1 year

[LFCMariners]

Home form sure hasn't helped...

 

[Forum Phoenix]

RL is the football code that requires the least skill to play and the least intelligence to understand. Most of the players are not required to have any skill: just tackle, take a tackle and, if we are really lucky, offload. It doesn't even have the constant physical competition for the ball that RU has. And if you can count to six, and some can't, then you can understand it.
Still a good game though, esp State of Origin.

Have you played League? It's more physical than RU, because remember that your modern-day Union game is constantly being stopped for scrums, penalties, line-outs and whetever other infringements the ref wants to penalise. It's made a farce of the game. It's also the reason virtually nobody has successfully made the switch from Union to League in the past 15 years, yet plenty of ex-NRL players have coped fairly well in the 15-a-side game.

In League, you need to be powerful, evasive and in peak physical condition if you want to survive in the fowards. You also need to be able to complete an effective 1 on 1 tackle, or you'll be history. If you're in the halves, you need a great passing game in both directions, a sharp kicking game, the ability to make strategic plays and 'plot' the attack several plays in advance. If you're in the backs, you need speed, power, physical endurance and the ability to back-up your team-mate if they make a break down field.

RL is the football code that requires the least skill to play and the least intelligence to understand. Most of the players are not required to have any skill: just tackle, take a tackle and, if we are really lucky, offload. It doesn't even have the constant physical competition for the ball that RU has. And if you can count to six, and some can't, then you can understand it.
Still a good game though, esp State of Origin.

Have you played League? It's more physical than RU, because remember that your modern-day Union game is constantly being stopped for scrums, penalties, line-outs and whetever other infringements the ref wants to penalise. It's made a farce of the game. It's also the reason virtually nobody has successfully made the switch from Union to League in the past 15 years, yet plenty of ex-NRL players have coped fairly well in the 15-a-side game.

In League, you need to be powerful, evasive and in peak physical condition if you want to survive in the fowards. You also need to be able to complete an effective 1 on 1 tackle, or you'll be history. If you're in the halves, you need a great passing game in both directions, a sharp kicking game, the ability to make strategic plays and 'plot' the attack several plays in advance. If you're in the backs, you need speed, power, physical endurance and the ability to back-up your team-mate if they make a break down field.

Laegue more physical than Union? You avin a laff?
Not the games I watch.

 

[Atomic]

Laegue more physical than Union? You avin a laff?
Not the games I watch.

I haven't been reading this thread because it no longer interests me but this comment caught my eye.

A mate of mine used to play first grade for Eastwood. He was in the forwards. Ten years ago he played a trial match for the Bulldogs and he couldn't believe how much more demanding RL is than RU. He said he was so sore, he couldn't get out of bed the following day - and this guy is no wimp.

Incidently, he continued his rugby career with Brothers in Townsville until he was 40. I doubt too many first grade RL forwards can still perform at a relatively high level at that age.

 

[dibo]

i think union's more athletic for the forwards (and yes, i'm serious). the forwards don't get time off - they're basically in at every breakdown. there's no 'one out and straight up' bit where you have one run and then rest up in attack, whether attacking or defending the forwards are in the thick of it in union. for this reason and the fact that they're hitting from closer range rather than from a run-up, each hit is going to be less hard. it's more about the endurance than the sheer power of it.

that said, i can't stand watching it because it's f**king dull. i'll watch rugby league and follow the dragons, but it doesn't hold a candle to football and the mariners.