious at times but are also gateways to some great action.
League however does sound more fluid but dont know if that wouldn't be like taking the knights out of chess.
As a American football (best sport in the world) fan if given a choice i'd prob pick League.
Just because something is bigger doesnt mean it's better. Biggest let down for union has to be all the set plays. League scrum or foot tap and the game is off straight away. And what's with all the fat old men jumping into a pile. Did some drop some sweets or a pie or something? And the guys who said about union is a mans game and league is a girls game. My advice have a game in front or Second row in league and play a bit dirty and see what happens. Union banning the shoulder charge that's the worst decision ever made by any sport! Nothing more satisfying than smashing a 18st or 110-120kg bloke straight off his feet and the surprised look on his face is by far a priceless moment. I normally play 2nd row have occasionally played front row and lock (loose forward). League players built for lightning pace roundhouse power and energizer battery stamina. The utter top class of athletes that are good at everything where in leafue you have players that only have one trait. Us league players play rugby the way it was intended to be. Risking everything to win no matter what it takes.
i think its still even more complex than whats written as things can still be broken down again. you cant say the league tackles are harder, as they are not tied with the same rules as union players, in league you can happily charge player an crash into them, in union you have to make an attempt to wrap the arms or you could see red, so on that note alone league is going to have harder clashes as its easier to smash somebody when you can keep your arms tucked in giving you a stronger platform for a hit.
at the end of it all there is no 'better' one all i know is they are both better than football.. an really, thats all that matters !
Rugby is more skillful to the skilled observer. I will never expect Rugby League peasants to understand!!! I say watch what you want its all taste, some people like Europe holidays some like Bali, some people love formula one same like V8s, some people like Penfolds some people love goon. One thing we can all agree on is that if you like League its because its all you know and therefore understand.
but one thing i would mention is the way that leauge players adapt to union so well...when do you see union players moving to leauge?
--- That is laughable. That is so one-eyed. That is so demonstrably false.
Played both games until I was 17. Made the decision to carry on playing League and packed in Union. Best decision I ever made. Rugby should be about doing the basics well, thats passing, tackling and support play. It goes without saying that the ball is passed more in League. As far as tackling is concerned, the stats for the England vs Wales Six Nations game showed the top tackler made 19 tackles. In League, some players make 19 tackles in the first 20 minutes and in general, a greater number of tackles are made throughout the game. A few months ago I was watching a Super League match on TV while an international Union match was on another channel. Every now and again, I turned the TV over to check the score of the Union game. Every time I turned the TV over, the teams were packing down for a scrum and taking up far too much time to do so. Jonathan Davies, who was a fantastic of both codes, once said that he could get through a Union match with hardly a finger laid on him. However, when he played League, he ached for days. At any of the comparable levels of both games, League is faster, tougher, more skilful (basics) and better to watch and play. Shame the adminstrators aren't as good as the product on the park. League for me, all day long.
for me union is better..more tactical and unpredictable.. league is good too but i find it boring when i see repetitive actions and expecting to kick the ball after the 5th tackle..maybe the solution is they should create a hybrid rugby game that emphasizes on key assets of both codes...exciting isnt it?..
willo712, you read my mind.
The tension of watching Toby Flood kick a penalty is almost as entertaining as watching 16 dinosaurs shove their heads up each others arses for 60 of the 80 minutes.
No stamina, no athleticism, no skill with ball in hand, no general kicking skill, no intensity, every two minutes the game is stopped because of the abundance of errors or line outs, game promotes kicking at goal (zzZZZZZ).
Let me offer a response to the bias Union fans comments that "the best League players see the light and move to the superior code". Use your brains and realise that they choose to move codes because of the money and the fact that Union is not as physically demanding as League. The reason Union players are paid more is because the Rugby League administration in the northern hemisphere are incompetent.
N.B. I have watched both codes extensively. If you disagree with anything I have said, you either don't understand the game or haven't watched League.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YILC-7k2VDM here is a perfect example that techniques in Union are inferior.
I watch the Union on Sky Sports every week. I tune in and see 4 extremely well educated blokes, all with extensive and complex vocabularies talk about the up coming game like its rocket science. They break down the up coming game, analysing, pondering and discussing along the way.
Eventually, the game gets under way, 30 seconds in, somebody has dropped the ball and we have to wait 3 minutes for a scrum to be formed.
This is a recurring feature throughout the game, whether it be through stupid mistakes or penalties. In the post match analysis, the same 4 well educated blokes analyse the mistake ridden game like it was something special.
