Thursday, December 10, 2009
Slaphappy Karmichael Hunt learns the hard way
Hunt was born in New Zealand but moved to Australia with his family when he was young. He played for the Broncos in Brisbane since the age of 17, and later represented Queensland and Australia.
He was considered one of the most talented players to play the game, but made the shock announcement in July that he was going to make an unprecedented switch to AFL (Aussie Rules Football), joining the new Gold Coast franchise in 2011.
No other player has ever made that switch, playing both NRL and AFL professionally at the highest level. Hes only 23 now, and his contract is for three years.
Being a multi-talented player, Hunt wasnt satisfied with that though, so took on a 6 month contract playing Rugby Union with Biarritz. That makes him the only player to have ever played all three codes professionally.
Unfortunately, unlike other League converts, Hunts situation is that he wont have the time to really settle into the fifteen man game. Even if he does impress, hell be gone by May so its probably not ideal for the local fans.
Personally though, its a nice opportunity for him to learn new cultures and experience a different side of life with his girlfriend. "France is a pretty special part of the world and where we are staying... it is material for a postcard," he said. "We managed to get a nice cosy apartment in the centre of Biarritz and are on the doorstep of the beach."
He made his debut in the Top 14 last month, and against Racing Metro last week there was quite an amusing incident as he showed that hes still a little rusty when it comes to the rules of rugby union.
"With our side clearly dominant for the majority of the game it looked like we were in for a win until I made a comical error," he said on his website.
"After one of the Racing players kicked the ball through the line and went after it to score, I whisked over to impede. Not knowing about the rule of having to force the ball once you're in your own in-goal, I battered the ball dead like I would if I were in a Broncos jersey and to my surprise, gave away a penalty try in the process!"
Woops.
Time: 0:32
Ouch: The League fans weren't too happy about Hunt's move to AFL. Evidence here .
Posted at 10:59 am | 127 comments
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Viewing 127 comments
Ulf December 10, 2009 12:22 pm

eric December 10, 2009 12:40 pm

Anonymous December 10, 2009 12:40 pm

FrankyH December 10, 2009 12:45 pm

And use a name rather than hiding.
This is hilarious btw. Big messup, but nice to see he was so honest about it with what he says.
Anonymous December 10, 2009 12:52 pm

The Wallabies alone have their fair share of converts.
Matt Giteau
Ryan Cross
Berrick Barnes
Lote Tuqiri
Just naming a tiny few
Disco December 10, 2009 12:55 pm

Tell that to Berrick Barnes, Brian Carney, Ryan Cross, Iestyn Harris, Henry Paul (sevens), Lote Tuqiri, Matt Rogers, Brad Thorn, Sonny Bill Williams, Alain Tait and Jason Robinson.
I feel sorry for the guy but as Franky says, credit to him for taking it on the chin.
DKK December 10, 2009 1:47 pm

and annon, Giteau has not plyed legue that was his father.
FACTS PEOPLE - their worth their weight in gold
RD December 10, 2009 1:48 pm

Commenting is a privilege, not a right. Please don't waste RD's time by turning the site into a haven for negativity.
The success of the site is directly affected by your behaviour, so please bear that in mind. Thanks.
cheyanqui December 10, 2009 2:00 pm

and how come there was not a yellow card awarded?
Penalty Try with a clear culprit (unlike an entire front row dropping a scrum on the 5m).
Anonymous December 10, 2009 2:02 pm

JD. December 10, 2009 2:08 pm

Scotsdale December 10, 2009 2:40 pm

You ARE allowed to support and enjoy more than one sport in life yanno. It's not a crime.
Anonymous December 10, 2009 2:54 pm

