Diaries

Mark Reid
I have played both codes now and i believe that rugby league is so much more physically demanding it is unreal. Rugby union is far more 'stop start' than league as its endless rules just tie everything up in rucks, mauls, scrums whatever. At the end of the day u have to be fitter, stronger and more skillful to play rugby league. and sorry mate but 'a bloodbath sport for fighting'?. Watch a game of union then league. which has more fights and knocks - league. i rest my case.

David Chambers
League is obviously the better game. Union fans argue that it is a more fluent game, which is totally rediculous as union last for short peroids of time and it is very tiring and boring to watch. whereas league is a game with constant action throughout the whole game. As a child i have always played Union mainly because i always have played there all my life and have friends there and there is no league clubs in the area around me. Even though i enjoy playing union, i still prefer the league game and rules as it makes the game more enjoyable to play and watch!1

James, Melbourne Australia
Union is way better. Personally id rather be mauled and perhaps later killed by a rabid mob of wild pigs than have to play a game of Rugby League.

Seti
Hi guys! I live in Australia and both codes are pretty much head to head these days.Compared to my time in high school where league dominated.I was a loyal fan back then and a potentially good player. Although I have since tasted the action of Rugby Union and must admit the essence of what a team truly represents.The constant action and support of your team mates cleaning out after your down, their support in driving as a unit, as a whole. The strategy of play.The in-depth distinguished roles.The ego check which is absent in league.I was surprised and overwhelmed by the foudations of which union is built on.And it's funny even after that I didn't want to accept the fact, so I did some study and found that league was developed from union as a dumb downed game for the working class which could appeal to crowds of the working class and the working class themselves which is evident in the universities of Australia.Union is played in Uni's where leugue is not.The facts are not my words, just the facts of history.See for yourself. Cheers

Gary Featherstone
Rugby Union is the game to Play, Rugby League is the game to watch!

JP
there are more registered rugby union players in England than all the league players on the planet, enough said!

nick
union is undoubtably better then league for more reasons then one. i for one find league pathetic with it's limitation of tacles and the scrums ohh pleease two sets of people hardly making any effort to get the ball is NOT a scrum! rugby league people think that there game is better because of more ball play but no matter what they say even if union has less of it 30 mins of ball play in union is better then 80 mins of league .in league you always gain space because the other team moves back in union you must earn space with percevearence and tacling.both codes are mnet to be team sports but only in one code do the people in the team work together ,many a try comes from the work of the driving maul and srum wheras in league one person just runs forward and hopes that some one will back him/her up -something that rarley happenes .there are overall two main reasons why union is better ,something i've noticed in the entry's of this diary is the facts that there are countless league players that have come over to league in recent years and more still to come and the second reason is that rugby union is a bigger game world wide then league ,internatioinaly league is only a minoraty sport but union on the other hand is huge second and only to soccer is the biggest world wide code of football. and if what i have said deosn't convince you of union superioraty as well as my fellow union fans have said on this page tell me what will and i will reply!

ben dalton
there is no thug or gentlemen in rugby union its just sheer brute

krish
being a player of both union and league, i would have to side with union. League is more of a sport where whether ur a back or forward doesn't really matter. Everyone does the only thing; crash ball through the defense, or tackle ur opposite number. To be honest, there really isn't much in the way of tactics involved, other than hoping someone is there for an offload. The ball always stays in teh center and is rarely sent out to the wings. Scrums are meant to be a contest of strength, in league its just a show piece that doesn't really affect the game at all. I will say that league players are definatly stronger and faster because of the type of game they play; run and crash. Union on the other hand requires mulitple skills, kicking, passing, tackling and thinking. You have to think of a way through the defense (and u have more guys to run through!). There is a contest to maintian posession. The leaguers are good at tacking thats why unioners go to learn from them, cos thats all league players do. low club attendence? its cost the type of play is better at regional level and test level. League has its ups (few) but union isn't a game for grunts....if u want raw smashing power, don a pair of pads and tackle elephants like the yanks do in american football.

Warwick (NZ)
I have read a number of these comments and could sum it up one word.. 'tries'. The defence is far superior in league and yet there are a much larger number of tries. Have a look at the test matches and at least half the tests are decided by penalties! Do the stats and it's clear. I've won heaps at the TAB betting on no tries in a union match (60-1 odds, god knows why) When was the last time there were no tries in a League match? When I was young I played union for my school in the mornings and then league in the afternoon. I played fullback, and it was far easier to beat a man in rugby, simply because they are used to players running to them and kicking it over their heads. In league you have to tackle the man. My youngest boy was 'forced' to go to union because the local League club didn't have a grade for him, he plays 2nd five-eight, and his first comment after the game was "I've never been so bored in my life, there's far more action fielding on the boundry in cricket! Go to a local rugby game (any grade) and watch one of the backs (I did this by watching my son), he'll do little more than stand and walk for long periods at a time, because of a lengthy maul where the players keep running back into it because the opposition backs are alowed to stand shallow, forcing the forward to run back in. Or the Stoppages! Sometimes minutes to have a scrum! Whistle..have it again..whistle..and again and again. Take your stopwatch as well, and when the balls in play time it, and then at the end of the game take the time off the Game length. I consistantly come up with 50% of the game where the ball is NOT IN PLAY. When it is, over half the remaining time is in mauls. Someone commented that the league players only have to run back and forwards. You rugby players try this, and you'll see why League players (Particulary backs) are far fitter. They are moving all the time, unlike rugby backs. Wake up, League is far superior.

