They say rugby’s the game they play in heaven. But where do they watch it from?
Bring up this topic and your options are twofold: watch it from the comfort of your home in front of your TV, or treck out to the ground to soak up the live atmosphere.
But which is better? There are benefits to both, but to figure out the definitive answer, we’ve posed the question to our two Roar editors to see who can make the stronger argument.
On one side, we have Daniel Jeffrey, who’s arguing in favour of watching the game on TV, while BJ Conkey will be putting forward the case for fans of getting to the game.
Let’s get to it!
For: Why it’s better to watch rugby union on TV than at the ground
Daniel Jeffrey, Editor
There’s no such thing as too much sport. No such thing as too much rugby.
If you don’t subscribe to that train of thought, you’ve found your way into the wrong part of the internet.
If you do, then you’ll want to be able to watch every minute of every game, no matter where it’s being played. The only way to do that is by watching on TV.
Few things are better than sitting down to watch a smorgasbord of rugby on a Saturday afternoon, settling in for a sporting marathon that will keep you entertained all evening and beyond.
Take this weekend, for example. You’ve got the Wallabies’ final June Test against Italy, followed by the first Test between the All Blacks and British and Irish Lions.
True rugby fans won’t want to miss a minute of either game, but if you get yourself tickets to either match, it’s going to come at the expense of the other. Good luck trying to get from Suncorp Stadium to Eden Park in half an hour.
Add in South Africa’s match against France later in the night and Argentina playing European up-and-comers Georgia, and there’s no doubt TV’s the way to go.
It’s not as if you’ll be missing out on an outstanding atmosphere if you switch on the telly. Unfortunately, the state of Australian rugby off the field has been mirrored in the attendances so far this year. There were just 13,000 fans in Melbourne to see the Wallabies play Fiji. That’s pretty much par for the course based on Super Rugby attendances this year.
There’s just no disadvantage to watching on TV.
(Photo: Paul Barkley/LookPro)
For: Why it’s better to watch rugby union at the ground than on TV
BJ Conkey, Editor
One of the historic arguments about preferring to watch rugby at home was that you knew exactly what the referee was blowing a penalty for with a commentator or mic’d up referee telling you exactly what happened.
However, it’s no longer an issue with the referee’s decision coming up on the big screen at the ground. Now the minor gripe has been resolved it really is a much better experience at the game itself.
Rugby is a territory sport and you appreciate the tactics more when witnessing the game live.
You can identify just how good a kick is, especially when it’s outside the 22, by seeing exactly where the fullbacks and wingers are situated at any point in time.
You can tell when a player is likely to be isolated because you see the full ground and know when he has no support coming – rather than guessing from the limited view the side-on camera provides on television.
Unlike rugby league, the scrums are a physical battle and that’s worth witnessing live on its own. The sheer effort that goes into every scrum is felt from the stands.
You can also feel the pain of each player that gets in an awkward position in a ruck.
On those occasions when a team has a rolling maul working to perfection (see: England, 2003) there really is no better sight than being there to witness the sea of players working together to progress the ball up field.
The set plays in rugby make it a much better sport to be at the ground. TV can’t do a well-worked set play from a lineout justice because it’s impossible to focus on all 15 players at once to see how they choreographed the move.
I’ve often questioned why someone has kicked when watching rugby on TV, only to realise on replay that the player had no support or there was a guy chasing up the wing that the camera didn’t pick up.
The factors mentioned are applicable for any rugby game, but if you add in the atmosphere of an international fixture it’s a no-brainer to attend in person if you really want to experience rugby.
There’s watching sport and there’s EXPERIENCING sport. There’s no better TV for sports fans than the Samsung QLED TV which captures fast-moving scenes with ease. Every blade of grass is showcased in stunning colour and thanks to the Quantum Dot technology the game will come alive in your living room.
double agent
Guest
I think the ARU and the Waratahs need a reality check. Ticket prices need to drop considerably if they want people to come to the game.
double agent
Guest
WTF?
Plebs71
Guest
Currently OS CATO, so a bit late to the post but I echo your sentiments entirely and would add that at the Scotland game I seriously felt I was at an alcoholics convention. My wife and I and other family members were allocated seating near an aisle and I understand some like to go to the game and have a beer but seriously the constant stream of people either carrying beers or returning for refills almost constantly interrupting our view was pathetic. Just another nail in the coffin for attending games and paying top dollar.