Anonymous December 10, 2009 3:08 pm

Barnes started playing rugby when he was quite young, he's still nothing special, also injury prone.
Who is Carney? The Irish fullback?
Cross is not good...
Who is Harris? Since I've never heard of him he can't be great.
Henry Paul, 7's.. ok enough said.
Tuqiri, one of the most overrated players of the modern era. Slow for a wing, rarely scored tries... good under the high ball and that's about it.
Rogers, undersized, mediocre, couldn't handle rugby so went back to rugby-lite
Brad Thorn's the definition of a journey man. too short to be a world class lock, and not skilled enough to be great in the loose. doesn't offer anything at the lineout. If Williams wasn't injured and Jack didn't go overseas, he'd never make the starting 15.
SBW was embarrassed by Luke Burgess, that said enough. Mortlock made the league mega star look like a 12 yr old kid.
Tait's a journey man
Robinson was good, but lets not pretend he was this masterful all rounder.
I see you conveniently left out the Australian aboriginal who couldn't even last a season. (I forget his name)
Anonymous December 10, 2009 3:09 pm

Scotsdale December 10, 2009 3:13 pm

Well said though, about some of those players. Except, what's your point and what does it have to do with this funny vid that shows Hunt misunderstanding the laws? :)
Christopher December 10, 2009 3:16 pm

Some of you guys are weird. We're talking about athletes literally walking into another code and playing at the highest level.
How many players from the Union team do you think could play for the Australian Kangaroos in a few months time?
I can't think of any.
Why is it so hard for some people to appreciate both codes? League players who do struggle with Union do so not because they're inferior athletes, but because Union is a complexed game if you have no prior knowledge.
All these supposed 'failed' converts are more than successfull. They switch and play top grade at the highest level.
The hatred between both fans is ridiculous.
Christopher December 10, 2009 3:17 pm

................
Who?
Wendell "55 games in the Super 14 and 37 games for the Wallabies" Sailor?
jay December 10, 2009 3:20 pm

Now how do you go on explaining all the rules at 15 ? Did the B.O forget to do that or is the reflex greater than whatever you might have been told ?
I've been following Gasnier and Sonny Bill and even though their game is getting very consistent at 15 you can still see here and little differences on their behaviour.
The last I could think off was Gasnier near a ruck looking at the offense and not even aware that a forward had picked up the ball running a foot from the ruck. You could see Gasnier surprised and then pissed for a second as he was not ready to tackle or anything... while the forward had broken the line.
Anonymous December 10, 2009 3:33 pm

Juggernauter December 10, 2009 3:57 pm

Scotsdale December 10, 2009 4:12 pm

People like Juggernauter sound brainwashed by their parents, or a high school coach or something.
Sure you can have a preference, but insulting another sport is really lame, and it sounds as though you're threatened by it too.
I've watched all 3 codes live and believe me, League is certainly not for sissies. In fact, try play it yourself, and you'll probably become a far tougher, better tackling, player.
Anyway, Union all the way for me, but I'm not as insecure as to have to insult league. That's just silly.
Kearney for tests December 10, 2009 4:26 pm

Tom December 10, 2009 5:12 pm

Anyone know the ruling on this, and can put me straight?
Josh December 10, 2009 5:57 pm

Jason robinson is one of the greatest offensive backs of all time?
His defence wasnt exactly shabby either!
I wouldnt call turquri slow either
Juggernauter December 10, 2009 6:01 pm

1.- There's an actual contest for the ball, no turn-based play like touch rugby
2.- We don't HIT, we TACKLE, cheap shots are punished and our players keep their heads cool (at least most of the times)
3.- Union is traditional rugby, a game that is won by the team with stronger and harder forwards and consistent rather than flashy backs. OK, the ping-pong may be boring but the ball being always in for dispute makes Union a far more unpredictable game.
Scotsdale December 10, 2009 7:54 pm

League fans hate union, thinking it's boring and doesn't have as much skill, OR physicality. Football (soccer) fans also think rugby union is crap.
So my point is it's arrogant and foolish to think that your sport is better than another, especially considering that some players not only play both, but love both.
I'd hate for you to tell your kids League is sh*t, before you've even played it or really gotten into it.
Btw League has been around for over 100 years, so there's plenty of tradition and history involved.
I myself prefer the diversity and variety of Union though. I just dont like narrow minded people thats all.
If you're so confident that union is better, then there's no need to bring bad vibes and have a go at another sport. Insulting league doesn't make you any more of a rugby union man.
Kearney for tests December 10, 2009 8:17 pm