Dan
Ive played both codes, watch both codes regularly and there are clear differences in the requirements of each type of player. the is no denying to the casual spectator that league is better to watch - it is a lot simpler to follow and there undoubtably more tries and 'obvious' elements to appreciate, higher scores, lots of running and tackling etc. but as a union player at current, you really need to be an in depth fan or a player of union to truly appreciate the less obvious elements of the game. for example: the strength and stamina of the forwards - yeah they do look slow round the pitch, but once youve been in a union scrum you'll soon realise why! union has more diveristy and elements to appreciate- which you can only fully understand once you have exopereinced it 1st hand. it can be quite baffling to the casual spectator. at club level i can see why league is more popular, but When you look at the game at the highest levels a classic union match is a superirior to a classic league match. Watching the All Blacks play is truly an amazing spectacle. However, both codes are damn sight better than football! i love watching the world cup - but all these people rolling around and falling over - its hilarious.

Alex Turner: S.R.U.F.C
I have played union from a young age and now playing at U19's i still love it. League players are always argued about how powerful they are, thats because they lift weights all day and when it comes to playing they stand and wait for the ball, perhaps run 5 meters then stand abit more. Someone get the winger a cup of tea! Union is about free flow passing with speed, ruks, mauls and scrums. Its a continuum, even the tubby geezers fitness is solid apart from the fact that scientists have found players can go through pressures resembling car crashes in scrums, it clearly shows union on top. A league changing room before a match would sounds along the lines of "come on lads, use some of my hair gel it makes u look 3 years younger for the televison" At what stage do they speak of tactics, supporting the player and communication and smashing the mother trucker off a ruk!? It seems to me that population of the game is drawn down to money, its like golf, watching it is like watching paint dry but people watch it cos they no the winner of the tournament is going to earn a hundred thousand!

ruby louise
no i am a girls play rugby union for club called leo's it fun it is not a men's game it girls two i like leeds tykes as well that good

kayleigh
well you see im kayleigh and i play for an u 16s girls rugby league team and you see the thing is that we have to support league because we can play it but there is no union team where i live so what is it i should do support union or league.

Martin Copelin
In Australia it is regarded as other way round. League is faster and better but both are great games - miles ahead of soccer. Cheers.

Boyo
I live in aust. and the only people who support league here are sad old men sitting in the corner of the pub! When super 14 is on it gets all the attention, and is promoted by most pubs as it gets the punters in, leagues don't. I played both games but find league really dull. As a kid I loved league, but soon realised if you took away the hype there wasn't much left. what I hate about league is that one man can run the ball forward while the entire team stands around together behind him waiting for their turn (bit like under 7s football). In rugby (ps league is NOT rugby) or football, you need to be aware of your support, move into space and create room, not get isolated. In league as no contest for ball this is not required. Therefore is no real risk of running the ball and so no real excitment. When was the last time you saw a backline move in league? It's all one out. Enough said. Union, bigger, harder, faster - just ask Andy Farrell (keeps injuring his toe apparently!)

lawrence
other way around

john (dont play just watch
it seems to me that when it comes down talking about the two codes in this debate all the braindead league enthuseast just talk about how haaaaard!!!!!!!!the league players are and how rough there game is.however the union lads all talk about how tecknical there code is and how it requires more intelegence than league thats just telling me that union is played by peaple of much greater intelegents on the other hand leage players look like theyve just crawled from under some rock passed a ball and tolled to run backwards and forward at some other brainless idiot nuf said

gegs
league is for people who carn't understand union. Union has far more to it than takle and run like league. Union players also have far much passion and courage than league players who would never dream of pushing in a scrum

ALex
allright im aussie and league is ordinary. they flash it all over our t.v and they never play union unless u have cable. league is a slow game were forwards and backs have no meaning they just all do the same boring thing. union is a lot more complex, a lot more disipline is required and tactics. i understand union can be stop start but there is nothing better than a maul or a good turnover.

