Re: If you must discuss Union, do it here II : Wed Jun 27, 2012 8:00 pm  

Or use Phil Toynbee's famous words as inspiration.

Re: If you must discuss Union, do it here II : Wed Jun 27, 2012 8:08 pm  

cjhatesunion wrote:

I would gladly give a year's salary to see Twickers being turned into a supermarket.

How much is the Dole in the UK now?

Re: If you must discuss Union, do it here II : Thu Jun 28, 2012 12:24 am  

RU internationals have two massive things going for them:

1) Union internationals are seen as EVENTS, not just sporting contests.

2) The rules of union enable a team with a strong pack and no passing game to compete with a team they are light-years behind in terms of running and passing.

If you compare to RL, far too many RL fans are seemingly purists to the nth degree, or club first, second, third and fourth, and happy to boycott games etc on the grounds of player X being selected because not from their side or because despite following the same rules as other sports, is in some ways not 'English'.

Then you must add the fact that the parts of RU that enable competition between sides with outrageously mismatched back divisions - i.e. contested possession, ability to keep a game tight and value of penalties - is simply not possible in RL. I'd argue England RL is probably not dissimilar in ability differential as England RU when compared to say Australia. But whereas England RU can stuff the ball up their jumper and play for teritory and possession and penalties, England RL simply can't do the same, because Australia in RL will get the ball at least 50% of the time.

Re: If you must discuss Union, do it here II : Thu Jun 28, 2012 2:34 am  

BrisbaneRhino wrote:

1) Union internationals are seen as EVENTS, not just sporting contests.

There really is nothing stopping the RFL from creating the same "buzz" around their games.....they just seem afraid of their own shadows sometimes when it comes to marketing.

England RU will have played Wales, Ireland, Scotland, Italy, France, New Zealand, South Africa (4 times), Australia and Fiji in 2012.
11 games....6 of these at Home.......all 80,000 or so in attendance with tickets starting at about 35 notes......conservative 15 million in ticket revenue alone for the RFU

....as I have said before, many RL fans may think that Union is a turd, but by GOD, the RFU/IRB are expert polishers

Re: If you must discuss Union, do it here II : Thu Jun 28, 2012 4:52 am  

BrisbaneRhino wrote:

If you compare to RL, far too many RL fans are seemingly purists to the nth degree, or club first, second, third and fourth, and happy to boycott games etc on the grounds of player X being selected because not from their side or because despite following the same rules as other sports, is in some ways not 'English'.

.

the attitude is summed up by the actions of a band of so called 'England fans' booing and hurling abuse at their own players at the Exiles game at Langtree Park recently, simply because they play for a rival club ???

it seems that for every one do-gooder in RL in England there's another one who is putting the boot in...

Re: If you must discuss Union, do it here II : Thu Jun 28, 2012 6:44 am  

gutterfax wrote:

There really is nothing stopping the RFL from creating the same "buzz" around their games.....they just seem afraid of their own shadows sometimes when it comes to marketing.

I think his second point answers that one, but I do agree about the marketing.

BrisbaneRhino wrote:

2) The rules of union enable a team with a strong pack and no passing game to compete with a team they are light-years behind in terms of running and passing.

If you compare to RL, far too many RL fans are seemingly purists to the nth degree, or club first, second, third and fourth, and happy to boycott games etc on the grounds of player X being selected because not from their side or because despite following the same rules as other sports, is in some ways not 'English'.

Then you must add the fact that the parts of RU that enable competition between sides with outrageously mismatched back divisions - i.e. contested possession, ability to keep a game tight and value of penalties - is simply not possible in RL. I'd argue England RL is probably not dissimilar in ability differential as England RU when compared to say Australia. But whereas England RU can stuff the ball up their jumper and play for teritory and possession and penalties, England RL simply can't do the same, because Australia in RL will get the ball at least 50% of the time.

Re: If you must discuss Union, do it here II : Thu Jun 28, 2012 7:05 pm  

gutterfax wrote:

How much is the Dole in the UK now?

Lol GF I will have you know in my 20 plus years of leaving school I have never claimed benefits.

Anyway I believe that part of London need more supermarkets wouldn't you agree.

Re: If you must discuss Union, do it here II : Thu Jun 28, 2012 9:42 pm  

cjhatesunion wrote:

Lol GF I will have you know in my 20 plus years of leaving school I have never claimed benefits.

.....we believe you

cjhatesunion wrote:

Anyway I believe that part of London need more supermarkets wouldn't you agree.

Q: What do you call building a TESCO's on the site where Twickenham Stadium stands?
A: A start!

Re: If you must discuss Union, do it here II : Fri Jun 29, 2012 4:37 pm  

Telegraph reporting London Welsh have won their appeal and will play in the Premiership next season - Newcastle are relegated

Re: If you must discuss Union, do it here II : Fri Jun 29, 2012 4:45 pm  

Catalancs wrote:

Telegraph reporting London Welsh have won their appeal and will play in the Premiership next season - Newcastle are relegated

I assume Newcastle appeal now then!