T December 10, 2009 8:40 pm

Miguel December 10, 2009 8:50 pm

I've seen league videos where guys do this, but they generally punch it out in the air while its being contested by the opposition. here it seemed like he had clear control of the ball and actually had to put in effort to punch it out, rather than simply land on it.
Juggernauter December 10, 2009 8:54 pm

Because, if you think about it carefully, the ultimate goal in Rugby is to get an oval ball to the other end of the pitch and land it down. In order to do so, you have to get past more than a dozen players, who can make everything but a few things to bring you down.
So, that understood, it makes a lot more sense if the ball can switch possession constantly thus making the smartest team a favourite to score. The turn based League system kills this logic.
I don't like League and I don't like the thing it has become.
Scotsdale December 10, 2009 9:33 pm

I can appreciate the hard graft in rugby as much as anyone else, but when you get results like 9-8, 9-6 etc, it's not surprising that fans would rather see constant running and big hits.
I dont watch league often, but have in the past and have also watched some amazing clips from the code, with great skill.
I'm merely debating the point. Believe me, if I liked league more, I probably wouldn't be on this site. But you also have to realise that there are fans out there who love BOTH, and they're not wrong for doing so.
Sorry if I was rude earlier btw.
Juggernauter December 10, 2009 9:58 pm

Anyway, when I get married, my children will play Union.
Rugby Rules
Popeye December 10, 2009 10:18 pm

It's league, people, not soccer. Chill out.
Union, league, sevens, american/canadian football - all of these are extremely fun to play, and when it comes down to it, isn't that what it's all about?
looky December 10, 2009 11:29 pm

Smeagol December 10, 2009 11:33 pm

In response to the rules question from Miguel: in this case, it would be a a drop-out from the goal line (think a Union kick-off, but from under the posts).
Juggernaut, I would hope that you would not be so intolerant as to force your hypothetical children to play a specific sport. I've encouraged my nephew to learn Union, but if he wants to learn League, then I'd back him all the way.
The two sports do share some key differences, yes. That does not give fans of one the right to make stupid generalizations about fans of the other.
Smeagol December 10, 2009 11:41 pm

Im a real man
fred December 10, 2009 11:46 pm

I think this kid needs to get some friends and go outside, it seems.
AA December 10, 2009 11:57 pm

Thorn is the best league convert in my opinion or maybe jason robinson.
Nicko December 11, 2009 12:31 am

Hey RD do you have any highlights of his union games thus far?
I am rugby December 11, 2009 12:41 am

Ox December 11, 2009 2:40 am

Good on him for having the balls to give it a go. I was a bit bewildered about him crossing over to AFL though...
Oh and another League to Union convert not mentioned is Wycliff Palu.
Anonymous December 11, 2009 2:43 am

Anonymous December 11, 2009 2:44 am

Anonymous December 11, 2009 2:44 am

Anonymous December 11, 2009 2:46 am

Postal December 11, 2009 2:49 am

AFL and rugby leauge are two different sports. Try google.
Anonymous December 11, 2009 4:22 am

Ever heard of a guy called Dally Messenger?
For a long time it was the best union guys going to the professional league ranks. Now there is more money in union, so you're seeing that trend reversed.
There have been some great converts over the last few years.
Tuqiri is a bit older now and not as dominant, but for a while he was considered by most to be the best winger in union.
Robinson was awesome for England and it's no surprise their backline has no real threat in it now that he is retired.
Thorn is one of the best locks in the game, has been for many years. He's a machine, if you can't see that I'd question your knowledge of rugby. He is first pick lock always for the All Blacks. He is their Bakies Botha.
Wycliff Palu was a nobody player in the lower rungs of union when he went to St George league club and came back a devastating tackler and runner.
Rocky Elsom was a scrawny kid who showed a little bit of promise but couldn't crack any teams. He went to Canterbury league club and also came back hard as nails and a defensive machine.
Ryan Cross wasn't even a representative player in league, just a decent club centre. Came to union and is an international.
Berrick Barnes is first choice inside centre for the Wallabies, and his distribution is rated as slightly better than Gituea's. Before he got injured there was talk that he would take the no 10 jumper off Gitaeu due to his better creativity. He learnt that from the several season he spent at Brisbane league club.
SBW has struggled due to injury. In the same game he got well tackled by Mortlock and Burgess (who is known for his defense), he also bumped Mortlock off and made some good runs.
Gasnier is one of Stade's better backline players, and he's new to the game. In a couple of years he'll be world class.
Shit, the list of international class union players from league is long.
Henry Fa'afili, Matt Rogers, Henry Paul, Iesten Harris, Brian Carney, Craig Gower, Vainakolo, Ryan Cross, Lote Tuqiri, Berrick Barnes, Rocky Elsom, Wycliff Palu, Brad Thorn, Jason Robinson, Alan Tait, Andy Farrel, Wendell Sailor, Timana Tahu, Andrew Walker, Tasesa Lavea, Ben Macdougal, Nathan Hines.
All good enough to play for their national teams.
There's plenty more who do quite well at club level too.
Robbie December 11, 2009 4:31 am