league is so much betta....
ok man, union sux...srsly, THERE'S NO TACKLE COUNT, so why do they always kick, something about field position??why don't they like not kick, work their way down the field n score?? and wat's wit all da rules, these rules r almost applied @ random, srsly dude i dont even think the players know them all. Half the time they're standing round with a look of bewilderment on their face as play is being halted for anotha rule infringement. and sum1 really needs 2 teach those unioners how 2 tackle. man im so sick 2 death of u union whiners sayin that unioners r the real 1's who can tackle.um...no. they r NOT braver becoz they go in 1 on 1 tackles n becoz thye tackle around the legs. league players r smart n use more then 1 person so they dont get smashed n for effectiveness,and, they tackle around thebody 2 stop offloads.the smart thing 2 do.johnny wilkenson or however u spell his name doesnt even deserve 2 lace the boots of andrew johns, trent barret n gaz. that's rite-league players r so much betta. and unioner's only good players r ex-league players. No1 even likes union except for the snobby upper-class anyway. i mean. who goes 2 the club matches???no1. i mean ok they do get ppl. for the internationals, but these ppl. r drawn form a very thin social layer.

grant stephenson
league all the way even tho i play rugby fo wetherby RUFC U16s

Lloyd Frost
Watching rugby league is like watching a game of drafts. Watching rugby union is like watching a game of chess. Need I say more?

Dave
It shows me that rugby league is the superior sport when the rugby union INTERNATIONAL world champions go to a CLUB side to improve.

Rory Stone
Rugby Union requires more brains and technique whereas League requires strength and physical ability.

Dan Maybury
Wow, you have opened up a whole can of worms with this one. I have played both codes in my life and am an admirer of both. However I just want to talk facts here!!!! Leagues is the one for me and the facts do say it. When we have had dual code games League has come out on top on most if not all occasions, now this is not just in the league matches it is also in games where union rules have been played, FACT League wins.... Second in the last five years or so we have seen league players move to union and it appears to all watching that the RFU have had a say in getting club sides to sign the best league talent out there so they can play for England, or any other out there, Andy farrel prime example, I rememeber S Barnes talking about his switch saying that not of the bigger clubs with which he included Saracens needed him in that posistion, so why buy him... Because they knew they would be getting a tough physical higly skilled rugby player and the rucks and mauls are simple enough to pick... FACT League wins again... Third club Rugby league accross the board has far superior attendance to Union, so once again my dear friends RL WINS!!!!! Fourth is that the matter that all top clubs are looking to RL for assistance with their defence and attack, again RL WINS!!!!! I aint going to go on anymore and I know people will say RU has things that are better than RL.. But in closing I despite my rant and maybe Contradictory to what I have said, I do feel as though BOTH have evolved in to a situation where we have too totally different sports and the only way to get round this is to accept the differences and stopp fighting with each other!!!!

millsy a young player of both.wetherbyrufc
i am a young player of both leage and union plade both at a high standerd and in my opinion i beleive that leage as a spectatator sport is indiputibly better however having played more leage in my life than union i would have to say without a dought union is by far the more intresting game to play but this may only apply to my personal persishon {prop} wich in leage consist of runing the ball in for the first three tackles and then tackling the same three guys for the rest of the match.in union on the other hand you scrumage,lineout,ruck,mauls,support a runner, tacke a ball and you can even take part in some tasty backs moves

sam walker
League wins hands down!! I hhave played both codes i play union at the moment at college and before i went there 2 years ago i played league all my life and have supported the leeds rhinos for 19 years so basically all my life and i dont know what people are on about b'cos league is so much better and i dont know how people talk about the fitness in union and how they are fitter than people who play league but thats absolutely riddiculouse just look at the forwards in league they are probably fitter than the back in union cos they dont have to do owt they just stand in the same place all game and when they get the ball they kick it whats the point most of the game of union is played by the forwards. If you watch a game of union all they do is get the ball from the back of ruck or maul and then they run right back into it again wats the poiunt of that they may aswel just stayed where they were cos they arent going no where. LEAGUE RULES!!!

Ben Fenner: Bath Rugby Fan
Rugby Union is by the far the more complex one of the two, and, the better in my opinion!Having been in Leeds the last two years at university, I have been to see some Rhinos games, and I just find Union to be more tactically astute. However, when it comes down to it, the divide tends to be a north-south divide! Up North league prevails, down South union is best!Plus, I'd rather watch a rugby game of any sort than football, which is a very dull game!

Gerry
Alex Hill has the wrong idea if he thinks that RL fans imagine that RU is a "bloodbath sport." What you have in Union is a sport where players consistently lack commitment. Over the years the All Blacks have fielded teams of fairly average rugby ability commited to direct running and stern defence. Once again with the Lions tour we saw that British RU players simply haven't got the stomach to toe the line. All their new found (borrowed) talk of "big hits" and "putting your body on the line" couldn't be funnier. Keep talking complex tactics and "lines of running" Alex. All that stuff is good to hide behind - just like booting the ball out of play - very complex!

