Lack of atmosphere/rivalry in Rugby a problem?

[Amiga500]

rooted in good etiquette, which is only great from a non sporting rivalry point of view.

What in the name of sweet f__k is that supposed to mean?

 

[dasNdanger]

Perhaps the rugby atmosphere is a bit more 'laid back', but I'd take that 1000x over volatile, obnoxious soccer/football fans who get into fights, burn the stands, and throw garbage on the pitch and missiles at the players and refs. I know it doesn't happen at every game, but it happens enough that it's become a huge blemish on the sport. Maybe rugby fans aren't stomping and singing the entire game ('cept mebbe in Wales ), but I'd take the quieter atmosphere anyday over what can happen at a soccer match. Maybe it's different being there, but at least on tv it really doesn't matter too much how excited the fans are, just as long as the tv commentators are a bit spicy.


das

 

[McTallshort]

Hmmm... lets see. A few steps just off the top of my head.

- Segregate the crowds... with massive fences akin to a prison separating the the supporters. Can't be having any one of us thinking the other crowd are anything but animals eh?
- Have police escort the away support to the ground from their buses. Then after the game, escort them from the ground to their buses. They aren't fit to share the same air as us never mind socialise in our town. Get them out. Immediately. The police should have big starving dogs to assist them.
- Don't let the away support anywhere near pubs or bars in the vicinity of the ground. That lot in my bar? Over my dead body... well... over their glassed and bleeding-to-death body preferably.
- In fact, ban alcohol sales in the vicinity of the ground for half the day prior to kick-off and for good measure, a few hours after kickoff. Wouldn't want anyone glassing one of their own supporters by accident when limbering up for the "match" would we?
- Completely ban alcohol sales in the ground. What a silly idea that is... some marshals might get glassed when we're on our glassing frenzy.
- Ban women and children from games. We don't want them getting in the road of our riots do we?
- Ban terracing from stadia... its hard to pick up a seat and throw it at some scumbag (that obviously deserved it) from Dublin/Limerick/Galway/Glasgow/Cardiff/Leicester/Northampton/Toulouse when your just standing on concrete steps.
- Instead of flags, hand out knifes before the games. Self protection innit. You wouldn't want to be defenceless if one of them sneaky scumbags sitting in your section of the crowd, breaking away from the police cordon escorting them back to their bus and then hunting you down in a cafe in the vicinity of the ground and knifing all the women and children and then beating your head to a bloody pulp with a seat they stole from the ground when your having your caffeine free latte? That'd be a disaster.

Make all them changes, and the atmosphere would be pure great so it would.

You missed throwing coins at players.

 

[Amiga500]

You missed throwing coins at players.

Dunno about you lads over in Leicester, but here in Belfast we we're all pure upper class we are - stiff upper lip n all that - far too concerned with our social standing to... actually cheer. Only soccer peasants concern themselves with such insignificant things as coins... and we wouldn't want to handle anything touched by such creatures... might contract rabies or something.

Throwing (crisp) 20 pound notes at players might not have the same effect... :unsure:

 

[Big Ewis]

Perhaps the rugby atmosphere is a bit more 'laid back', but I'd take that 1000x over volatile, obnoxious soccer/football fans who get into fights, burn the stands, and throw garbage on the pitch and missiles at the players and refs. I know it doesn't happen at every game, but it happens enough that it's become a huge blemish on the sport. Maybe rugby fans aren't stomping and singing the entire game ('cept mebbe in Wales ), but I'd take the quieter atmosphere anyday over what can happen at a soccer match. Maybe it's different being there, but at least on tv it really doesn't matter too much how excited the fans are, just as long as the tv commentators are a bit spicy.


das

the hell you talkin about, that's like, the only good thing about football !

 

[dasNdanger]

the hell you talkin about, that's like, the only good thing about football !

Yes, when watching the evening news. But not when you're smack dab in the middle of a nest of ole-chanting morons*.


*I realize not all soccer/football fans are obnoxious, rude, and moronic. I only refer to those who are.




das

 

[Patchey]

i'd agree that the English game suffers from issues round the stadiums. I remember going to watch London Irish at the Majeski when I was a kid and despite a lot of beer, a lot of singing and good rugby the atmosphere always seemed a bit dull because the stadium was essentially a quarter full. Loftus Road used to be similar.

Although I've never been there, places like Welford Road, Kingsholm, The Rec and Franklins Gardens seem to have a great atmosphere. I think that shows how important stadium design/size is.

