Trying to tell the egg chasers

[John83]

I've havn't such a problem with it either but when people say its better than football i just have to step in.

How about you counter that anyone who thinks one sport is objectively "better" than another is an ignorant arsehole?

[Lev Yashin]

On a personal level I dont like rugby...all my mates watch it and being from Munster i have tried...but i cant fathom a game where you throw a ball backwards to go forewards. Its just a personal thing. I get a slagging of mates of mine for playing football...its a ponce's game , your not a real man, fancy dan etc. But i think you have good and bad side of both games, the way football has gone is sorrowful, divingand the like and it can be embarressing to watch and try and defend especially when you see some of the hits that rugby players take and get up from.

A sport that people make sacrafices to play, that encourages kids to get of their asses and play sport, and brings communities together is alright in my books!!! regardless of the shape of the bal!!!

[Wolfie]

I think the clue may be contained in its title - football.

You're only allowed use two of your limbs (***insert obvious Henry joke here ****).

Therefore, in conclusion, all of my above points and cogitations clearly illustrate how football is the superior and only truly world game.

[Den Perry]

Try this for size. In football World Cup, minnows such as New Zealand can draw with (the now former)world champions, Italy.

Rugby World Cup : Former World Champions New Zealand would absolutely hammer the not so much as minnows, Italy. So that's two teams in say probably top 10 /11 in the World playing and you know the result s a forgeone conclusion, and a non-event by half time. Not so in soccer(or rarely)

Second reason. GAA heads running around in Munster Rugby tops etc. For a few years Munster had some serious gaa bandwagon jumpers

[Dodge]

How about you counter that anyone who thinks one sport is objectively "better" than another is an ignorant arsehole?

IMO there's nothing wrong with thnking one sport is better than the others. being annoyed by someone witha differetn viewpoint is the problem

Seriously, who cares what games/sports people like?

[John83]

IMO there's nothing wrong with thnking one sport is better than the others. being annoyed by someone witha differetn viewpoint is the problem

Seriously, who cares what games/sports people like?

I agree, Dodge. I like football more than other sports, but - objectively - that's a personal preference, not some inherent superiority of football.

[PartySaint]

Tell them when the Rugby World Cup Final gets 1 Billion people watching it they can then come back and talk about which is the better sport

[thischarmingman]

Tell them when the Rugby World Cup Final gets 1 Billion people watching it they can then come back and talk about which is the better sport

On the numbers basis, The DaVinci code is one of the best books in the world, Westlife among the leading musical luminaries, and Sex in the City 2 an Oscar-laden classic.

[osarusan]

On the numbers basis, The DaVinci code is one of the best books in the world, Westlife among the leading musical luminaries, and Sex in the City 2 an Oscar-laden classic.

And you'd disagree with any of this??!!

[poster]

Rugby used to be a decent sport to watch and follow till it turned into a bank holiday break in Wales for Southern Dubliners.

[Paddyfield]

I don't have the answer but this video will raise a smile
RUGBY Vs FOOTBALL
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c3iBhwi_3mk

[Riddickcule]

I'm just going to say Football requires more skill, thats the only card I need.

[Macy]

I love both sports, ive played both sports and they both have something to offer a sports fan. I agree some rugby fans can be arseholes but that doesnt make it a bad sport. There are plenty of arseholes following football too. Theyre both great games.

D4 Rugger Buggers vs the thousands of premiership "fans"? It's a lot easier to avoid the rugger buggers...

[seand]

This isn't an anti-rugby rant but it is clearly an inferior game! Just a very few quick thoughts...

The joy of football at every level is its sheer simplicity. The idea is to propel a ball through the goal, you can't use your hands. That is basically it. You can play football anywhere with any number of players. You can't really have a kickaround at rugby.

The laws of the game book is a pamphlet. By contrast rugby is mired in convoluted rules and restrictions, from only passing back, the scrum, lineout, ruck, maul etc. There rules governing the lineout are longer than the rules governing football.

A big problem for rugby (in my opinion) is that there is a small pool of competitors with huge gaps in ability. Ireland are one of the top 8 or 9 countries in the game but have never, ever beaten New Zealand. We've maybe 2 wins out of 20 over Australia. Add in the fact that every year we'll play the same 6 nations championship, and if we want a friendly there are only 4 options.