Frank
League is the greatest. All you kick and clap fans that are saying thatUnion is making advances and 'catching up' to League in terms of fitness and skill might want to check out why. Look at the team/assistant coaches... There are a lot of ex-Leagu players in there. Joe Lydon and Shaun Edwards to name but two. On the other hand I think Union's range of cup competitions (International and Domestic) is enjoyable for the fans although League is catching up in that respect with end of season grand finals and their own tri-nations tournament. For overall enjoyabilty though, League wins without a doubt.

Vincent Rennie: Leeds Rhino Fan and plas for Otahu
I think that rugby league is better than Union because i have experienced the game and it is a better one on o0ne sport and i think that league is better that union

Ian Charles McDonnell , Westcliff on sea Essex
Rugby League is by far the better spectacle.Better players , fitter players , skill , passion and......played by all ...not just beer swilling yah boo types.End of......

Ben Hoomans, Northampton Saints Fan.
In my opinion Union is the way to go. I have been watching the sport for 4-5 years now and before, I hated rugby, now, I love it. I feel that union is more competitve than league mainly because, there are no stop and starts as someone gets tackled. Competition still goes on, in the rucks. there is never a player NOT doing something, Union is far superior in my view and it will always be that way. Rugby union is a sport played by people who are required to be strong, fast, and fitness levels higher than any other sport. They have to run for 80+ mins, and think about play's, at the same time, in league its just a, "oh look I think I might run there see what happens" Union is all about pride, passion, and Beer.

JOHN
Having played both games and watched both games, League for me is by far the better game. In terms of viewing pleasure - which is surely what it's all about for fans - I don't know how anyone can possibly see that union is more exciting than league. Over the past 100 years or so, league has slowly evolved into the spectator-friendly sport it is today, discarding the boring aspects of the original game of 'Rugby Football' and incorporating new ideas throughout the game. Having realised this is the way forward, only now are we beginning to see the changes in Union, masked by a crock of lies from the RFU, about 'firsts' for the sport of 'Rugby' etc. LONG LIVE LEAGUE #1

Martin Copelin
Neither. Both are great games, miles ahead of that over-rated game called Soccer. However Rugby League is the better game.

Karl
I am an Aussie, still in Aus and all I can say is that hardly anyone plays union as compared to league and we can still manage to come up with an ok side if we steal league players to help out. I do remember widnes fogging bath a few years ago in league and union. Union may have improved with the super 12s and other competitions pitting the best against the best, but nothing they can do comes anywhere near the State of Origin contest in Australia. I have played league for many years and prefer the game at all levels because of the greater fitness and committment needed to play the game. There would not be many union forwards that could handle the tackling workload of their league rivals and in fact, this has been something union converts constantly remark about. Where as in union you might only make two tackles a game as a prop, a half decent league prop will make at least 10 times that. With union trying to catch up to league by adopting there training methods in both England and Australia it is obvious who has the greater skills in attack and defense. In Aus the union boys are hoping to learn league attack to counter the English having learnt league defense. The main problem for both codes has always been the class thing and even though Aus is seen as a classless society, the union chums still have the tie and suit brigade following them and giving them the good press. This has meant they have not had to meet the same high standards as league. Anyways, good luck to you Poms. I can tell you that nearly every Aussie league fan wants your game to prosper and continue to grow even if it means beating us one day (in a series). Our league side would beat our union side by at least 80 points and probably by over 100 and I am sure the same would happen over there, but maybe by 50 or so. I liked the comment earlier about union evolving into league and that is how I see it. League already took the garbage out of union and it remains the game union wants to become some day. The fact that the middle class and toffs are the mainstay of union will see it expand and perhaps to such a degree as to force a merger between the codes once more. I only hope that union has become so much like league by then that it wont be so painful. We still have a game that beats anything else on this earth for requiring every facit of the best things about human beings. These are; mental and physical toughness, human spirit, fittnes,skill and friendship. You league supporters need to tolerate union. Go The Knights

john inverdale
I reluctantly love league now as i am becoming increasingly incapable, physically, of taking part in any more post-rugby special recording session games of "pass the cactus" with the boys.

Delwin Jacob Jones
As a black guy who loves his sport was always rugby union that made me feel mosts welcome. I lived in Hull for 7 years but never got accepted at the rugby league club. When I moved to Bath it was a whole new world, a pro but friendly approach and the game was so much more in your face. The tackles was well hard and you had to be so fit. Rugby Union is de boo!!!!

Ray French
Having played both codes at a high level I have to say it was rugby union that gave me the most pleasure. I always enjoyed hard work and that's just what you had to put in to succeed at rugby union, it was a real mans game. I am not knocking league you had to make some effort to get involved and do well but it never really had the intensity of rugby, you could make it to the top in league without the same amount of hard work and levels of skill. For me, my favourite memories will always be of playing rugby union.

