That just about says it all. You could add the way Union has nicked the word RUGBY without so much as a whimper from the RFL, RUGBY=UNION. Rugby League what's that. We now have women's soccer nicking "Super League", all the ignored little points that are slowly shoving Rugb y League into the wilderness.

You do realise the above was evolved out of our game for various sound reasons as in a similar way as when we dispensed with two players? Scrums in particular are a big reason why RU is so slow. They have to be set "just so" which can take an age or are simply dangerous these days given the size of players and often result in penalties or are collapsed if one pack dominates another. There is nothing to be envious of here IMO and we are well rid of that particular extra dimension. RU types will tell you for as long as you want to hear it of the technical complexity of forward play in RU and it is complete nonsense. It is just different.

I am speaking from some knowledge having coached the game at junior level for a time when my son played for several years. I have also watched some big first class level games live and witnessed a kick fest with Munster v Leinster in Ireland as an example. The only extra dimension on show that day was boredom.



Being mystified why an inferior on-field spectacle has a superior organisation running it and is commercially more successful is not a sign if any chips on shoulders. In fact it is a huge criticism of those running our sport and not some sort of entitled view that we should automatically be the bigger game financially just because it is better.

Next we'll be talking about expansion of the game

Well after that BS i doubt your RU coached side was very good. If you weren't teaching your forwards the technical aspects of both set pieces as well as working at the break down then you must have seen some heavy scores against you.

Don't understand how anyone who claims to have 'coached' a side can say the complexities of the forward game is nonsense. I guess props and hookers just lean against each other and ball goes in the 2nd row right? What about body position when challenging for the ball on the floor? Do the line outs just work themselves out? What you have just spouted is the equivalent of saying RL is just 6 tackles and a kick with no technicality of controlling the ruck etc.

Doesn't sound like you are speaking from knowledge to me!

He was talking about technical aspects in comparison to League. He didn't say there were no technical aspects to Union, just they're different from League's technical aspects.
As someone who has played and coached both League & Union, it seems to me the only person talking BS would be the one who doesn't understand the technical aspects present in League.

That's the issue with the game, too much focus on these aspects instead of focusing on playing rugby. They run the ball in already hitting the ground, don't look to break the line. Too much emphasis on territory instead of possession. Like I said before 40% of the game the ball in out of play.

It's like watching 5 day cricket, a lot if effort but nothing really happens

That's something to be thankful for I suppose

Exactly. The various aspects of forward play in junior RU are introduced gradually up until junior colts level when by then all aspects of it are in the game such as the ludicrous lifting that the line out.

Did my son's team have to learn and practice this? Of course. Is it some mysterious sporting art form that elevates RU above League. Of course not.

Did the fact the hooker and the team have make up codes for throw-ins and practice that mean RU is some sort of thinking man's game. Not in my book.

There is so much BS spouted about RU's "technical aspects" it is untrue. They are just things to learn and most, in my opinion, do not add to the spectacle of the game.

Excellent post DaveO...

Rugby League will not be "dead on it's knees in ten years" far from it. There are more kids playing the game than ever before. Go round the local pitches (as I do watching my great grandsons) on a Sunday morning and you will find it thriving as never before. What's more it is not just in the traditional RL heartlands that the game is thriving. Places like Coventry and Gloucester, strong RU areas are now sporting good class RL activity. You are far too pessimistic and wrong about our game.

We live in an electronic age. Every time I turn on the computer I am bombarded with adverts, including a particularly persistent garden shed firm, who must have my details from somewhere. Where are the blanket RL ads? perhaps targeted at thosewho already have all the Russian mail order brides that they need.

Have you bought a shed or a Russian bride?

This has taken a surreal turn.....