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Klestical has written a series of interesting pieces which have got me thinking about the comparative entertainment value of the three rugby traditions.
To mark my line in the sand from the outset, my argument is based on the view that rugby, in any form, has a simple, fundamental goal; plant that bloody ball over the try line and fight like hell to stop those mugs over there from doing the same.
From there it follows that a game of rugby at its purest, should be decided principally by the number of times either side successfully achieves this outcome. So much for theory, but what about entertainment?
Klestical suggests that League seems to be eroding the dominance of rugby in the Pacific, he could be right.
I live in Spain and play for a suburban rugby team here. Many of my team mates had never picked up a rugby ball two years ago, so they make an interesting test case for how union and league are received by the uninitiated.
They obviously love their rugby here. They come to training even when Real Madrid is playing in the Champion´s League which is no small thing.
However, when exposed to a game of League on TV in our pub, the effect was dramatic. In fairness we were watching State of Origin, but the comments were instructive. Apart from the scrums which were met with derision, the speed, skill and brute force of the collisions were met with stunned awe.
Even my father-in-law who comes to matches to support the team, still prefers to watch the NRL rather than the SUPER 15 on the TV. But what about those who live and breath rugby from birth?
We often hear how a desire for tries is a Southern Hemisphere fixation and that Europeans prefer a gay festival of scrums, rucks and malls. Perhaps, but i´m not convinced. As i´ve said, I live in Europe and i´ve spent years following Six Nations rugby in pubs and work with rugby fans from Britain and Ireland.
Over here you have two types of rugby fans, the purists and the opportunists. The former need no introduction, the latter are those that are in the Pub anyway and finding no decent soccer on the TV…
As a rule, the purists are often happy with a bit of bish-bosh, while the opportunists only lift their noses out of their pints when entertaining rugby happens, ie. attacking rugby. So what about the sex?
I´ve mentioned the fundamental objective which defines a rugby match, we´ll take it as read that Roarers know the same for vertical folk dancing.
You have the physical contact, the maneuvering, ground is gained, positions suddenly change, tension grows, excitement peaks and you just know that this time its going to happen! Then, ppppeeeeeyou! For some reason you can´t fathom the ref blows up the game. Anti-climax!
The point is, while a nicely struck penalty-goal might be something to behold, well, it just doesn´t deliver the satisfaction of a hard fought ball grounding behind the line.
A penalty goal is like a lingering kiss, sure it contributes to the outcome, but if that is all that´s offered, you´ll go looking elsewhere right? You bet, straight into the welcoming arms of Rugby League, the game that always puts out.
The world is changing. High speed internet and growing disposal incomes outside of the West mean League is no longer land locked inside the Island of OZ, NZ and Northern England.
Rugby´s power brokers need to decide who and where their fan base will be in decades to come.
League is easier to follow, easier to learn and as i´ve said, it doesn´t tease or hold out false promise. I´m not arguing that rugby has to copy league, but it could be truer to its origins as a ball carrying game. I´ve a few suggestions below.
• Keep opposing scrum halves out from the other side of the scrum. Scrums deliver blessed little clean ball at the best of times without letting pesky nines balls it up.
• Make penalty attempts drop kicks. Cynical play inside your own 22 will still risk a three-point penalty, whilst reducing the endless repetition of fancy-panced out halves gracefully knocking the ball between the sticks.
• Enforce a straight feed into the scrums. What is the point of repacking scrums in search of the perfect engagement if the scrum half tosses the ball into his own side anyway? Honestly, in terms of competition for the ball itself, a union scrum is hardly better than the league version.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.