View Full Version : The Great Union vs League Debate
Matblack
25-02-2008, 16:34
Not meaning to hi-jack your thread here Matt but wanted to know would anyone be interested in the Challenge Cup Final played sometime in August?
I know almost nothing about League apart from its a faster and slightly less violent version usually played by our northern cousins, but I'd be willing to give is a try.
MB
Union > League Matt - end of. :p
Union > League Matt - end of. :p
This is very true.
I'd like to give it a go though. I'm going to miss most of the meets this year, so I need to take every chance I can get!
leowyatt
25-02-2008, 16:41
I know almost nothing about League apart from its a faster and slightly less violent version usually played by our northern cousins, but I'd be willing to give is a try.
MB
It's rather simple to be honest and good fun. A very quick game compared to union.
Union > League Matt - end of. :p
stop talking rubbish Will :p If all goes to plan you'll get to watch some flowing rugby :D
Matblack
25-02-2008, 16:50
Hmmmmmmm
This League Vs Union thing seems to have been decided already
In May 1996, Bath Rugby (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bath_Rugby) and Wigan RLFC (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wigan_Warriors), who were then England's top union and league sides respectively, made history by playing against each other at both codes of rugby. The first match was at Maine Road (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maine_Road), Manchester under league rules, Wigan beating Bath 82-6; then two weeks later the return match was held at Twickenham under union rules the result this time Bath 44 Wigan 19.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_rugby_league_and_rugby_union
Looks like Union won :D
That said I am still happy to see a league match, particularly if its a final between the best of its teams :)
MB
stop talking rubbish Will :p If all goes to plan you'll get to watch some flowing rugby :D
I want to watch real hard hitting rugby, none of this nancy boy stuff ;) :p
I admit though, League does tend to stop less, however I just don't like that game play. I prefer hardcore in your face tactical, and exploitative rugby.
leowyatt
25-02-2008, 17:14
Looks like Union won :D
hmmmm looking at the score League had the greater winning margin :p
Oh and will it is a hard hitting game, I'll dig out a youtube clip for you of the test series between GB and NZ (we trounced them)
As long as we won it's good enough! :D I don't mean hard hitting as in "physically hitting the people hard" - I just meant from a spectator intensity POV. Each to their own though, I'm a union boy through and through. :)
There's no denying they are both heavily skilled games and the players are hugely tough mother****ers. No doubts at all. And they are ostensibly the same just with enough differences to change the game style. :)
Matblack
25-02-2008, 17:19
Ahhhh yes I seemed to have miss read the scores and thought for some reason the union boys won both matches. This seems like a bit of a silly argument anyway :/
MB
leowyatt
25-02-2008, 17:21
Here is the sam burgess vs fui fui moi moi hit (http://youtube.com/watch?v=pDj3OeR217g) :D
It is a silly argument :)
Yeah it is. But you're wrong :p
/runs....
leowyatt
25-02-2008, 17:28
No I'm not wrong :angry: ;D
Here (http://youtube.com/watch?v=OM4-C_iC4_k&feature=related) is some NRL stuff which is just mental
Matblack
25-02-2008, 17:29
A player called Fifi Mofo?
MB
leowyatt
25-02-2008, 17:32
His name is FuiFui MoiMoi (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fuifui_Moimoi) a New Zealand International
Sounds like a girls name!
leowyatt
25-02-2008, 19:41
Sounds like a girls name!
you wouldn't say that if you were face to face with him :D
He's actually a very good player.
Davey_Pitch
25-02-2008, 21:06
As long as we won it's good enough! :D I don't mean hard hitting as in "physically hitting the people hard" - I just meant from a spectator intensity POV.
Speaking as someone who simply likes rugby rather than being a proper fan, I have to say I find league far more enjoyable. Both are good to watch, but league is definitely more entertaining for me :)
Check this out for a giggle..!
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=tRNKWjk86es&feature=related
leowyatt
25-02-2008, 21:44
haha, just love the fact he says "no we speak French" but says it in English ;D
If you are ever up for going to a game Davey, me and Rob are planning on going to a fair few this season.
Davey_Pitch
25-02-2008, 22:30
I might well be up for that Leo, as long as Saints aren't playing Wigan, as Wigan are my team and I don't like watching them lose :p
Speaking as someone who simply likes rugby rather than being a proper fan, I have to say I find league far more enjoyable. Both are good to watch, but league is definitely more entertaining for me :)
Yeah I guess I can see why for a spectator's point of view league can be more interesting. I just don't get on with league as I do with union, it's just what I was taught and the game I've played :)
If you want hardcore rugby 7s is it though :eek:
leowyatt
25-02-2008, 22:52
I might well be up for that Leo, as long as Saints aren't playing Wigan, as Wigan are my team and I don't like watching them lose :p
Dang I was hoping to see Wigan get thrashed ;D How does Saints vs Bradford sound? You mind them getting beat?
it's just what I was taught and the game I've played :)
I understand what you mean but at school I was taught Union and we were a very successful team but after i stopped playing I began to appreciate the skill involved in league. Now don't think I'm saying Union doesn't involve skill I just personally prefer league :)
Davey_Pitch
25-02-2008, 23:42
Dang I was hoping to see Wigan get thrashed ;D How does Saints vs Bradford sound? You mind them getting beat?