[Spudulika]

This is one of the most illuminating and hilarious threads on foot.ie I've had the pleasure/misfortune to read and I have to keep hope alive by figuring that (apart from those who hold the opinion that sport is sport and if it gets people out and active and gives pleasure then let them at it) the majority of posters are tongue in cheek, rather than tongue in their own, well, needn't say. It's all purely personal, and if anyone feels they have to knock another sport to build their own then they aren't really sportspeople, or knowledgable, and are pretty much devoid of class. This goes for footballheads, gaheejits, golfdorks or ruggerbuggers. Lump them together and they're all the same, and completely different from those who can sit and spend a weekend watching Ireland lose with honour on Saturday morning, some pampered pro's knock a furry ball over a net in the afternoon from the "mainland", the Dubs get annually humiliated (spits to the side) on a Sunday afternoon, then watch a game from South Africa where hype and vuvuzelas aside there are flashes of skill in the nerves and negativity. None of the sports are better than the other, all can deliver delight and allow kids to dream.

I work full time in sports, dealing with football folk can be the most depressing and I detest (sometimes) watching football on tv, much preferring it live as you can properly enjoy it. I play rugby and find rugby people open and welcoming, especially abroad, though I cannot watch a tv game (unless it's Ireland) as it's just too boring. I grew up playing all sports and my first loves (boxing and hurling) contain more skills than I could ever hope to know. Yet never in a million years would I betray my stupidity by saying one is more or less skilful than another. Try jink past 2 defenders, get hit by a forward and then have to contort your body and present the ball in rugby, or control and volley a snapshot in football, or field then solo past an attacker to clear your lines in gaelic football.

Idiots are found on and off the field/court in every sport, we should enjoy whatever we want and just respect the others. But then again, I do sometimes beg a pardon when it comes to the benefit of an overactive pituitary gland - ie for basketball or volleyball, but just because nature has made you 190cms doesn't mean you can dribble, dunk or serve and spike, still, those tall people have it good.

[Spudulika]

This isn't an anti-rugby rant but it is clearly an inferior game! Just a very few quick thoughts...

The joy of football at every level is its sheer simplicity. The idea is to propel a ball through the goal, you can't use your hands. That is basically it. You can play football anywhere with any number of players. You can't really have a kickaround at rugby.

The laws of the game book is a pamphlet. By contrast rugby is mired in convoluted rules and restrictions, from only passing back, the scrum, lineout, ruck, maul etc. There rules governing the lineout are longer than the rules governing football.

A big problem for rugby (in my opinion) is that there is a small pool of competitors with huge gaps in ability. Ireland are one of the top 8 or 9 countries in the game but have never, ever beaten New Zealand. We've maybe 2 wins out of 20 over Australia. Add in the fact that every year we'll play the same 6 nations championship, and if we want a friendly there are only 4 options.

seand, I just spoke about some of the matters you mention with reps from small nations in FIRA (their AGM). From everything that came out the English are blocking any progress for rugby and plans. The following was voted on, approved and then, somehow, the RFU had some way to veto the implementation.

The current ENC work as a feeder to the 6N - ie the top team in ENC Division 1A gets promoted to the top table or the bottom 2 sides in the 6N play off with the top two nations in 6N, the winners are in the 6N for the following year. Result, 2 abstentions, 3 against, rest for (including Ireland, France and Scotland). RFU veto. Proposition and motion dropped until 2011.

Under the ERC competitions there is a European League on a regional format, franchised. In total 16 sides from 14 countries (of 24 interested) taken in first league. Top 2 sides get to play off for a chance in the Challenge Cup. I don't know the result but it was not passed, again, and rugby continues to suffer.

Rugby is growing in popularity in countries where a few years ago it was minimal (due in part to Irish and British ex-pats), and others where there is a link to stronger rugby playing nations from past emigration. However it's never going to succeed as none of the 6N countries would really support the promotion relegation idea if it were a runner - the loss of revenue alone would hit too hard, while having Georgia or Romania up in the top ranks would be too dangerous long term - especially Georgia where rugby is only second to it's national rugby type game.

Sadly rugby is going to hit a ceiling and start dying.