Comments on: A poor 2009 rugby season ends on a higher note

By: Ora

Ora — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 20:52:30 +0000

21st,
I would go as far as saying this wasn’t even the ABs not even close to it it was a match between second stringers and blokes highly unlikely to get a recall against a team of mostly SH players looking for that final big payday before the summer break.

By: King of the Gorganites

King of the Gorganites — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 02:48:10 +0000

still RU gets bigger crowds in leagues ‘heartlands’

By: Shahsan

Shahsan — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 10:06:27 +0000

Nothing wrong with the domestic scene wherever union is popular — except in Australia, where it will never overtake RL and ARF and shouldnt even bother trying.
Australia has succeeded thus far on the smell of an oily rag and should continue on that path. Take care of the top end and wait for the trickle-down effect.

By: JF

JF — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 10:02:10 +0000

Long live pointless arguments about football codes !

By: M1tch

M1tch — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 09:52:27 +0000

we both want what eachother has…we (league people) want a big international scene…union people want a big domestic scene..
the code jibes wont stop..I enjoy it

By: JF

JF — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 09:44:25 +0000

Just responding to the comment that “(RL) will have a bigger international scene than union in 20 years time”

This also helps to reinforce my earlier point that RU writers will stop taking cheap shots at internation RL crowds when RL writers stop overstating their international presence.

By: M1tch

M1tch — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 09:21:01 +0000

good to see you upto date with League news
btw what does ESL news have to do about a league team in Sth Africa?

By: JF

JF — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 09:04:21 +0000

In other European RL expansion news, Celtic Crusaders have been forced to base themselves in Wrexham in the north of Wales after failing to secure a home in the south for next season, the ‘expansion’ club will now be located 32 miles from Widnes, RL heartland in the north of England. Harlequins, the sole London Super League club attracted an average crowd of less than 3,500 last season.

Maybe want to adjust your forecasting Mungoboy.

By: Springs

Springs — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 04:44:43 +0000

It doesn’t say anything. The 12K in Toulouse and the conisistent good crowds in Perpignan are better representationsof League in France. Not very big but building,

By: Rin

Rin — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 02:40:15 +0000

Ha ha rugby league in SA, mate be serious, you must be on something, there is more chance of Tiger Woods being faithful than that.

By: pothale

pothale — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 17:55:18 +0000

Eh – Ireland, France, Wales, England, Scotland, Italy – that would be 6 out of the ten tier one countries, and there are plenty more semi-professional teams in Canada, US, Romania, etc.

And your point is?

BN – “besides, Wales, NZ and SA where else is rugby union really that big?”

France and Ireland would be included in that. Even though rugby is the 3rd or 4th sport in Ireland, it has become the fastest growing sport in the last 10 years, and the clubs are oversupplied each season with new kids coming in. In contrast, most people wouldn’t even know what League rugby is, never mind how to play it.

By: pothale

pothale — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 17:38:14 +0000

“The beauty of RU is the journey itself: the battle for forward domination, the work at set pieces, the choice of tactics and the decision making involved.”

Nicely written, Shahsan, and well put. Shall remember that. Thanks.

By: Ai Rui Sheng

Ai Rui Sheng — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 16:46:59 +0000

Sadly I cannot think of a hat trick that did not include three tries, or perhaps, Rex Mossop is alive and blogging. If you had thrown in a malapropism or two to go with the tautology, I would be certain!

Why do so many Australians have to trash other sports. Who cares about your inferiority complexes.

I love to watch Carlton trash Carringbush or Dame Edna’s mob, and anyone trash the Manly ferries. I also love to watch the Jets or the Giants inventing a new way to lose when they have the game won. I really love to watch the Tri_nations rather than the Bi-Nations aka Six Nations. I have a lot of love, don’t you think?

By: mungoboy

mungoboy — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 13:23:01 +0000

well well spiro, the wobblies had another disapointing year, rugby is dead in its arse in Australia, rugby lee is taking over Australia and will have a bigger international scene than union in 20 years time, inc. an NRL team in South Africa in 12 years time. cheers

By: MyGeneration

MyGeneration — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 12:43:08 +0000

David G, it probably can be calculated but I’m not sure that it matters, ‘Mungo’ and ‘Rugby Lite’ = more cheap shots (sigh), I’m not sure what you mean by “despite it’s demise on the international scene till the late 70s”, and thanks.

By: David Gleason

David Gleason — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 12:11:31 +0000

MyGen, do you also believe like many a Mungo that Vichy caused pemanent, incalculable damage to Rugby Lite despite it’s demise on the international scene till the late 70s?
Nice Zappa avatar btw

By: JF

JF — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 11:20:24 +0000

Yes, RU writers do like to emphasise the international issue – it is their chance to land some blows on the RL folk for once, some people just can’t resist.