AFL = Australian Football League? I am confused. How can Hunt crossover to league when he already plays league?
The AFL is the Australian Rules competition, the Rugby League is the ARL. It's going to be interesting seeing how Karmichael Hunt handles AFL at the top level. I just hope he gets a better briefing on the laws than he obviously got from his Union minders, although I believe he played a little Aussie Rules as a youngster.
I am rugby December 11, 2009 4:35 am

Anonymous December 11, 2009 4:39 am

ted December 11, 2009 5:19 am

Thank god you weren't there to tell Jim Thorpe what to do with his career.
orishas December 11, 2009 5:36 am

Is there really an advantage of doing one over the other?
Anonymous December 11, 2009 6:23 am

JD. December 11, 2009 6:37 am

Anonymous December 11, 2009 6:41 am

orishas December 11, 2009 6:59 am

The same thing that stops a team from taking the ball into their own try zone and grounding it any time it comes into their 22...
Once it has CROSSED into the in-goal area and a player is giving chase, meaning the only option for a defender would be to ground it, then why is hitting it out any more negative than grounding? Both are ways to kill the ball to prevent a try; so, why don't both result in a 5m scrum being awarded to the attacking team?
I'm not looking to make excuses for Hunt's silly mistake; I'm simply asking if there's any good reason/example of why it's in the law book - and why it's worth a penalty try.
Jon December 11, 2009 7:48 am

Fui Fui Moi Moi would be an awesome flanker or no 8.
orishas December 11, 2009 8:07 am

Anyways, what I meant was that knocking it away like that should just be an attacking player 5m scrum at the worst...but you could make the case for it being the same as grounding it so long as the attacking side kicked it forward and the defender could just as easily ground it - so a restart.
10.2 (c) Throwing into touch. A player must not intentionally knock, place, push or throw the ball with his arm or hand into touch, touch-in-goal, or over the dead ball line.
Penalty
A penalty try must be awarded if the offence prevents a try that would probably otherwise have been scored.
---I disagree with the ref's ruling, then, as what would have otherwise happened is that Hunt would've grounded the ball and it would've been a 22 restart, yeah? So, why the penalty try?
miguel December 11, 2009 8:39 am

in this instance, slapping a ball out like that, without another defender near by, could almost always count as a penalty try by a ref's interpretation. if a player could securely catch or ground the ball, they should, but if they knock it out its because they were under some pressure that another player couldnt deal with. the penalty takes them out of play and then the attacker faces no obstacle to the try except for the penalty by the offending player, so penalty try.
one standard could be any full-arm penalty committed within the in-goal area counts as a penalty try, provided its affecting the play. if you were to punch an attacker in the face off the ball in the in-goal thats a penalty but not affecting play so no penalty try. but something like a high/dangerous tackle or taking the man out early could be rewarded with such.
if you slap a ball out in the in-goal with an attacker pursuing its a penalty try. if you kick the ball out with an attacker pursuing, its a 5m attacking scrum. why the difference? because one action (tapping, slapping, punching throwing) is illegal, and the other (kicking) is a perfectly normal legal form of play.
Anonymous December 11, 2009 11:52 am

