The League Media
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Interesting tj and others here comment on the league tackle with its writhing/turtling/holding down. There's a certain simplicity/sophistication in the techniques used to slow down opposition ball at the tackle in league, especially lying all over the tackled player and the slow extraction of the many tacklers, one by one while the last one uses the tacklee's body to leverage himself back into the marker position. Have a look at the Pommy Super League over on FoxSports: they ALL bounce off/away from the tackled player far more quickly than Australian tacklers do. Just goes to show it can be done.
My lovely spare-rib comes from a staunch league family, her mother's a rusted-on Rabbitohs supporter. So I get to watch quite a bit of it when duty beckons. What stands out for me is the utter monotonousness of league: one out hitups followed by a pass or two and then a kick. Even tackles can be accurately predicted: one or two go high while another grabs the ball-carriers' waist/thigh and they turn him and wrestle the poor bastard to the ground just as the ref calls "held" and then "move". Utterly, utterly monotonous. When was the last time a league team successfully defended their goal-line for a coupla phases of six? It seems as if the powers-that-be insist on tries at the expense of good defence.
My lovely spare-rib comes from a staunch league family, her mother's a rusted-on Rabbitohs supporter. So I get to watch quite a bit of it when duty beckons. What stands out for me is the utter monotonousness of league: one out hitups followed by a pass or two and then a kick. Even tackles can be accurately predicted: one or two go high while another grabs the ball-carriers' waist/thigh and they turn him and wrestle the poor bastard to the ground just as the ref calls "held" and then "move". Utterly, utterly monotonous. When was the last time a league team successfully defended their goal-line for a coupla phases of six? It seems as if the powers-that-be insist on tries at the expense of good defence.
Inside Shoulder
Nathan Sharpe (72)
It has become so predictable that when I watched my first game live for several years at least year's grand final I was astounded that the whole of both teams seemed to be within 12 - 20 metres of each other as they brought the ball out from their own line.
Even I could see that no one more than 3 men either side of the ruck was going to receive the ball in any one play or wold need to make a tackle.
I dont understand how this is attractive to watch - i think you have to be embedded in the mythology of the alleged tribalism to be able to overlook this monotony and predictably to a point at which the result of any given game is the only thing which is unknown. And you sweat on that.
Even I could see that no one more than 3 men either side of the ruck was going to receive the ball in any one play or wold need to make a tackle.
I dont understand how this is attractive to watch - i think you have to be embedded in the mythology of the alleged tribalism to be able to overlook this monotony and predictably to a point at which the result of any given game is the only thing which is unknown. And you sweat on that.
to be fair if you go to sideways without any forward momentum your a big risk of going into touch and turning over possession.
As a union fan you would know how important it is to hold on to possession in favour of maybe getting some sneaky metres.
That said I tend to agree, that if a defensive line only pushes up partially inviting you into the space on the outside the play maker should have get the ball so its moving to the last defender moving up with someone running an in line into the game made by only 5 or 6 blokes moving up in defence and not the whole line... rarely do sides get them selves organised to take advantage of such things though.
All sports have the same sort of plays run through them from the NFL to rugby to basketball to soccer. Even AFL has a pattern that they try to stick to if you watch it enough.
Understanding the pattern however doesn't make the game boring its how intense the contest mixed with the players ability to both take and pull off risks in attack and ability to shut down stuff in defence.
As a union fan you would know how important it is to hold on to possession in favour of maybe getting some sneaky metres.
That said I tend to agree, that if a defensive line only pushes up partially inviting you into the space on the outside the play maker should have get the ball so its moving to the last defender moving up with someone running an in line into the game made by only 5 or 6 blokes moving up in defence and not the whole line... rarely do sides get them selves organised to take advantage of such things though.
All sports have the same sort of plays run through them from the NFL to rugby to basketball to soccer. Even AFL has a pattern that they try to stick to if you watch it enough.
Understanding the pattern however doesn't make the game boring its how intense the contest mixed with the players ability to both take and pull off risks in attack and ability to shut down stuff in defence.
mxyzptlk
Colin Windon (37)
Every ITM Cup season, I wonder how many of those teams could hang in Super Rugby, or how they'd do against some European teams. Canterbury looks like they could easily land in mid-table in the Super Rugby, maybe top 6 in the Premiership and top 4 of the Pro 12.
mxyzptlk
Colin Windon (37)
I've watched some Super League, and it does seem snappier than a lot of NRL I've seen. The problem, though, is that there's too much disparity between many of the teams. It can lead to some blow-out games that aren't dull because they're repetitive hit-ups, but are repetitive scores by one team.
