League or Union

[Forumbore]

You brought up the class element. Not me.

As for the line-out play, scrummage, rucking and mauling, you're welcome to them. the vast majority of League followers prefer the ball moving around at high speed, the ball in play for as long as possible, and players who are comfortable and accomplished at the basics of the game, ie Passing and tackling.

The 'nuances' of the Union game that most of its followers refer to are merely a smokescreen for the the fact that in terms of basic skills and all round fitness, Union players remain light years behind.

You are the one that became instantly defensive about the class thing. I have no axe to grind about either verion of rugby. The difference is that you are all guilt ridden about your plebby roots whereas I feel that all I am trying to do is point out some of the differences between the two games.

The top union players are now every bit as skillful and fit as the top league players thanks to people like Lydo nad Edwards.

[Churchill]

You are the one that became instantly defensive about the class thing. I have no axe to grind about either verion of rugby. The difference is that you are all guilt ridden about your plebby roots whereas I feel that all I am trying to do is point out some of the differences between the two games.

The top union players are now every bit as skillful and fit as the top league players thanks to people like Lydo nad Edwards.

England looked like a tub of lard compared with the All-Blacks.

[benn0]

You are the one that became instantly defensive about the class thing. I have no axe to grind about either verion of rugby. The difference is that you are all guilt ridden about your plebby roots whereas I feel that all I am trying to do is point out some of the differences between the two games.

The top union players are now every bit as skillful and fit as the top league players thanks to people like Lydo nad Edwards.

Elitism is such a wonderful thing. I wish I could be as 'non plebby' as you.

As for the top players - Yep they have come on leaps and bounds. The fact remains that for the most part RU is a game for middle - upper class wannabe tough guys who wouldn't last two minutes in a real sport.

[Churchill]

Elitism is such a wonderful thing. I wish I could be as 'non plebby' as you.

As for the top players - Yep they have come on leaps and bounds. The fact remains that for the most part RU is a game for middle - upper class wannabe tough guys who wouldn't last two minutes in a real sport.

tulipe!!! Now I'm in agreement with benn0!

[rootsnall]

makes me shout at everyone and everything about how the f@?~ Charlie Hodgson keeps getting selected.

For some reason he has brainwashed the pundits he's good when its been obvious from his first game that he is too feeble in both body and mind. Starting to rant now !!!!! I would love to see the stats for games when he has played. He stuffed up a game or 2 when they tried him at centre when JW was playing, he couldn't tackle my 2 year old !

[DanTheMan]

The fact is I don't know a single England Union fan who wouldn't like to see the team spray the ball around like the league players do. For too many years the England.. actually the entire Northern Hemisphere have played kick, lineout, ruck, maul. Kill the ball and have a slow restart while the more prolific Southern hemisphere teams have passed and used their backs to devestating effect. I love the way the Samoans play... as if they were still playing sevens. Ok they may lose a lot but then you get a classier team like New Zealand playing the same way and they're seemingly invincible. We could get away with playing a dull (yes Brian Moore, dull) game when we had forwards like Martin Johnstone. But now the rest of the world have as good if not better forwards AND they can pass and offload quickly. Why do you think Jason Robinson had such a huge influence on the union team? His style of play (league) was the fresh injection that English rugby needed and now you can see it happening in all of the European teams. They all have a full-back who's prepared to run headlong into the opposition rather than just kick. If it wasn't for league and, more importantly, league playes switching codes we'd still be playing like we were in the Micky Skinner era.

[DanTheMan]

For some reason he has brainwashed the pundits he's good when its been obvious from his first game that he is too feeble in both body and mind. Starting to rant now !!!!! I would love to see the stats for games when he has played. He stuffed up a game or 2 when they tried him at centre when JW was playing, he couldn't tackle my 2 year old !

The biggest problem I have with him is that he can't kick to save his life. He missed all the conversions on Sunday and when he goes for penalties you just know he's gonna miss. His off-loading and line leading is cack as well, which are vital for a fly-half. However, he has immense effect at club level. But it seems rugby selection is the same as it is for football. You may play great for your club so you're always going to get into the England team even though you can't replicate your form. Yes, Frank Lampard I'm talking about you. Step out of midfield and let Gerrard inside!

There just doesn't seem to be any passion in the England team now that Martin Johnstone has retired. And as for Andy Robinson... apparently Rob Andrew has said that his job is safe even if he loses all 3 matches! That's brilliant direction Rob... well done.

[Forumbore]

The fact is I don't know a single England Union fan who wouldn't like to see the team spray the ball around like the league players do. For too many years the England.. actually the entire Northern Hemisphere have played kick, lineout, ruck, maul. Kill the ball and have a slow restart while the more prolific Southern hemisphere teams have passed and used their backs to devestating effect. I love the way the Samoans play... as if they were still playing sevens. Ok they may lose a lot but then you get a classier team like New Zealand playing the same way and they're seemingly invincible. We could get away with playing a dull (yes Brian Moore, dull) game when we had forwards like Martin Johnstone. But now the rest of the world have as good if not better forwards AND they can pass and offload quickly. Why do you think Jason Robinson had such a huge influence on the union team? His style of play (league) was the fresh injection that English rugby needed and now you can see it happening in all of the European teams. They all have a full-back who's prepared to run headlong into the opposition rather than just kick. If it wasn't for league and, more importantly, league playes switching codes we'd still be playing like we were in the Micky Skinner era.

If only it were that simple

[DanTheMan]

Some of these teams make it look very simple! England are far too laboured. Will Greenwood is the only 'natural' ball handler I've seen for a few years where as the Aussies and Kiwis have them all over the park.

[Forumbore]

Some of these teams make it look very simple! England are far too laboured. Will Greenwood is the only 'natural' ball handler I've seen for a few years where as the Aussies and Kiwis have them all over the park.

That may be true but I think England need first of all to find a back row forward that can compete with Richie McCaw, George Smith, Martyn Williams and the aussie skipper (forgotten his name). Simply "chucking the ball" around as in sevens is not the answer.