The Great Union vs League Debate

Matblack · 25-02-2008, 16:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by leowyatt

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

Will · 25-02-2008, 16:35

Union > League Matt - end of.

Goose · 25-02-2008, 16:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by Will

Union > League Matt - end of.

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

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matblack

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.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Will

Union > League Matt - end of.

stop talking rubbish Will

If all goes to plan you'll get to watch some flowing rugby

Will · 25-02-2008, 17:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by leowyatt

stop talking rubbish Will

If all goes to plan you'll get to watch some flowing rugby

I want to watch real hard hitting rugby, none of this nancy boy stuff

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.

Matblack · 25-02-2008, 16:50

Hmmmmmmm

This League Vs Union thing seems to have been decided already

Quote:

In May 1996, Bath Rugby and Wigan RLFC, 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, 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/Compari...nd_rugby_union

Looks like Union won

That said I am still happy to see a league match, particularly if its a final between the best of its teams

MB

leowyatt · 25-02-2008, 17:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matblack

Looks like Union won

hmmmm looking at the score League had the greater winning margin

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)

Pumpkinstew · 26-02-2008, 21:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matblack

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.

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.

Will · 25-02-2008, 17:17

As long as we won it's good enough!

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.

Davey_Pitch · 25-02-2008, 21:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by Will

As long as we won it's good enough!

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

25-02-2008, 16:35	#2
Will BBx woz 'ere :P Join Date: Jan 1970 Posts: 2,147,487,208	Union > League Matt - end of. __________________ *No No!*

25-02-2008, 17:17	#9
Will BBx woz 'ere :P Join Date: Jan 1970 Posts: 2,147,487,208	As long as we won it's good enough! 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. __________________ No No!**