just because league players get shoved into the wallaby side doesn't mean they'd make the bok team. all those players would be a liability, especially at flyhalf and center.
i seriously can't stop laughing, no offence.
Anonymous December 11, 2009 11:57 am

players also can't throw the ball out, kicking is required. the ease of throwing or tapping a ball over the side/dead ball line encourages negative play. understand?
Christopher December 11, 2009 12:09 pm

i seriously can't stop laughing, no offence.
......
If you genuinely believe the likes of Hayne and Inglis wouldn't make the Springbok side then it's glaringly obvious you've never really watched League.
Inglis if he moved to Union would be one of Unions best in less than a year.
I am rugby December 11, 2009 12:43 pm

There is a reason why rugby is a GLOBAL game and league isn't.
Anonymous December 11, 2009 12:45 pm

Spies, Smith, Brussow, Burger, Habana, Bizmark, Botha, Fourie, Jean de Villiers, FDP, both Steyns would easily make the Kangaroo team, though.
NiWiTa December 11, 2009 12:48 pm

To slander sports that involve a high skill-level in different areas in particularly sad. I played my league and union in England for 9 years solid and enjoyed every moment. People contesting which is real rugby should remeber that League was formed by those who needed payment for lost working time. Those people rich and in no need of work did not deem it an issue to break a leg as their families would not starve as a result. In recent times Union has allowed for professional players and payment for putting their bodies on the line week in and week out. This is the positive impact of League influencing Union. A little respect for both sets of players and codes is necessary. The two sports would not have grown so well without each other.
As for Karmichael Hunt what a F***wit!
Anonymous December 11, 2009 12:48 pm

i'm sure inglis is a star in his world, but if he plays rugby I guarantee he won't look as impressive. the defenses are way tighter and you can't get isolated. no balls between legs for greg :(
Anonymous December 11, 2009 1:45 pm

Also having played both codes myself i can say this League hurts. It also makes you a hel of a lot better at tackling.
Rich
McBull December 11, 2009 1:46 pm

Phil December 11, 2009 2:42 pm

Why not leave those who enjoy either sport (or both) without degrading to pure angst.
There are no rules saying you can't watch another sport besides rugby. I'd say get your heads out of your asses and wake up a little. There's no need for such childish mentality.
Jeroz December 11, 2009 2:53 pm

Anonymous December 11, 2009 5:20 pm

Anyone who doesn't think he's good enough for the Springbok backline is seriously deluded.
Backs in League as a general rule are much better than their Union counterparts.
Also big guys don't make you good players. Out of all the Saffas listed only Botha would really fit well in League. Whether he'd make the Wallabies outfit is very debatable though.
Onto the next moron,
"There is a reason why rugby is a GLOBAL game and league isn't."
What reason would that be? Britney Spears is a household name and Soccer is the number 1 sport of the world... What does that say?
Greg Inglis would walk into any international side in the world. There is absolutely no question. Just as Jonah Lomu could have walked into any League team he wanted. He's THAT good.
orishas December 11, 2009 6:55 pm

But I guess there have been a multitude of tries scored by an attacker being faster and gets underneath the defender who is about to ground it, so the attacker DOES score a try...in which case, slapping it out would've been the quick and easy thing to do, so it would've been unfair.....
Anonymous December 11, 2009 8:21 pm

Inglis and Hayne would clearly be awesome union players, like Tuqiri and Robinson were.
It's interesting that only people who really have absolutley no idea about league are the ones who critisize it.
Again, ignorance is not something to be proud of.
If you hate league, how do you reconcile yourselves with the fact that all the defensive systems and tactics currently employed by rugby union teams at the highest level are taken directly from rugby league?
Or that the vast majority of tactics in relation to backline play are again taken directly from league?
Jesus some people are ridiculously prud of being stupid.
Anonymous December 11, 2009 8:35 pm