John Drake
At school rugby league was force upon us, we were never given the option of playing rugby union, the one time we asked if we could for a change we were sent to detention. After leaving school when my friends and I were free to make our own choices we picked rugby union and have never looked back. It is a much harder game to play and having come from the far simpler and slower league game it took us a long time to get up to speed, but it was worth it. When England won the Rugby World Cup it was one of the happiest days of my life.

Thoth
Rugby Union scrums are dangerous and should be banned. Rugby league players are fitter, stronger and far more attractive to look at than some mangled up RU player.

Kirk Raymond
I've played both codes all my life, Rugby Union only has bigger spectacles because the toffs in charge are scared that League will take over. The Challenge Cup is by far better than the Heineken cup. Watching grown men hug and lie on each other isn't entertaining and the backs do b*gger all other than kick. Ever played Lomu rugby? every buttons kick! What's that about? Rugby union scrums work by the fattest team wins. I've played union since I was 12 and can't play as much league as I would like due to living in the north east!

Jake Union
This is rediculous! I can't believe that you people are actually saying that League is "fitter, faster, stronger better." Are you guys insane?! Here is the truth. When league was started they were going to throw out the scrum entirely, but then they thought "Hmmm, maybe we could just lean on each other and that will give us time to rest and relax." Union scrums are a battle in itself. And I can't help but laugh my ass off when watching rugby league as they get tackled, they flop around like a fish. Sorry guys, but union is truly a sport for MEN, and league... well, it's just for those guys that are not good enough or are just to scared to make it into union. Slainte

HaHa
I must admit, it amuses me with all these yorkshire fools supporting a very predictable and unexcitable game, by the name of league, haha, union always takes the edge on it, p.s. England are the worst at union ever.

David Raymond, Cornwall
A few years ago, I entertained a Mexican-born American who had never seen a game of 'rugby'. We firstly watched a Union game between Australia and New Zealand which ended up something like 35-33 and was considered and all-time 'classic'. Then we watched a Wigan vs St Helens league game which was considered a very good game but not a classic. I aksed him which game he preferred, and he replied, "the second one by far"! Personally, I think rugby union has improved as a spectacle, but League is so much more faster, skillfull and more physical.

jion wilson
i grew up playing union but enjoyed watching league on grandstand. work committing i now travel all over the country to watch league and only have sky for league. league is by far the better game due to its speed and the time the ball spends with the players the skills on show are far superior and the game far more fascinating. league fan from nottingham yes its the southern end of the country where apparently league is not played according to union types

Jeff G
Marauders, are you suggesting that a union front row aren't well rounded? A job for an optometrist. Why do union shorts have pockets? Any idea's? If Rugby League had never existed, chances are rugby would be a more popular sport and that it would have evolved to look very similar to rugby league. Amateurism would have vanished decades before it did. The reason for the split was not really about money, but about the southern middle class elite wanting to maintain control of the game. Football, with it's middle class dominated FA faced a similar scenario. That's why the Football League was formed.

martin copelin
Neither. However at all levels especially the elite League is much harder, more spectacular and faster.

Dom - Leagues ahead
No contest league wins - fitter, faster, stronger better. Scrums who cares its a restart that ties up the forwards and allows for aset plan move. The union scrum only came about to allow the short fat boys who never get picked a chance to something during the game cos otherwise they are largely a defensive liability after 2 minutes play when the find it differcult to breathe. The scrum is also, as already mentioned hardly ever won against the head and just eats more time with constant collasping. Line-outs how hard is it a throw the ball straight, lift you player up and then either catch or haphazzardly knock the ball back (not very, unless you happen to be steve fatboy thomson - who finds the basic are art of jogging to them difficult). Again the line-out is there for the oversized lanky boys to get a look in a game they may be picked for based on ability alone. Another facet of the union games the delibrate knock on or missed opportunity overlap which often results in a kickable penalty for the team due a offside committed by their opposition 4 weeks ago when playing another team. Sending nearly £1m on a crocked 30 year who could only last at best 1 more season at the top - however in union he'll play internationally till he's 36. The england union team a joke when the only fit person in the team who can kick is a bottler. ha no wonder they need farrell with his high 80's kicking rate- bah wilkinson will never be anywhere near that level not even close. In League you are either an athelete or super athelete otheriwse you don't play. It rewards bravery, skill of individual and has best support play since pamela anderson's bra. Kicks to touch good kicks get rewarded with relieved pressure great kicks get even more so with the ball back for the restart. And no these are the kicks where the ball has to bounce in the field of play not a two a penny easy kicks of yawnian. The execution of basic moves of the overlap, runaround, cut out pass, backing up, use of numerous dummy runners, are prevelant in all areas of league from junior school level - The England yawnian team have still to learn to show and go, pass and catch. Well i think thats enough to be gettign on with.

Ralph
"It [league] is a stop start game." "It [union] is a game that flows." Poor Alex has got his codes mixed up - d'oh!

