Fabulous posts, thanks guys, especially Biff!

That should keep me in ammunition for a while.

I KNOW League has miles more action, but he's a bit of a statistics nerd, so I feel the need for hard evidence!

Yes, I know the sort, but sometimes you just have to feel the quality, which in this case means bring him along to a Bulls v whinos game (see fixtures thread for rumours about when that is). I remember how gobsmacked a work colleague who was a Derby (yes its a few years ago when they were in the top division whatever its called) fan was when he came to a Bulls game, thats soccer which is just miles ahead of union. I suppose with union you at least have plenty of opportunities to go to the bar without missing anything.

The trouble is, he does watch League too, but because he plays Union he feels the need to defend it! He's in his forties, and doesn't like it when I tell him that he couldn't hack it in League at his age.....can't think why

just like me (scored my last try playing for the Vets at the age of 48) and plenty of others, hes an embodiment of the saying "play union watch league" but he doesnt understand the reasoning behind the saying. Even union players quote it so he should know! So if he won't admit he's just winding you up, the only options are either a pair of glasses both for when hes playing union and watching league, or a brain transplant.

These are stats from the NRL & Super 14 for 2009

The real ball in play is after you take out the stoppages when the clock is still ticking.

Average single-game values.................. NRL round 26 2009 .............Super 14 round 13 2009
Restarts of play ........................................13 scrums.......................20 scrums; 26 lineouts
Kicks at goal (penalties and conversions) ........9 .........................................11
Penalties (not resulting in kicks at goal) .........11 ........................................15
Time of ball in play........................................62 minutes ............................28 minutes


In the final regular season round of the NRL, the ball is in play for 78% of the total game time. In the final regular season game of the Super 14 the ball is in play for 35% of total game time.

Source: [urlhttp://www.voxy.co.nz/sport/nrl-vs-super-14-differences-game-and-players/971/28136[/url

You have him summed up perfectly, lol!!!

Staggering stats!!

I know that they are different games, and I do not want to open up any Union v League can of worms, but, really, how can anyone prefer to watch 28 minutes of action over 62 minutes??

good stats giveetoomee, shows why I can go and mash some tea without missing anything when watching union on the tv, but have to wait for half or full time with league.