Rugby may take a few ideas from league, but then they also take a few ideas from judo, gridiron etc.
Anonymous December 11, 2009 8:37 pm

white collar worker December 11, 2009 8:46 pm

bring back butch james and you'll show you how to shoulder barge someone all the way to the hospital.
I am rugby December 11, 2009 8:57 pm

it's just a game December 11, 2009 9:18 pm

UK_andy December 11, 2009 9:33 pm

oikee December 11, 2009 9:49 pm

Anonymous December 12, 2009 2:41 am

Anonymous December 12, 2009 3:24 am

Many, many of the tactics and systems used in union are taken directly from league. Not adapted or borrowed, taken directly and applied by league coaches.
Of course I wouldn't actually expect South Africans to understand, since you know nothing about the game.
Oh and no Andrew Johns doesn't play anymore, he coaches UNION TEAMS.
In fact he spends alot of time coaching South African rugby teams, like the Sharks mostly on their kicking game.
Seriously, you guys are dumb as hell.
Viva La Africa December 12, 2009 3:29 am

You're the one who watches league.
Anonymous December 12, 2009 3:31 am

In fact most league players that have made the switch have been past their prime and are really making the switch for the greater financial reward.
Only a couple guys have come over early or in the middle of their careers, like Elsom, Palu, Tuqiri and Robinson (although even he was getting old when he made the switch).
Oh, sorry, I forgot, UNION GOOD LEAGUE BAD.
Anonymous December 12, 2009 3:32 am

I guess because those aren't union I shouldn't watch them right?
Idiot.
Viva La Africa December 12, 2009 4:40 am

I've seen enough league to know it's sickeningly repetitive.
If it was up to me, rugby and soccer would be the only team winter sports on the planet. I'd ban league, Aussie rules, gridiron, Gaelic football etc.
Anonymous December 12, 2009 4:51 am

And blue-collar people are inherintly stupid huh?
What are you just a massive snob?
Or just close-minded, I'm not sure?
Jack December 12, 2009 5:14 am

Yeah because union is full of surprises, and considering a lot of union's defensive/attacking plays are taken from league, they must know what they're doing.
And seriously how many games have you watched? 2? League is much more faster and exciting.
How ever both games do have their repititive aspects.
troy December 12, 2009 7:10 am

If it was up to me, rugby and soccer would be the only team winter sports on the planet. I'd ban league, Aussie rules, gridiron, Gaelic football etc.
The ignorance and immaturity that some people are in a hurry to display on here is amazing. Why would you want to tell the world that anything your tiny mind doesn't understand should be banned? What an idiot!
Jack December 12, 2009 8:22 am

Anonymous December 12, 2009 9:21 am

They're basically the same game.
They both came from the same game, in fact league is just union after 100 years of professionalism.
Again, not that some people would understand that, because as we've established, some people are proud of their ignorance.
4LC4TR4Z December 12, 2009 9:30 am

The man had just 12 union games experience when he played for babaa's.
He is not yet a great player, just a good center in France : but if his head wants to, he have skills and fitness to become the best center. And he is just 22 yo !
Jimmy December 12, 2009 9:32 am

But I thought all blue-collar workers are dimwits, and so anything they watch is also dim-witted right?
Yeah you make heaps of sense pal, you're not dumb at all.
Your whole theory about poor people being dumb, what a winner. You keep believing that.
Spa
Christopher December 12, 2009 11:13 am

fuck off"
Have you considered many people enjoy both games?
I enjoy Union, Sevens, League, NFL and soccer.
Anonymous December 12, 2009 12:21 pm

Anonymous December 12, 2009 8:06 pm

Exactly, and the difference is League fans would accept this. Where as Union fans have an inferiority complex and cannot accept the same scenario in reverse.
Jon December 13, 2009 12:36 am

Let's go back actually and take away all their achievements. So Robinson and Tuqiri never scored in the 2003 WC final. Pretty boring Final without the only two tries, both scored by retarded rugby league players.
Anonymous December 13, 2009 12:50 am

Anonymous December 13, 2009 12:57 am

"Rogers, undersized, mediocre, couldn't handle rugby so went back to rugby-lite"
actually Matt Rogers was a really good union player, before he got injured he was carrying the Warratahs team when he was their fullback, he had great all round skills, and Ryan Cross is also good, i remember him scoring a bunch of tries agains nz a couple years ago, as well as all the tries he scored with the Force.
but i agree with the rest of what you said, SBW sucks at union and so did wendall sailor, Tuqiri was ok but was already familiar with union,
Anonymous December 13, 2009 1:00 am