Fine with me, I'm definitely not a Bradford fan! :D
If you want hardcore rugby 7s is it though :eek:
Too bloody right. T'is the only one I've seen for real too (Commonwealth Games 2002 - getting haka'd at - twice - rocks :cool: - though I couldn't see much of the rest :o).
Lynnie_pitch nee Leigh
26-02-2008, 09:33
Dang I was hoping to see Wigan get thrashed ;D How does Saints vs Bradford sound? You mind them getting beat?
Fine with me, I'm definitely not a Bradford fan! :D
So when would this event be? Would Kitten go or can I invade her and Sally and have a nice night in ;)
leowyatt
26-02-2008, 10:45
So when would this event be? Would Kitten go or can I invade her and Sally and have a nice night in ;)
June 13th I believe :) and I'm sure Kitten would be happy for an invasion......infact better ask her first ;D
IMO Rugby Union requires a greater level of player skill and awareness than League does. The rules in Union are more complex, especially in the scrum, ruck, maul and lineouts. Basically the role of the forwards is more in depth than what is required by their Rugby League counterparts. That said, there is no doubt that League is also an exciting sport to watch and is certainly not "softer" than Union. Obviously in the backs, the differences are less, to the point that some players change codes and get themselves a spot in Brian Ashton's World Cup squad without ever having to prove themselves :shocked:
Just my 2 pence worth.
I find myself agreeing with you :)
leowyatt
26-02-2008, 16:20
Interesting read (http://www.bbc.co.uk/leeds/content/articles/2005/01/31/student_diary_louise_200501_rugby_feature.shtml) :)
Alex Hill's comments are what I expected from most Rugby Union fans :rolleyes:
cheers leo - very interesting indeed.
might have to share this on facebook... got mates plaing RU in leicester and bath and my brother is obsessed with the Rhinos
leowyatt
26-02-2008, 16:37
my brother is obsessed with the Rhinos
heathen! ;D
lol. most of the family are from leeds (all other than him!) so he gets it from my dad!
leowyatt
26-02-2008, 17:12
hehe nowt wrong with that :)
Oh and just wanted to say if any of our union people would like a dvd with 2 rugby league games on let me know. I have 2 saints matches to copy for my grandfather (he doesn't have sky) so will happily send a disc your way if you want.
Davey_Pitch
26-02-2008, 17:57
Obviously in the backs, the differences are less, to the point that some players change codes and get themselves a spot in Brian Ashton's World Cup squad without ever having to prove themselves :shocked:
Was that Andy Farrell? I seem to recall him getting a very quick call up.
Lynnie_pitch nee Leigh
26-02-2008, 19:07
June 13th I believe :) and I'm sure Kitten would be happy for an invasion......infact better ask her first ;D
;D I can see her rolling her eyes when you tell her ;) :p
Pumpkinstew
26-02-2008, 21:44
This League Vs Union thing seems to have been decided already
To be fair this game happened at the end of the Union season (so the start of the League season) and the sport was only just turning professional. The League boys had been pros for years of course. Needless to say the Bath boys tired dramatically in the 2nd half.
I seem to recall that there was no (real) scrummaging in the Union match either.
The League boys sent invitation teams to the Middlesex sevens for a few years and did very well. Their understanding of running lines and support play is generally better than Union players, but then they don't have much else to practice. :p
Having played both I have to admit that defending in League can be a lung buster but they also have rolling subs available. Union is definitely the more cerebral game with complex laws and almost limitless tactical variations.
I prefer Union but I grew up in Bristol and was practically weaned on it from childhood so I'm not exactly objective about it.
Was that Andy Farrell? I seem to recall him getting a very quick call up.
You got it in one sir.
Nice post Pumpkin, I can agree with pretty much all of that!
Was that The Man Of Steel? I seem to recall him getting a very quick call up.
Fixed ;D
leowyatt
27-02-2008, 21:01
One thing I wanted to say to the union fans is when a player is tackled and goes to ground play essentially halts till the hooker/scrum half plucks the ball out. Admittedly the ball can be stolen but it is highly unlikely. Watching a wasps union game at the weekend this stop seemed to be nearly twice aslong as in League when the player is tackled. From seeing that I don't think League is as stop-start as alot of people make out :)
One thing I wanted to say to the union fans is when a player is tackled and goes to ground play essentially halts till the hooker/scrum half plucks the ball out. Admittedly the ball can be stolen but it is highly unlikely. Watching a wasps union game at the weekend this stop seemed to be nearly twice aslong as in League when the player is tackled. From seeing that I don't think League is as stop-start as alot of people make out :)
Quite true. In fact Union can be far more stop start especially if the weather is bad and both teams play a kicking game. The forwards trudge from one lineout to the next, one scrum to the next, and the backs hardly get motoring. There are more set pieces and up the jumper style rugby than you'd ever see in a League match.
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