Dave Harrison
Alex Hill, If you really had played Rugby League you would never have had the time to find it dull, perhaps it wouldn't have been to your liking, but dull, never! League's complexity is obviously too subtle for those who have only played union. Union's apparent complexity is in it's bysantine laws which even most players don't understand.

Marauders
Clive Woody says Clive Woody I can't believe some people would rather watch two sets of 13 guys taking it in turns to run into each rather than a real competitive sport. The demands of rugby union far exceed anything seen in the 13-man game; the fitness, strength and skill levels in Rugby Union are miles ahead anything the northern code has to offer. Rugby Union truly is the greatest game. Is it because he is Jeff G Union is a far more rounded game, just look at some of their front row forwards.

mark
AlEX Hill, you want to give league a go. I played union at Uni and spent most of the games stood watching the fat useless forwards roll around the floor. Get your self to a local league side and will be suprised,its a bit more than running forward and jogging back you clown!!

Bob
Just a point - hasn't she noticed that the League to Union converts are in the majority RL players that are coming towards the end of their career and are no longer as effective in RL as they once were, and isn't she aware of the mass exodus of Union to League converts in the past and the fact that many players are still coming from Union to League only these are not reported in the Union biased media, these players been younger thna those going the other way to Union. League is what union would've become had it not been for the great split, which was after all caused by the upper classes trying to restrict and keep the game of rugby football from the working classes. Read your history of the game. Of course RL wins hands down, I've played both, admittedley only a few games of RU cos I found it too dull and too frustratingly stop-start, playing RL however you hardly ahve enough time to catch your breath. Alex has obviously never played RL if he thinks "jogging" up and back is easy, this is the hardest part of the game, if he tried it he would find out (as many RU players I now have tried and found out how hard it is)

Jack Whittaker
I don't understand these debates! The two games are now quite different and quite separate. With the exception of an occasional winger no player can move easily from one code to the other any more. The only common factor left is the shape of the ball, everything else has changed. So if you want to watch a fast skillful game where the ball is moved all the time and where trys dominate, watch Rugby League. If you enjoy scrums, rolling mauls, push-over trys, lines-out and a lot of kicking to touch, watch Rugby Union.

Shaun Craig
I like to watch both league and union but have to admit that I prefer union of the two. I find league to be rather repetitive and monotonous at times with endless hit ups followed by a kick. Union has far more variety in its play and is tactically much more interesting and sophisticated to watch. Having said all that a bad game of union can be really bad but good games of union are superior to good games of league. I can appreciate both codes but union has more going for it and its international appeal continues to spread while league seems mired in its traditional haunts.

Simon Jenkins
Having played both I have to say that rugby league is dar better to play and watch than rugby union. I daresay some find union interesting but for me it was just too slow. I enjoy running with the ball, passing, offloading and tackling. If I was lucky I would touch the ball 5 times in union but in league I was constantly involved. However, I am now 50 and just can't hack it in league anymore, it became too demanding for me when I got to the age of 34. I still play union every week, I wish I could see more of the ball but that won't happen in this sport so I just trot along in an effort to keep fit.

Liam Noxall
My father got me interested in Rugby from a very young age and I have been hooked ever since. My cousin prefers Rugby Union and finally convinced me to go to a game to see the Leeds Tykes at home recently. The crowd was very poor (barely more than 2,000) the atmosphere was shocking and the game was very dull. My cousin tried to convince me he had picked a bad game to bring me to and seemed almost embarrased himself. I went with an open mind, however I shall stick to 'real' rugby in future. With reference to Charlotte Sizers comments re: Rugby players moving to Rugby Union proving it is the better code, surely this proves that Rugby Union has to poach league players due to the problem with there are simply not enough good Union players out there, while league is a flourishing hot bed of talent who can spend their latter days earning vast sums of easy money during thier twilight years!

Alex Hill
Enough said - jog backwards - if you did this in defence you wouldn't manage to get back before the attack was running at you again - therefore being offside or conceeding a try every time. No wonder he found it intolerably dull if he cant grasp this simple aspect!! The scrum is not and should not be an importna tpart of the game - it is dull - it is much better to see the ball in open play being passed ala League than it is to see 16 players huddled together with the ball somewhere out of sight in the midst. Also after all Union's bandying about scrums and their importance, in the 6 nations only 7% of scrums went against the head - not exactly interest making is it? And surely a union scrum is down to size and strength? League is about skill and speed and quick thinking. Union doesnt flow - in the England Vs France game in the 6 nations the ball was in play for 22 minutes out of a possible 80. You cna hardly call that flowing rugby when the spectators touch the bal as often as the players. Compare this to the 1st GB Vs New Zealand game in the Tri Nations where the ball was in play for 53 minutes!!

