Re: Rhinos planning a hybrid game against Leicester Tigers : Tue Apr 24, 2012 9:13 pm  

SmokeyTA wrote:

I would expect that the two players to be dropped from the RU side would be the props rather than the flankers which would limit somewhat the bias of the scrum to the RU side.

The fitness required is massively different and they would struggle in RL as much as an RL prop would struggle in RU. RU props simply wouldnt have the defence, the fitness, the ball skills, the speed or agility to even basically function in RL. Similarly no RL player has the sheer strength, power or size to function as an RU prop.
If you tried to play the RU prop in that game, yes they would dominate the scrum, but they wouldnt be able to handle pace of the game, the 10metres, nor would they be able to defend against a player like Burrow, Mcguire, Webb etc on the field with only 13 players, they would get more and more exhausted lessening any impact they would have at the scrum.

Youre spot on there Smokey, but the issue isn't really one of the Union team winning all the scrums, but one of player safety. If you let a Union pack scrum down against a League pack, regardless of how tired they are, one of the League pack will get hurt.

Re: Rhinos planning a hybrid game against Leicester Tigers : Tue Apr 24, 2012 10:32 pm  

SmokeyTA wrote:

I would expect that the two players to be dropped from the RU side would be the props rather than the flankers which would limit somewhat the bias of the scrum to the RU side.

The fitness required is massively different and they would struggle in RL as much as an RL prop would struggle in RU. RU props simply wouldnt have the defence, the fitness, the ball skills, the speed or agility to even basically function in RL. Similarly no RL player has the sheer strength, power or size to function as an RU prop.
If you tried to play the RU prop in that game, yes they would dominate the scrum, but they wouldnt be able to handle pace of the game, the 10metres, nor would they be able to defend against a player like Burrow, Mcguire, Webb etc on the field with only 13 players, they would get more and more exhausted lessening any impact they would have at the scrum.

This that is why an idea like this is so stupid, they are two completely different sports with different skill sets required, even in something so basic as tackling. I've not really played RL at any standard, but from watching the aim is mainly to slow the play the ball down as much as possible, whereas in Union the aim of the tackle is simply to make it and get off as quick as possible to win a turnover.

And HIM is right about the scrum, it isn't about winning the scrum itself, they can be incredibly dangerous; I played front row for 10 years and considered scrummaging to be one of the key strengths in my game, but seriously injured my shoulder when a scrum in training went down, it really could be carnage if players who have never scrummaged before go into a game against a team of international forwards.

Re: Rhinos planning a hybrid game against Leicester Tigers : Wed Apr 25, 2012 10:42 am  

The point I was trying to make was that I wouldn’t think RU props would play, they would be the players dropped and a 6 man scrum without RU props would have a far less force than an RU scrum, It would be RU second rowers, fronting up against RL props in the scrum. RU would likely still have the advantage, but I wouldn’t think the danger would be all that present.

With regards to tackling, in RL there are one of two aims, to win the collision and to control the ruck. There is also a lot more focus on stopping the offload. In RU it is focussed on body position of the tackled player and making sure the tacklers body position is right, players almost drop to the ground once in contact in RU because it gets a faster turnover. The difference I would see is the man-to-man defence of an RL player is much much more important and that’s where an RU player would struggle.

Re: Rhinos planning a hybrid game against Leicester Tigers : Wed Apr 25, 2012 5:00 pm  

If you include scrums I'd say to remove the intentional sideways pressures that are put on, clearly one of the reasons why all RU props are short & thick of neck to resist the forces exerted. Still far too dangerous/risky all things considered. The only position I ever wanted to play in union was flanker, remember turning out for a team down here at inside centre & I've never spent a half feeling so cold...

As an event it might be interesting to watch but I don't see RL gaining anything from this at all, the RU media would make sure that the RU came out of it smelling of roses no matter what the actual result.
RL team wins rules diluted in RL's favour
RU win, clearly shows how far RU have advanced skill/fitness wise (and they have) and league isn't as good as it thought it was.

Re: Rhinos planning a hybrid game against Leicester Tigers : Wed Apr 25, 2012 5:48 pm  

It is just a money making publicity stunt.
Both codes know their strengths and to try and pretend that either on was playing the other game effectively is pure folly.
League players are not equpped to play union and would struggle in line outs, rucking, mauling and as mentioned, scrums would have to be uncontested.
Union frowards cannot play the type of rugby that is played in SL and without the endless stoppages that occur in the 15 a side game, again the forwards would be knackered.
Not to mentioon the 10 metres that we have in league, which doesn't exist in union.
Supporters of both codes think that their game is better (and more skillfull than the other) and there are of course some players that can make the transition but, what the heck does a game like this achieve.

Re: Rhinos planning a hybrid game against Leicester Tigers : Wed Apr 25, 2012 7:04 pm  

Now Wane is at it

Re: Rhinos planning a hybrid game against Leicester Tigers : Wed Apr 25, 2012 7:35 pm  

Big Ask wrote: Now Wane is at it link dude! edit http://www.loverugbyleague.com/news_885 ... -game.html

Big Ask wrote: Now Wane is at it link dude! edit http://www.loverugbyleague.com/news_885 ... -game.html

Re: Rhinos planning a hybrid game against Leicester Tigers : Thu Apr 26, 2012 9:05 am  

leeds would be much better off doing something to promote our sport. E.g. something along the lines of Melbourne's trip to play the USA in New York.

Re: Rhinos planning a hybrid game against Leicester Tigers : Thu Apr 26, 2012 5:40 pm  

I don't have a problem with it to be fair. As has been said, if it raises the profile of the game then it's should be given a go.