Why rugby union over other codes?

[rugbyunionfan]

I'm curious to hear from rugby fans — what makes union your sport of choice compared to NRL or AFL? Is it the physicality, the tactics, the traditions, or something else?


And do you think the rules are part of what makes rugby unique, or do they put new fans off?

 

[BrokenWing]

Not being Australian.

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

I'm curious to hear from rugby fans — what makes union your sport of choice compared to NRL or AFL? Is it the physicality, the tactics, the traditions, or something else?


And do you think the rules are part of what makes rugby unique, or do they put new fans off?

Nothing other than rugby union is an international game. The rest are only really played in one country or in the case of rugby league, played by players too stupid to learn what a ruck is.

 

[McTallshort]

Never watched AFL. Watched league a bit but played Union so it's always been my go to and it's got a much better international game

 

[Which Tyler]

Not living in Aus pretty much rules out AFL - I watched a couple of games decades ago, and never really understood what was gong on (as you'd expect after only a couple of games)
Rugby League... it's all just too samey for me - watched plenty, but without competition for the ball and no real variety it just wasn't scratching the itch.

Bias is that Union is what we played at school, what was on telly during the 6N, and what had local clubs for to feel an affinity with.

 

[Rinkadink]

I'm curious to hear from rugby fans — what makes union your sport of choice compared to NRL or AFL? Is it the physicality, the tactics, the traditions, or something else?


And do you think the rules are part of what makes rugby unique, or do they put new fans off?

I really like League, but it does lack the tactical depth of Union. Hull KR are my adopted team.

AFL I couldn't give a damn about, NFL/College Football is okay as a one off such as a Superbowl. Soccer I just can't get into and don't enjoy much, apart from the individual skills which I appreciate.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Pretty much the same as above (though I've been a Catalans fan ever since they were added)

I really enjoyed playing League, even more so than playing Union, but watching it it always felt quite shallow - can appreciate the athleticism/skills, but I found regularly watching it becomes really dull after a while (appreciate the irony that Union is notoriously dull to League fans)

Growing to like the NFL more now (mainly because I like the Madden games) - though not enough to watch full games (which is why I like redzone - all the action, none of the adverts/clock management)

 

[Saintjay]

Played rugby since a child, from Northampton. So was always going to be Union and Black, Green, Gold.

Loved league when it was bigger with Ellery Hanley and Martin Offiah.

League is a great training game for fitness and tackle techniques.

 

[BRSTLDRGN]

Liking rugby was non-negotiable for me; I was exposed to it very early, attending Bristol games while in the pram. Joined Hornets RFC in Weston-Super-Mare U7s as soon as I turned 6, and been involved ever since, though I stopped playing in 2003, having had a knee injury and then lost all enjoyment for playing. I do regret not pursuing the coaching side of things then but I don't have interest to get them now.

Since I went to University, I have become almost as big an American Football fan, watching the NFL and College Football as much this time of year as I do rugby. AFL intrigues me, and I watch it occasionally. League doesn't really do it for me, I had a passing interest a few years ago but not seen a game in full in years and have no plans to.

 

[mdaclarke]

Union: being Welsh didn't really have a choice, love the variety, different teams play in different ways. Also like the community and the values.

The rest of the football games in order from favourite to least favourite.

Football: really enjoy the Lower League stuff (no VAR)
NFL/NCAA (FBS): I prefer the college football to NFL, games can be a bit stop start though.
League: Once you've watched 10 mins of it and you'll have seen all you will ever see, the most samey sport in the world.
AFL: for a pitch the size of a cricket pitch the ball was going out of play every 10 seconds and it was much more stop start than I thought it would be. Also just seemed a confused melee for the ball ally the time with players running around like headless chickens.

 

[WCRugger]

Played both growing up and thanks to my father followed both games right up until the Super League war here in Aus. From that point, it was Rugby. I've only in the last few years started to watcg League again but if I have to choose I go Rugby everytime. Having played both in the same position (Prop) there's just more to Rugby. Particularly as a forward.

As for AFL. It was never all that big where I grew up. Even after 40 years and a number of Premierships for the Swans it still isn't all that big among most of the local population outside of pockets. So I never watched much. Moved to Western Australia where it is huge and got to understand it better. That said, I don't rate it in terms of skill. The players are great athletes. Super fit. But that's about it. We used to have a show called Australia's Greatest Athlete which tested a bunch of different skills and athleticism and it was always the Rugby/League contestents battling it out while AFL fought for minor placings.

 

[Scotty]

Played union so got watching it too, but I just much prefer the rucks, Mauls, lineouts and scrums in union. Rugby union is getting alot faster but it still has that set piece thats so important.

Also on a side note I like how inclusive rugby is regardless of body shape, height ect.

League has some great tries but I sometimes just get bored of it tbh.

 

[SéniorHuevo]

Honestly living in Spain. I am a League fan in Northern Hemisphere but really enjoy the rugby scene over here and have a lot of sympathy for Spain who are a victim of geography in that they are artificially blocked from progress but we have Division de Honor, a few good days out such as the 20,000 for the cup final last season and it is a really great place to cover and also learn about the game. In the UK or France it's RL all the way.

 

[Vaquer]

I'm curious to hear from rugby fans — what makes union your sport of choice compared to NRL or AFL? Is it the physicality, the tactics, the traditions, or something else?


And do you think the rules are part of what makes rugby unique, or do they put new fans off?

Australian rules football I grew up watching a lot. In recent years I realised there are things about it I don't like (including off-the-ball violence) and watching a full-game even when my team is playing is something I struggle to do without alcohol. When you need alcohol to like something time to find something else.

 

[Brown Bottle]

... Or find alcohol.

 

[Vaquer]

... Or find alcohol.

But I'm not a boomer who hates his wife & life & goes to anti-immigration rallies