Eric, London
I play both codes and can quite definitely say that League is a far more enjoyable and phsically challenging game to play than union. In League you are always involved in the action, in union most of the time is spent standing around waiting for something to happen. One thing I will say in favour of union is that it is far better to play it than have to watch it.

jon, widnes
it just shows who is the better code when the england world champions come to a league club to learn how to play rugby such as learning how to pass learning how to catch a ball and learning how to tackle. league is afar more skillful game alot quicker load more of big hits and the crowd are electric.

Tom Gordon (scotland)
Pretty much everybody agrees that Union is becoming more like League, if union is the better game why is this? Union will never be more popular than it is now following the "world" cup win and OTT media coverage. League is making inroads in the middle classes and universities which will eventually see the game leave Union behind. Natural evolution is taking place and the difference between the two will become apparent.

the_quill
There is more aerobic fitness required in league, but seeing as most of it involves running into the nearest player it doesn't make it better as a game.

Jeff G
Union is a far more rounded game, just look at some of their front row forwards.

Daniel Emerson
I played both codes during my school days; Union at public school and League at state school. Even at that level the difference in the codes' physical and mental demands are clear. There's so much more action in League and it is much tougher. Mentally, it rewards individual vision and talent as well as good team play. Rugby Union is more about sticking to the game plan. Because off-the-cuff enterprise in RU can often lead to loss of possession, the safe option of the long kick or accepting the tackle is usually the first and last resort. There's also a lot of standing around, constructing a set-piece play like a scrum or line-out. Rugby League is much less stop-start and (in my experience) you tend to see more exciting games. Rugby union has improved a lot as a spectacle in the last decade, as the players' fitness has improved and more of the top teams are trying to keep the ball alive and moving about, but Rugby Union's shortage of the basic handling and tackling skills that are taught from the start in Rugby League are still stifling the sport.

Johnathon Palethorpe
Rugby Union is a far superior game, brains and muscle combined to give the ultimate sport. Chess on a playing field if you will. Rugby league spent years poaching Rugby Union players in an attempt to try and improve their game, but ultimately they failed. Rugby League is confined to the north of England where support is more due to family tradition than the appeal of the game. Rugby league fans are generally a very jealous bunch, we all know why that is, their product is so far behind Rugby Union it's a joke.

Clive Woody
I can't believe some people would rather watch two sets of 13 guys taking it in turns to run into each rather than a real competitive sport. The demands of rugby union far exceed anything seen in the 13-man game; the fitness, strength and skill levels in Rugby Union are miles ahead anything the northern code has to offer. Rugby Union truly is the greatest game.

ronnie rhino
poo union yeh league

Ken Hossack
I played crapy union but all my life watched ace league

Don
Union is obviously better, it requires much more skill and infintely more intelligence.

Jon (London)
I have had the opportunity to play both codes at fairly high level and to be honest i still can't decide which code i prefer!! I have found that league players tend to be fitter, however, the presence of rolling subs does mean that some players only need to perform for 20 mins a half. Union in my opinon does require a lot more upper body endurance though, fighting for the ball in rucks and mauls. League is a much more marketable sport, well in the UK anyway. This i feel is primarily due to it being played in the summer. The conditions provide the opportunity for a much faster and higher skilled game. This point i feel is proven when you compare the Zurich premiership and super 12! League does have the added benefit of harder 'spectator friendly' colisions, with a 10 metre run up for the ball carrier and an opposing line of moving defence- someone has to give way! I would argree that union does require a higher level of skill, backs moves and genral handling does tend to be greater in union as there isn't such an emphasis on ball possesion, conseqently, the slightly more ostentatious moves can be at least tried. Lineouts and scrummaging also require a great deal of skill to perfect. So in this argument where does this leave me? right back to the start! These two games are becoming increasingly alike and will continue to do is. As for the movement of players between codes, this is generally due to financial reasons- who pays wins!

Aubrey Wilson
Well, of course it's a silly and provocative question! Both codes have their supporters and merits. But there is a misunderstanding amongst League supporters about Union. League is generally less self-assured as a sport and feels under threat. Union is simply indifferent to League - not that many Union people are interested. League will continue to be supported in its heartlands but the international dimension of union and its widening appeal will make competiting with it harder and harder.

LES ROBSON (NEWCASTLE)
I have played both codes and like both of them. They are both totally different games with the only common purposes being the shape of the ball and way that you score. I have to fall on the side of the rugby union, unfortunately in this debate. Yes I do agree that the rugby league player is fitter (but union is and will catch up with this), but rugby union has more skills involved in the game, and these change with the differing positions on the pitch. I do watch rugby league and have very rarely seen players perform the intricate moves that the rugby union back perform day in and day out. An example of this would have been the try scored by England against Italy. Yes before you say it I know it wasn’t a great team they were playing but look at the distance of the passes, the running off the ball and the speed that players were running when passing for the winger to score. Top class rugby union is about keeping the ball alive and not committing yourself to contact, super 12s anyone. Rugby league players will not normally pass the ball until they have reached the 3rd or 4th tackle, even when there is a blatant over lap. The most important difference between the two is the fact that rugby union is a game for players of all shapes and sizes; rugby league is not just look at the players they are all about the same high and build. (I know that you will find some exceptions to this) Also Rugby league has been nicking rugby union players for ages, Davies and Gibbs for example so why shouldn’t rugby union do the same now and again