By: damo

damo — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 11:12:08 +0000

For a game that doesn’t have to justify itself there’s a lot of justifying going on. I like league. I love rugby.

By: MyGeneration

MyGeneration — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 10:30:51 +0000

I wouldn’t say it’s constant. There are one or two on this site, but I’m a bit disappointed when someone like Spiro takes cheap shots and can’t even get his facts right. However, Aussie RU supporters like to emphasise the international issue because of the game’s relative weakness domestically. Be that as it may, RL does have an international calendar, and it doesn’t have to justify itself against RU.

By: JF

JF — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 10:21:37 +0000

I agree – this is just a pure cheap shot at RL, however RU supporters do grow tired of the constant claims of RL supporters that their game is taking areas of the world by storm, and generally overstating their international presence. RU has many of its own problems to deal with, taking shots at RL will only bring greater attention to these problems.

By: MyGeneration

MyGeneration — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 10:13:20 +0000

Makes you think why are Rugby Union writers obsessed with Rugby League crowds.

By: King of the Gorganites

King of the Gorganites — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 09:59:05 +0000

i believe the 6K in paris says it all…..

in france is the 4th biggest RL playing nation then the game is in trouble.

in RU italia isnt even in the top 10 but still gets record crowds (including 80K in milan). makes u think doesnt it

By: Woody Warambel

Woody Warambel — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 07:19:25 +0000

& Pothole what countries in the Northern Hemisphere have full time professional lRU competitions?

Two or three?

By: Who Needs Melon

Who Needs Melon — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 02:19:06 +0000

Spiro!

I think you have cheekily snuck in a range of controversial topics guaranteed to bait some and draw as many comments as possible:
1) Comparison between League and Union
2) The ranking of teams internationally
3) Springboks playing boring rugby
4) Giteau mentioned in the same sentence as Carter
5) The role of JON and Deans in directing the Super 14 coaches

If only you could have also snuck in:
6) The difference between NH and SH rugby,
7) The ELVs and changing the laws.

I’m sure I’ve left out a few more controversial topics. The role of ‘fabricated teams’ (Melbourne, Barbarians)?

By: LeftArmSpinner

LeftArmSpinner — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 22:28:10 +0000

Spiro, it was a season that ended on a higher note when you made the assessment. Sadly, the young conductor had mixed up the pages his musical scores. In the middle of his performance of Beethoven, the budding Conductor suddenly slipped into Motley Crue. The Orchestra’s gears immediately began to grind and the performance came to an abrupt and sudden halt.

Claiming that he doesn’t remember much about the latter is hardly a defence. After all, surely he can simply sort a few pages of a score into the right order. Alternatively, he may just drop all involvement in Motley Crue and all things UN-beethoven!!!

Cooper-stay off the piss!!!!

By: Fred

Fred — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 14:01:15 +0000

How did rugby league win the peoples minds when nobody saw it? There were probably as many people in Croke Park last Satruday week to see Ireland v the Boks as there were at the entire 4 nations.

By the way if you ran a poll on Grafton Street in Dublin and asked them who Greg Inglis, Jonathan Thurston or Billy Slater are? Well nobody would have a rashers and probably never will unless one of them signs for Leinster. This is of course is a terrible shame as they are wonderful players.

By: rugbyfuture

rugbyfuture — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 12:17:37 +0000

argentina shouldnt be based in spain at all, spain are on the up n up on there own and argentina can be much better in the sanzar club if they get a proffesional structure in place

By: Dave Glesson

Dave Glesson — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 12:08:03 +0000

The name Spiro Zavos is pretty much a swear word on Mungoball sites like League Unlimited along with Welsh rugby journo, Stephen Jones. and Peter Fitzsimons. You would think the fans of the tawdry rugby code would have thicker skin given the incorrigible culture within the Greatest Furphy.

By: bever fever

bever fever — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 11:59:24 +0000

I really dont follow either code but the start of this article was surely meant to inflame code wars with the league people.

By: Brendan

Brendan — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 07:47:49 +0000

BN
Above you state “and maybe South Africa”, that’s a joke right??? The currie Cup competition is hugely popular over here as is every other comp, including inernational’s Super 14 sevens etc. Most of money generated by SANZAR from their deal with Murdoch comes from South Africa because of the higher TV audience, relative to Aus and NZ.

Let me enlighten you on another little fact: When Argentina play a test match at home in BA they get upwards of 90 000 spectators packing out the stadium they play in and have done so for many years now.

In Ireland interest in rugby has grown exponetionally over the years. Proof: ever tried to get a ticket to see Munster play at their Thomond Park ground, a virtual impossibility unless you’re a local. You obviously didn’t see the Leinster v Munster Heineken Cup match played in Dublin back in May, another full house.

Rugby in Italy is also growing while interest in Spain is also on the up reflected by the TV viewer numbers, in Spain, during the last World Cup (a good reason why Argentina should join the 6 nations and be based in Spain)