superba
Guest
Derek Murray . Let me add to that . Took the boys to SA from Sydney on a boys rugby tour a few years ago . Wife stayed at home in Oz as that was the deal . We walked past Loftus at 1pm en route to the nearby student pub . I was in civvies .The boys in Wallaby jumpers . We walked past people braaing beside their bakkies ( utes) and drinking beer in the sun atound the ground. We were halfway to the pub when t this yell rang out " Hey you Aussie sheepshaggers come here " . (For some unknown reason, in SA the Aussies are known as sheepshaggers rather than the Kiwis). It was a group of a dozen most hospitable and lovely Afrikaners from the Eastern Transvaal there for the game. They ploughed us with Lion lager . And more . We went to the 5pm game to see the Boks flog the Aussies by almost 40 pts. Magic .Just magic
superba
Guest
Yes. Agree with you Harry . Once I was sitting behind the posts 10 rows up from the grass at the SFS and still recall the construction of tries at my end of the ground .One could see the gaps and how the atracking side was attempting to step through. Not so good for the other end though . However that night the Tahs scored4 tries before my son and I . And just one at the other end . A night we both enjoyed immensely and have never forgotten. 15 years later !
Cleveland
Guest
If I watch a Test or SR game on TV I have to put up with Mr G Clark giving aimless statistics on every aspect of the game, every player and every game between the two sides since Adam was a boy...I have often been close to throwing something at the TV trying to get him to stop. Yes , I know, I can turn the volume down. When I go to ANZ stadium, I find that I am often so far from the game ( now that I have to pay for the tickets, rather than going on a corporate outing), I end up watching a fair bit of it on the big screen anyway. Give me Shute Sheild at North Sydney Oval any day.
Mike Julz
Guest
Try watch a boxing match live, from the stands. Thats the one sport its far better watching it home. With rugby, I think the experience watching it from the stands is that you can see the whole ground, and you can see the movement of the ball in action. And you can also experience history making, like Japans win over the Boks. You get to wear your colors and mingle with the fans, home and away.
greenbridge1930
Roar Rookie
I agree with other posters in that you can never beat the match day atmosphere at the stadium. However, the atmosphere at rugby games here in Australia (and in other codes as well) are terrible. Even the few Bledisloe Cup games feel like a funeral. The Six Nations and European rugby matches in general are a totally different story. The action on the pitch might not be flash but the atmosphere is priceless.
Timbo (L)
Roar Guru
I have just found out I am having a BBQ at my house before the game. It makes it more accessible to friends and family.
Timbo (L)
Roar Guru
80 Bucks per head in a 1/3 filled stadium for a game I can watch live on free to air with profits going to an organization that doesn't respect my state. I will save my cash and go to 3 SR games instead. The coach and the Players respect and appreciate their fans.
piru
Roar Rookie
6.A.4 The duties of the referee in the playing enclosure. (a). The referee is the sole judge of fact and of Law during a match.
Jacko
Guest
i love the local park stuff and get to enjoy it up close and personal 5-10 times a year. I have often gone to look for Union to watch when in other cities and have managed to watch park rugby in WA, SA VIC NSW and QLD and also watched a comp in Darwin but if its at the elite level then I watch mainly on TV these days. The massive price tag to see a test, along with the drama's of getting there and back make it a bit taxing compared to staying at home and watching but I did spend 6 weeks in NZ in 2011 travelling all over the North Island in a camper van watching many matches and its a memory I will cherish. The cold nights did make it a bit of a challange tho and when it rained ( which was not uncommon) it became positively unpleasent at times. We are blessed with the amount of rugby we can now watch on Fox so Im happy with that
DaniE
Roar Guru
Best to go see it live... but only club/suburban rugby. Where else are the kids free, you can bring your own food in, stand barefoot on the grass in the sun, and get so close to the field you can smell the sweat?
Hannes
Guest
If you are a Force or Rebels supported the decision will be made for you. You will have to watch it on TV, missing the big picture, context and atmosphere.
mattocks
Guest
riesling, the greatest white wine on the planet. no question
Ellispark is the closest rugby stadium to me, and unfortunately one of the worst places to go to watch rugby, the stadium is great, but it is what you have to go through to get to watch the rugby. Parking is a nightmare, it is in the center of Johannesburg, well not exactly but it is in Johannesburg which means it is congested, the area is dirty, your car is not safe, you walk far, it just doesn't make the trip worthwhile in my opinion. Coming out of the stadium is like leaving a drive in through one gate, it takes forever.
Best stop cheating then, eh? ;)
Mat
Guest
You can't beat the atmosphere of a big crowd. But getting to and from the grounds can be a shocker. Moore park is not too bad but Homebush is a shocker. It's pretty easy to put the feet up at home 5m from the fridge.
Stephen
Guest
I have been fortunate to watch rugby Union in many countries and venues around the world both International and at League level. By a long way the poorest atmosphere seems to always be at the Wallabies games, Subject to the sway fans creating atmosphere. Inow watch on tv. I still have a family membership for my local Super rugby franchise and find the atmosphere a bit better, but again the good atmospheres are general when a kiwi side are the opposition. Regards.
Al
Guest
Cheaper to not have friends too right Tyrone? In fact, why leave home at all? Haha