jake's Contributions

Hi Funktapuss Lower crowds at league in Sydney can be explained by the fact that the game is played in suburban grounds across the city as opposed to two huge stadiums within 10 miniutes of the CBD and Sydney dosent have the best public transport from my understanding. Unlike the AFL there isent a fixed season in the NRL (fixtures are decided by TV Networks a few weeks in advance) so fans cant plan late-season away trips. With Rugby League being such a good TV sport many fans take that Option (Ratings in Australia and NZ don't lie). In conclusion higher Sporting Attendances don't necessarily mean more passion. In saying that living in Melbourne has taught me to be a true live sports lover. Your Second Comment is just ridiculous. If there was any sport designed to "stop the colonials from creating their own sporting culture" then that is clearly Rugby Union. Its the upper class game that was played and promoted in establishments such as the military and the universities, witch are key to Colonization. RL, The rebel, working class, northern game made its way to Sydney through the strength of the game (correct me if I'm wrong but didn't the rugby union authorities try to shut it down through confiscating grounds when it first started) Interesting how RU took off in many other British Colonies, clearly the game that was promoted. What makes the game uniquely Australian is that many of the rules that make League what it is today were created in Australia (6 tackles, 10 ms, uncontested play he balls, 40/20s). Also the kangaroos dominated International RL for decades and the pinnacle of the sport is played between 2 Australian states.

AFL oddity in west Sydney as Giants and Suns rise

21 Feb 2011

I agree col that heritage Jersey is awesome!!! they should also go back to being called Auckland Warriors!

Brisbane licking their wounds after Warriors hiding

30 Mar 2010

Since this thread is still thriving 4 days later il throw this in there to spice things up: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/best-of-sport-analysis/news/article.cfm?c_id=1502180&objectid=10632479 an article by Chris Rattue about the superior spectacle that League offers in comparison to Union. Note the readers comments from common kiwis about 60 percent of them prefer League (Union is supposed to have a "religious" like following in NZ) I know this is completely unrelated to the topic and it is instigating code wars but lets face it with a title like that the thread never had a chance!

Russian rugby league at crisis point

18 Mar 2010