I think I'm just unlucky, though. I don't tune in to Super League very often, and just seem to catch those blow-out matches when I give it a chance.
wamberal
Phil Kearns (64)
The battle for the Ranfurly Shield adds a lot of interest, as well.
It's just a great competition.
WorkingClassRugger
Michael Lynagh (62)
You don't actually watch the ITM Cup do you or Super Rugby for that matter? The ITM Cup is far from slow and some of the skills on display are phenomenal. Well above what's displayed in the NRL most weeks. Fact.
I watched a fair bit of super rugby this year.
And whilst I don't watch a huge amount of itm cup, I have watched enough to appreciate its level.
What you describe as fact is of course your opinion. An opinion that most "more professional" clubs (of both codes) disagree with, otherwise the players would have contracts with those "more professional" clubs.
And whilst I don't watch a huge amount of itm cup, I have watched enough to appreciate its level.
What you describe as fact is of course your opinion. An opinion that most "more professional" clubs (of both codes) disagree with, otherwise the players would have contracts with those "more professional" clubs.
WorkingClassRugger
Michael Lynagh (62)
Lots of "more professional" clubs agree. Every year a number of the guys playing in the ITM Cup get picked up by clubs overseas. Japan, England, France, the Celtic nations. All have two tiers of leagues where guys can go and play in. You can still make good money in Italy and now both Russia and Romania are becoming options. He'll if you are interested you can have yourself a nice working holiday in Spain these days. All these guys are identified via the ITM Cup.
Unlike League, Rugby doesn't begin and end with the NRL.
WorkingClassRugger
Michael Lynagh (62)
I'd be genuinely shocked if we came to some level of agreement. Genuinely shocked. Nor do I expect to convert anyone. My issue is the perpetuation of fallacies in regard to Rugby being a slower and/or less skilful game. It's not. I grew watching and playing both. With guys who are professionals in both games.
this is going around in circles.
I am sure people have gotten contracts out of the shute shield, QLD Cup NSW Cup before as well.
That doesn't change the standard of the comp, the comp remains at its particular standard playing with the players who are not yet good enough to obtain that said contract.
As for the perpetuation of fallacies - you need only look at your post claiming that some of the skills on display in the ITM cup were above the NRL (I am assuming you aren't just referring to the union skills that are not in league like scrummaging.)
If your mindset is in a place were you honestly believe the stuff you wrote above of course you are going to take unreasonable issues with my very very reasonable posts.
I am sure people have gotten contracts out of the shute shield, QLD Cup NSW Cup before as well.
That doesn't change the standard of the comp, the comp remains at its particular standard playing with the players who are not yet good enough to obtain that said contract.
As for the perpetuation of fallacies - you need only look at your post claiming that some of the skills on display in the ITM cup were above the NRL (I am assuming you aren't just referring to the union skills that are not in league like scrummaging.)
If your mindset is in a place were you honestly believe the stuff you wrote above of course you are going to take unreasonable issues with my very very reasonable posts.
Aussie D
Desmond Connor (43)
Front page of the Terror today:
Panthers roar into final four ..... nice rhyming headline, problem is there are 8 teams remaining.
Also, being Father's Day I was at my parent's yesterday and watched a replay of the rugby test, as soon as it was finished we turned it over to watch the league as he is a Bulldogs fan. After about two minutes no. 15 for the titans, in the act of tackling one of the bulldog players picks the guys leg up pretty much over his own head (his teammate held the player around the waist) and drops the guy almost on his head (the player was abled to curl to avoid going head / neck first into the turf). Straight away I turned to my Dad and said that bloke should be given a red (sent off as they don't have cards in league) as it was dangerous, especially considering the young bloke ended in a wheelchair earlier on this year. Result Penalty and on report. Gutless act by the officials.
Panthers roar into final four ..... nice rhyming headline, problem is there are 8 teams remaining.
Also, being Father's Day I was at my parent's yesterday and watched a replay of the rugby test, as soon as it was finished we turned it over to watch the league as he is a Bulldogs fan. After about two minutes no. 15 for the titans, in the act of tackling one of the bulldog players picks the guys leg up pretty much over his own head (his teammate held the player around the waist) and drops the guy almost on his head (the player was abled to curl to avoid going head / neck first into the turf). Straight away I turned to my Dad and said that bloke should be given a red (sent off as they don't have cards in league) as it was dangerous, especially considering the young bloke ended in a wheelchair earlier on this year. Result Penalty and on report. Gutless act by the officials.
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