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[footy_29]

I rarely venture to the depths of FF, choosing instead to remain in the comfortable lodging provided by the Redskins board, although I do try to poke my head around anywhere and everywhere (some innuendo). All that said, I have noticed in the past, and when I strolled through today, that there is talk of rugby league and not rugby union. I lived in Australia for a couple of years of my childhood and when I returned to Canada, I eventually joined rugby and still play now in the FRQ for the Indians. I play rugby union, so I watch rugby union, and I know only a few of my teammates enjoy watching rugby league.

When it comes to rugby league, the thoughts behind the game originally were two-fold: 1) the rugby union players went to the private schools and learned the skills and got the connections from there, therefore the rugby league was established for public school players 2) league offered the potential for a faster game by getting rid of the breakdowns and therefore more scoring. In my opinion, they failed to make the game faster because there is considerable leniency regarding holding down players once tackled, and therefore simulates a ruck/breakdown.

So, what I ask is this:
Which do you prefer watching: rugby league or rugby union? And why?
Do you find rugby union slower/rugby league faster?

[khodder]

There is quite a long history between the two sports. And in fact if you move closer to the present into the early-mid 80's and even into the late 80's Rugby League was a professional sport and Rugby Union was not.

I beleive professionalism in the sport of Rugby Union was driven by the NZRFU at ARU and the SARU who now form the basis of SANZAR. It was a way of keeping the best rugby players in rugby and not being pulled to league by the promise of being professional. This is still a problem at some of the youth levels of the sports, but that is almost a discussion for another time.

I watch both. I prefer to watch League. I find it much less "intensive" in terms of the watching. To not put too fine a point on it the Breakdown/Ruck laws are policed so differently that it is hard to get into a good place to view.

Most of the Rugby I watch these days is when NZ are playing or there is a good Super Rugby game on.

League I find to be easier to watch, faster, more changes of possession and I beleive would be far easier for the average American Football fan to pick up and watch and not be too confused about it.

Give me an All Blacks vs South Africa game vs a NSW vs Queensland game and I will find it tough to decide what to watch (I.E at the pinnacle both games are highly watchable and entertaining. However if I was given a choice between say Penrith vs Canberra and Highlanders vs Sharks I am watching the league 100% of the time.

[QuinneyluvsNFL]

League all the way! Here in England there is pretty much a north-south divide when it comes to the split, Union in the South and League in the North. Most League fans I know and have met, hate Union and the pretty boys who play 'kick and clap', but I will watch both, but prefer League
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[BathBengal]

Union and it's not close for me. The ball skills and some of the running lines in League are fantastic but it's too one dimensional. Scrums, lineouts, breakdowns and vicious goal line defence just make it a better rounded sport. It's bigger in every country it's played except Australia and Union is growing. I view League as a training game really because it's a watered won game that I've often played in training when your focusing on defensive lines and ball skills. It probably doesn't help that playing hooker the set piece and breakdowns are the best part of the game in my mind and it just wouldn't be the same type of battle from a playing perspective.
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[texans_uk]

Ew did you really add Aussie Rules?
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[QuinneyluvsNFL]

[texans_uk]

[QuinneyluvsNFL]

[texans_uk]

[QuinneyluvsNFL]

[texans_uk]

[BathBengal]

Every time I watch Aussie rules when it's on ESPN I always think 'I have no idea what's going on but it's awesome' I should try and follow it next year. There are so many types of football it's crazy.
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[QuinneyluvsNFL]

[Buckrock101]

League in a heartbeat. My favorite sport in the world. I grew up with Rugby, but it's just not the same to me. It may be more skillful, but that doesn't necessarily make it more exciting.

[EnglishLion20]

Rugby League, Far more enjoyable and exciting, not a fan of Union, never got into it.

League everytime.
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