 

[SimonG]

"Maggie, Maggie, Maggie...out out out"...oh wait, sorry chaps, scrolling down the comments got me thinking it was the 1980s there for a second.

Back to the present day and the lack of atmosphere/rivalry in Rugby. When was the last time (besides a little bit of needle from Gatland) that anything remotely interesting happened as regards Rugby?. Even cricket (the most genteel game on the planet) has Pietersen to ruffle a few feathers and spark an interest. I cannot recall the last time Rugby made the news (other than listing the results). Where are the personalities? Wheres the controversy? Rivalry? Any feuds?

Coaches, players..are they all told to say nothing?. Gavin Henson may not have been many peoples cup of tea, but at least he got people talking. I don't see any of this in the game. If this is the way many people like it, fine, but the lack of edge in the sport prevents the casual fan from becoming interested.

 

[dasNdanger]

@ SimonG - you need to start watching southern hemi rugby.



das

 

[ratsapprentice]

From what you're saying I'd suggest you find a different sport, because you seem to be preoccupied by the media side-show.

Most people enjoy the sport itself, if you don't find that rewarding enough then I don't think you really enjoy the sport.

 

[Rich Taff]

I think this troll is so dim witted that he/she is confusing 'hatred' with 'atmosphere', and cannot understand that people can be passionate about sports without throwing coins at them, or being 'and old fashioned club' where the grandparents swear at the officials as well as the players.

Oh also, is there a point that someone gets enough negative rep, they can no longer post? If so, I recommend a major neg-rep of this eejit.

 

[Draggs]

From what you're saying I'd suggest you find a different sport, because you seem to be preoccupied by the media side-show.

Most people enjoy the sport itself, if you don't find that rewarding enough then I don't think you really enjoy the sport.

No, I think people just want to get caught up in it and watch the game in an environment where everybody is loving it. If I go to a game and everybody is dour and doesn't do anything, it feels lifeless and boring. Hearing the crowd get into it, tensions building up as phases go on and on just adds to it.

 

[Amiga500]

I cannot recall the last time Rugby made the news (other than listing the results). Where are the personalities? Wheres the controversy? Rivalry? Any feuds?

SimonG, allow me to introduce you to Mark McCafferty.

Start a thread asking everyone's opinions on Mr McCafferty if you want....




[BTW, rats is right. If your mostly interested in SunSport exclusives, go look for another sport.]

 

[Rich Taff]

Throwing (crisp) 20 pound notes at players might not have the same effect... :unsure:

Tried that once. Most disturbing lapdance ever!

 

[ratsapprentice]

No, I think people just want to get caught up in it and watch the game in an environment where everybody is loving it. If I go to a game and everybody is dour and doesn't do anything, it feels lifeless and boring. Hearing the crowd get into it, tensions building up as phases go on and on just adds to it.

I don't disagree....

Have you read this blokes' last post though? Saying that he was excited by the Gatland/BOD feud.

 

[j'nuh]

Rugby has plenty of rivalry.

As for passion, rugby isn't as end-to-end as football is. Build up to tries and such are usually slower and less frequent. It's not the kind of sport that lends itself to shouting and such.

Also, comparing top football teams with their tens of thousands of fans that show up to matches, to the typical rugby team, is not a very good comparison to make. Gloucester get 14k fans on average per home game. Which makes teams like Bradford City a better comparison, rather than Liverpool/Arsenal and such.

 

[Rich Taff]

I don't disagree....

Have you read this blokes' last post though? Saying that he was excited by the Gatland/BOD feud.

He also thinks Mourinho is a genius, and not just a really annoying petulant tool who runs up and down the sideline swearing at officials.

 

[dasNdanger]

Here's a thought...

Before every match hand out vuvuzelas. That should spice things up a bit.



das

 

[William18]

Honestly all you have to do to create a good atmosphere is stop blaring pop songs whenever there is a break in play.

 

[SimonG]

No Mourinho is box office, don't agree with a word he says mind.

And yes the Gatland "feud" is good for the game, and it is part of the game, as it feeds into what happens ON the field (and the stands as we saw at the Aviva).

I don't get why some folk are irked at my comments as I have reiterated it's my own personal belief on what the sport is lacking. I appreciate that there are many (probably the vast majority) who like the sport as it is and the lack of atmosphere/rivalry. The Gatland feud was pretty minor but for many they could have done without it.