Is it just me or is anybody else not buying their BS?
My old grandfather had a saying. You can polish a turd, but its still a turd.
There is this common belief that to play union you need the use of tactics & be a 'cleverer' player, whereas league you just crash into one another & hope for the best. This is complete nonsense. To prove my point there are more ex league players coaching union than ex union players coaching league (if at all), look at the recent 6 nations game between Wales & England. 2 ex Wigan captains masterminding a very good game. Don't get me wrong I enjoy both games of rugby which have both good & bad bits about them but both can be exciting to play & watch however, I do lean towards rugby as it is faster & more consistent than union. Also another common misconception about league is that there is no 'competing' for the ball like in union. There is plenty of ball steeling in League both legally & illegal. Both have there merits.
i love both codes but primarily play rugby union. union involves more skill. its easier for a union player to go to league than a league player to union. imagine if they played off against eachother like people say. its end up just being league coz they wouldnt allow scrums. the league players would probably break their necks. and lineouts would be a joke. as to the defensive side to the game league is allot easier. sure they run hard but its easy to tackle someone whos running straight at you.when you have 3 defenders tackling the ball carrier. in the backline in union its allot harder to defend where the attacker has allot more space either side. as to the toughness ive never met a league player who can handle being at the bottom of a ruck getting stomped on and rucked.this happens to union players everygame. league is better to watch if youve never watched either of the codes because there are hardly any rules and its easy to follow. league is repetative its 5 tackles then kick. union players kick more because territory is such a huge part of the game and you can contest for the ball whenever you like. a fullback isnt going to run into defenders without any support around him or else theyll just turn the ball over. union is a much more complex sport. scrums, lineouts,mauls, backline moves, all involve hours of practice. league is so 1 dimensional. dont get me wrong i watch league all the time. i just think union is a better game. and if you like league and not union you should be thanking us because if it wasnt for union league would never have been played
also no offence if your from england but your uk superleague is shite compared to the nrl and union up their is shite compared to the super rugby. both codes are way better in the southern hemisphere than north.
union is basically a retirement home for league players when their past the best, on average it takes a union player upto 3 month to get match fit for league wheras it only takes a handfull of games for a league player to be match ready for union, obviosly there are exceptions but as a general rule of thumb thats about right. just go union is shit!!! and just a note to the southern prick your NRL is bullshit to predictable and your union players have NO heart FAG.lol.
will, obviously an eton boy who has never played league.
Absoloutley no question, League by a country mile, I played Union and have watched League for 53 years. Union is boring and slow, touch pause engage, whats all that about, its a joke. So are League scrums I hear you say, but its quick and the none offending side get the ball back. eg Whats fair in kicking the ball in to touch knowing you are winning all the line outs anyway.If you want entertainment with speed, abundant skills and TRIES there is only one winner. LEAGUE. If you want an afternoon sleep in front of the TV try watching 80 mins of Union if you can, 35 mins of which the ball will be out of play and you will have witnessed lots of penalties and the odd try!!
league is the better game to watch and play by far,but union is run and promoted better,by the toffs who had univeristy upbringings and kept all their hooray henry mates involved....
pimms or beer....you choose its your life,but go and tell your parents now that your coming out of the closet,cos ur a big poof if u choose union...:-)
If you want tries then league is for you. I do enjoy watching the odd game of union but only some of the players score tries in league everyone does! The super league is getting stronger and stronger. A few years ago only St Helens(my team) and Leeds were winning anything but now Wigan, Huddersfield, Warrington, Catalans and the two hulls are challenging to so those who say rl is dying out .. It's not!!
Answer me this, which has become one of the fastest growing sports in the world even though it was'my the first to go pro? Rugby union. Most counties enemy ones where union is massive i.e south Africa the majority of people never even knew there was another code. Bigger audience= more players at grass roots = more pro players = more competition to get to the top = rugby union a tougher competition
Answer me this, which has become one of the fastest growing sports in the world even though it was'nt the first to go pro? Rugby union. Most counties even ones where union is massive i.e south Africa the majority of people never even knew there was another code. Bigger audience= more players at grass roots = more pro players = more competition to get to the top = rugby union a tougher competition (spell checked)
yuvraj singh 2 years ago
amazing article... a balanced comparison.. i think its also worth mentioning that majority of points in league come from tries whereas in union its more off goals and penalties.. here is an interesting scenario.. the kangaroos (aus rugby league team) vs all blacks (NZ rugby union team) in a match that has alternating halves of union and league style.. hmmmm