The difference between rugby league and rugby union players

Wendell Sailor did it, Brad Thorn excelled at it - yet Sam Burgess struggled. Now Joseph Sua'ali'i will try. Why do some athletes make the switch between rugby league and rugby union and others don't?
Michael Cheika believes it's doable - and the long mooted hybrid games could come to fruition.

[@alliedatheistalliance6776]

Rugby league were in the right when they split, and that was proven when union went pro. They should have reunited the codes then, maybe union slowly merging into league (but please, keep the scrums!) If they ever do reunite league and union, Michael Cheika would be the perfect man to do it.

[@Benjieboy247]

I can't see it, they're two very different sports now. The union hierarchy were snobby idiots and League absolutely were right morally. I just prefer union gameplay

[@AHomelessShoe]

​@@Benjieboy247that's pretty much my view as well. Union elites were dicks back in the day, but it's still the more fun code to watch for me.

[@mervynriley3531]

We don.t want the two games uniting. League is a much better game and far more enjoyable to watch.

[@davemorse5900]

Union is more entertaining if the TMO doesn't constantly interfere

[@andrewlang3744]

Union is a far better game to watch in my opinion. Set piece and legitimate contest at breakdown make is no contest. Sure the hits in league are bigger but so what? I want to see offloads, skilful passes and tactics that league just doesn’t deliver.

[@galinor7]

League has more offloads that Union. It is faster paced. There are more tackles. What are you talking about? Outside of the All blacks and the Bocks standards aren't that spectacular, Wales Italy is an elite level internation standard match. Is it great Rugb? League is just different.

[@nikolaucznaum4312]

Thankyou Micheal. At last a professional appraisal of the Sam Burges affair, the poor guy was surrounded by incompetence

[@Lezzyboy87]

Burgess was fine in union, england were winning before they subbed him

[@DarwinNorth]

And they put him on against Australia when the game was well and truly lost.

[@LeedsAway]

One is a northern English working class game, and the other is a southern English middle/upper class game

[@freddiemedley5580]

Which is the poorest and most working class region in England? The midlands, and we play rugby union and not league 🤡

[@LeedsAway]

@freddiemedley5580 If you actually took time to research the history of the sport, you'd know what I meant. Players in the North couldn't afford to play without getting paid, as they had to take time off of work, but the southern teams players could. They had to form their own league so the players could get paid. Also, the seccond poorest area in the country is North East London, but being a poor area is irrelevant. Do some research on the history of Rugby league before posting a silly comment 👍🤡

[@jakeclough8090]

⁠​⁠@@LeedsAwaywell they don’t play league in north east London either mate so thanks for proving yourself wrong 😂😂 think before posting a silly comment yeah 👍🤡

[@LeedsAway]

@@jakeclough8090 A previous reply said that the midlands is a poor area and they play union, so in my reply I said “being a poor area is irrelevant” meaning that, just because an area is poor doesn’t mean they play rugby league and I used North East London as an example of this, so you’ve just agreed with what I said. Think you misunderstood 🤡 Maybe read it properly before being so quick to comment next time 👍

[@LeedsAway]

@jakeclough8090 You've misunderstood what I've said 🤦‍♂️ I responded to a previous reply which made reference to the midlands being "poor" and Rugby league not being played there. I even put in my response that being poor is "irrelevant" to wether or not an area plays rugby league. I used North East London as and example of this as it's a poor area, and rugby league isn't big there, so you've just agreed with the exact point I was making. Maybe try to read properly next time 🤡

[@EzzyKay-eq8di]

In League the 10meters rule of the defensive line behind the "play the ball" is what makes me choose it over union. A pure union player would gas out before the 2nd half from continuous forward running (in attack) and running 10mtrs back and forth (in defense) trust me..

[@russe19642]

Yeh nah, opposite actually. You'd know this if you were a forward and played union. 80 minutes of not stopping and if you watch NRL a forward will do one run then return back into the line up. In union you're in the ball constantly . The backs in both games are the same, princesses hanging around like seagulls waiting for a chip

[@EzzyKay-eq8di]

@@russe19642 I was talking about the defensive aspect bro. If you were a forward in league, every set you defend you have to go back 10meters from the tackle made and come back up to meet the offense, unlike union. You also have to keep up with the ruck speed to avoid leaving a gap in the defensive line also avoid being offside. League is fast paced bro.

[@EzzyKay-eq8di]

@@russe19642 obviously you've never played league.

[@russe19642]

@@EzzyKay-eq8di played all four codes moving and living all around Australia growing up. Touch rugby is more aerobic than league and similar to union mate. I played second row for years and you have to be at every contest and don't get a breather after one run like in league.