Paul Male (Boston USA)
Having Played Rugby League until being 18 (Leeds Juniors u17's & Leeds Inters u18,) Played with Neil Hauge and Paul Fletcher Then transfering to Rugby Union and playing for Both Roundhay & Headingley 1st Xv's - with Dick Cardus, Keith Smith & Dave Caplan (to name a few) Unusual I could be one of the few players to have played for all the clubs that currently play at Headingley. As a scrum half the Union game required far more thought in my position while the League game required far more fitness (things have obviously changed and the games are becoming much closer in quality and skill levels. However from a social side Union won hands down. Still playing in Boston at 50 - Union of course - however Professional Rugby League has commenced in the States Paul Male

joe francis
league is far more skillful than union ! union is just a kick and run game which is boring to watch! league is far more exciting and better, yes it doesnt have all the major tornaments but its far more pop

Ben Fawcett
Rugby Union is a game for girls. all the backs do is kick the ball, where as in league the players use there skill to score the trys. In union the forwards try to force the way over the line, and stamp the other players where as in league, players go forward

Kirsten Leeds
You only have to look at England's form at the moment to see that training with the Rhinos was a waste of time and they should stick to how they used to what they were doing before as it was obviously paying off. Admittedly league players are much fitter, but union is a far more rounded game!

Andrew Freeman
This article is a load of rubbish. All you have done i asked people who are generally fans of either. To be perfectly honest to ask this question you should show both games to neutrals and let them decide. By the way league is clearly better. Why else would the world union champions need to train with a club league side. Also why would union be signing players Robinson apart who are coming to the end of their league careers.

Terrry -Los Angeles
The proof in the pudding is this: In order to survive and become a better game, Union has stolen ideas from league, including coaches, sin bins, video's, money(officially).etc Rugby Union does not flow, you get a break all the time. people are tackled without the ball, the ruck? don't make me laugh. The absurd media bias given to Union is perverse and out-of-date, this includes the BBC, who stilll refuse to give the sport the attention it deserves. Sky know a good thing when they see it. The cross code gaames of a few years ago, should have proved the point, as with wigan winnning the middlesex 7's, bbut of course League came out on top, so the national press din't hark on about it. I can appreciate both games, but League is the real deal. Union is not good to watch, it doesn't make a lot of sense to the untrained eye. League is easy to watch and understand, and most of all is quick, has constant big tackles, quick moves, all of what the fans want to see, instead off a big scrum where you can see nothing. Even the playing field with the media coverage and let the people decide.

Nick - Wakefield
League born and bread. It so much faster, skillful and the players are far more athletic than there union counter parts. Its a working class sport, native to the north of England. If only the national press showed a little interest in the game there would be no stopping us.

luke
no

Andy - Leeds
League is the faster and more skilful game in terms of ball handling and passing. League forwards are better at off-loading the ball than Union backs. Having recently watched a Tykes match how anybody connected with Union can think League is boring is beyond me. If Union is so much better why did the World Champions of Union come and spend time learning how to attack from a League club side and why is there defensive coach a former League player/coach? League is getting bigger and better every year and if it wasn't for the poor attitude towards League from the national press it would be even bigger!

Duncan Bickley
Union has more skill in the backs and more art and craft in the forwards. This is obviously true as the backs actually pass the ball, and ball is contested at the breakdown (though this seems to be increasingly on the wane). League is a more athletic game, requiring more fitness (because you spend all of your time running back and forth so as to avoid being offside). It also seems to be more violent as the refs seem much more lenient on swinging arm tackles and forearm handoffs. I am a Union man born and bred and I believe that it is tactically superior, and the more beautiful game to watch if played in the right spirit (France, Wales, and Samoa spring to mind). I love the way in union that if you continue to play in adherence to the laws, and retain possession, the game cannot be stopped even if the clock has run down, rather than allowing a hooter to end it all. Union is becoming more like league with each passing year. Both codes are great sports though and we should be glad that Leeds has two good sides at the moment. They are both a bit stop start but lets look at American Football. Four hours to play a game where the ball is in play for 10-15 minutes anyone?

Clive Woodhead
Where did you find Tim nice but Dim ?

Rosh - Leeds
The two codes have become different games, with different tactics and levels of excitement. Union is more brutish and slow with limited chances for the backs to express themselves, whilst league is the more skillfull, faster code with the ball in play for more of the game. It all comes down to personal preferences, but rugby league is the one for me every day of the week.

Terri
Its league for me all the way. Always has been always will.