Clearly Elsom, Palu and Robinson also turned out to be pretty good players, or are we just ignoring them?
troy December 13, 2009 1:16 am

etc etc whatever
I'm enjoying this because every boneheaded post reinforces his image of ignorance and arrogance that is even funnier because he's so proud of it. Keep 'em coming little Africa boy.
And "I am rugby" - no you're not.
troy December 13, 2009 3:12 am

Get off this site, go talk about your rapist and wife beating super stars else where.
Rugby #1
Ha ha, what a classic bit of idiocy, I'm not surprised you've gone anonymous. I shouldn't laugh at such helpless stupidity but you do deserve it. And stop pretending you represent the great game of rugby, you're an embarrassment to it.
Jack December 13, 2009 6:08 am

Care to explain your reasoning to that? Probably not though as it's just another idiotic statement posted by anonymous.
Style December 13, 2009 6:38 am

I am rugby December 13, 2009 7:32 am

Their forwards don't do anything besides "BASH IT UP"... you don't have any of the different skill sets like in rugby - flankers, props, hookers, locks... all have varied skills that add to the game.
Lets not forget the absence of set plays - No line outs and uncontested woman scrums. There appears to be no competition for possession of the ball at all due to the turn based play.
Rugby League will always be seen as a game designed for the fan with a short attention span.
Herbal December 13, 2009 9:01 am

Why? Because it has no scrums and line outs? Because the forwards aren't as specialised as union?
Is Union designed for the fan with a long attention span? Moron.
Cody December 13, 2009 10:20 am

Jon December 13, 2009 10:25 am

This only occurred in the very few countries at the turn of the century where rugby (union) was popular enough to warrant professional players.
i.e. Australia and England and New Zealand later.
League's a good game, so is union.
I prefer union, but enjoy the big games in league.
Anyone who has a problem with that is being childish.
JD. December 13, 2009 1:35 pm

I couldn't agree more with I am rugby's last post. You can enjoy league all you want, but there's no denying that it's a very simple sport.
Personally, I think it's a nifty game to play in your backyard with friends. As a pro sport... well...
Jon December 13, 2009 4:03 pm

We're aren't insane apparently, and can watch two sports without our heads exploding.
Anarchangel December 14, 2009 8:02 am

Anonymous December 14, 2009 10:10 pm

Tommo December 15, 2009 5:23 am

Anonymous December 15, 2009 8:21 am

League fans: The vocal minority!
Northern England, NSW and Queensland and South Auckland, these are the places where you can find "top level" league. Very few players, none of them top athletes (top athletes would go play rugby and soccer), yet the poor, drunk league fans will try to convince you their heroes can hang with the big boys (rugby UNION players)!!!
Did you see the 4-nations hahaha what a joke! SMAAAALLLLLL crowds because barely anyone cares for this "sport". Barbarians vs All Blacks drew more than any league game and not one english player was even in the Barbarian side!! And it was a meaningless ENTERTAINMENT GAME!!!
League is going to crumble very soon!
Christopher December 15, 2009 11:57 am

.................
R-Dump OWNS the website and quite frankly you should be grateful.
I know personally as a fan of both games that Grant will not but any old League. He'll only put up footage if it has entertainment value or appeal to both Union and League fans.
In no way does he go out of his way to support or push League. Infact he doesn't even watch League himself!
Some of you halfwits need to be grateful he exists, otherwise you wouldn't have this great service.Before RD rugby highlights were practically non existant on the internet.
Jon December 16, 2009 1:06 am

Tuqiri and Robinson were horrible players. Those two tries they scored in the 2003 World Cup Final were pure flukes, no skill at all involved.
What would have been better is if the final had just been a kicking competition between Flatley and Wilkinson.
That's real rugby!
Anonymous December 16, 2009 1:56 pm

Anonymous December 16, 2009 5:18 pm

.........
No he isn't. He isn't bigger, isn't stronger, isn't faster. Never was and never will be.
Educate yourself before commenting.















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