[@russe19642]

@@EzzyKay-eq8di you're probably the type that believes AFL isn't as hard and AFL players couldn't play league because they're not tough enough 😂😂😂

[@paulywalnutz5855]

sam burgess was played in wrong position and didnt give himself enough time to learn the game

[@chickentwisties2298]

Indeed he should have played number 6 or number 8.

[@beianimeyah24]

But it would of taken him at least 5 years to be a proper rugby player with no cracks in his game no one’s gonna waste money for that long.

[@paulywalnutz5855]

yeh so he would of had to make the transition earlier, thats what i mean@@beianimeyah24

[@naytefors1047]

yes he would need to learn to play in the forwards in union@@beianimeyah24

[@moptopbaku6022]

Sam wasn't given enough time and they had no idea where to play him. Not his fault.

[@Idkidk55957]

Rugby league rules with rugby union scrums and line outs would be amazing

[@rumourhats]

This is why a hybrid game would never work. What to keep? What to abolish? As a League fan, union scrums and line outs would be so traumatic to watch.

[@kenjones6441]

Really?

[@Bolognabeef]

What about rucks?

[@MikeC-my4lf]

From the American just now after 53 years of life...falling in love watching rugby...Union is far more fun to watch than League.

[@jakeclough8090]

It’s so good isn’t it! Have you got a club team you like to watch. Gotta choose an mlr one and then a premiership one as well

[@MikeC-my4lf]

@@jakeclough8090 watching the All Blacks and the Springboks are great games. I do not know leagues...whether Australian or European...so I'm teamless. Maybe you could suggest teams to look at?

[@jakeclough8090]

@@MikeC-my4lf oh I’d love to. Well there’s 7 main professional leagues in rugby spread around the world. The Premiership (England), the Top 14 (France), the URC (South African, Irish, Scottish, Welsh and Italian teams together) Super rugby (Aussie, New Zealand and a Fijian and islander team) the MLR (USA), Japanese League One in Japan and Super rugby Americas (teams mostly based in South America). The MLR (major league rugby) in USA has teams currently based in Chicago, Boston, Washington DC, Charlotte, New Orleans, Miami, Houston, Dallas, San Diego, LA, Seattle, Utah. So whichever one of them in America is closest would be a good place to start. The MLR season runs from February to July time so sadly the season is over now. I think they show some games on Fox but the rugby network and Flosports are the 2 other main subscriptions you need to watch all the rugby. In England I support Saracens, who play in the Gallagher Premiership. Although Harlequins and Northampton are 2 particularly entertaining teams to watch. Toulouse are the biggest best club in the world, they play in the Top 14 in France. Leinster are a massive club in Ireland who are always really strong and Munster are a historic Irish club as well. The bulls and stormers are the 2 best historical South African rugby clubs, they ate based in Pretoria and Cape Town. Although the sharks in Durban currently have the most South African internationals, players like etzebeth and maybe kolisi as well now. Fijian drugs are everyone’s second team to love in super rugby, they get great fans in Fiji. Most of the 5 kiwi teams are pretty entertaining to watch. Not many people really watch the Japanese league outside Japan. Super rugby Americas is more of a developmental league for South American sides but it’s working clearly. There is also a team from Colorado in this league. But yeah I’d recommend just watching a few and seeing what you’re naturally drawn to. Outside the MLR, I would focus on the 3 European leagues of the premiership, urc and top 14 as best for time zones, fan atmospheres and quality of the teams. They restart their seasons in about 3 weeks time. Obviously I’d say watch the Premiership and support Saracens, the Sarries ⚫️🔴 but just enjoy the sport mate, it has so much to offer!

[@galinor7]

That's just an opinion. I prefer League. Outside of the elite level Union is rather ragged or plod. But I watch both. Each to their own.

[@MikeC-my4lf]

@@galinor7 ok...I enjoy English Premier, I like the team from Bath, I'm also watching NRL and very much enjoying it as well, the Melbourne Storm. I enjoy the more action and pace of League and though Union is a bit slower...just watching the raw power in a good Scrum, the throw ins, the mauls of Union are exciting. I don't like the volume of stoppage in plays, I would like to see more tries at Trys(?) but all in all, never enjoyed watching any sport more in my life

[@savethebeesplantherbs8809]

They played union v league in England in the 1980s Wigan v bath rugby union they need to merge rugby to rival football on a world stage imagine the crowds at test matches here in the uk or elsewhere the sport has a bright future by working as one together I'm a Leeds rugby league fan

[@russe19642]

Union is closer to AFL than league is. Rucks,throw ins,live ball and not allowed to kill it,Rovers are flankers. Only difference is can't pass forward and can't knock on,but in its purest form rugby wouldn't stop like AFL until someone kills the ball, league doesn't even scrum anymore, just hand it over because it's their turn

[@jackthelad5366]

What a load of garbage you speak absolute sheeeite

[@luisfernandor.pdealmeida1229]

League is closer to the NFL/NCAA football with the down system.

[@russe19642]

@@luisfernandor.pdealmeida1229 true,play stops.

[@LomuHabana]

There are a lot of similarities between the ball in/ruck in Aussie rules, certainly when considering that lifting players was not allowed until the late 90s. If you watch classic line outs without lifting, it looks very similar to an AFL ruck. But for the rest, can you explain it more in detail? Watching all 3 codes, league generally appears closer to Union to me, flankers are rovers? Can’t kill it? What does that mean?

[@StrikingAlexa]

League players are also fitter

[@jarradmorgan8549]

League players could never handle a proper scrum or a fucking maul they would get way to tired.

[@anthonymakiha7523]

@@jarradmorgan8549 your delulu, bro league players do double the work of a union player in a game....

[@jarradmorgan8549]

@@anthonymakiha7523 then do a effin proper scrum or don’t have one.

[@jarradmorgan8549]

@@anthonymakiha7523 afl 4th most attended sport on the planet I rest my case. Rugby league nowhere to be seen haha.

[@anthonymakiha7523]

@@jarradmorgan8549 mcdonalds also sell the most burgers in the world, that mean they have the best burgers in the world? I rest my case

[@craighodgson6056]

Union players are tougher

[@chrisp3330]

Haha! I’ve played rep level at both codes and I can assure you that league is the tougher game to play. Unless you’ve played at a good level at both you can’t comment.

[@ozycobber4973]

Respect for Cheika.

[@IanLyons-w2y]

Can’t watch union I’ve tried but it’s too slow and boring, league is light years ahead & so entertaining

[@jakeclough8090]

You’re watching the wrong games the bro, or just don’t understand it 😂😂

[@HeidiDamun]

Union is more boring with so many penalties

[@mrpappageorgio8311]

Says the Australian

[@_peepyopee]

As opposed to the ridiculous amount of penalties and sin bins in league?

[@jakeclough8090]

Just day the code is too difficult for you to understand mate 😂😂 Ireland v South Africa 2nd test recently was all penalties, one of the best games ever

[@craighodgson6056]

It's more about the hits and impact. This is why yal are gonna lose the Lions series. Sad.

[@zachpowell977]

Na mate. Switching at the halfway would be too chaotic. You run 12 v 12 w union style rucks, but no jackal. Then you remove scrums all together or you run union scrums. Each side only gets 5 phases like league.

[@zachpowell977]

No lineouts or no lifting. One or the other

[@Shawn-oh5yq]

Rugby Australia would throw a fit if a Kangaroos/ABs game ever happened. Rugby AU need the ABs to stay relevant and pay the bills.

[@brianandrea3249]

A Kangaroos vs All Blacks hybrid game would sell out the MCG! Do it!

[@willtekata1763]

League is offensive defensive and is a spin off from rugby. Rugby needs more stamina.

[@galinor7]

Rugby is offense, defence it shares it's history and roots with Union 15s. Union needs more stamina.

[@robmcrob2091]

The only thing that would even prompt a discussion about cooperation between league and union is if they were both dying on their arses. Neither of them are. Their appeal may be limited (largely by each other) but both have a player and fan base that can sustain an elite professional game. As long as that's the case there's no need for them to cooperate, merge or even talk to each other. So they won't. Pretty simple really.

[@bobsmith3291]

Ones for the working class the other if for Tory posh muppet

[@DaveMorse-fs4vr]

Let's play 5 phases and kick it to the opposition Boring!

[@jaydencorley3512]

Lets be honoust union is true rugby, league is simple rugby.

[@cornishcamper3338]

Another deluded yawniion fan if rolling mauls endless scrums countless penalties, and ball out of play for up to 32 mins in some games, is your idea of a thrilling game then your welcome to it,

[@kenjones6441]

If it’s that simple why are there so many ex league players coaching at top Union level and no ex union players coaching League.

[@JK4ManC]

Standards in league have always been exceptionally high. Even at the higher end of the amateur game. Union has taken so much from league since it went professional. I personally love the rolling mauls and the tighter more formal scrums in union. The things that go against league for me are the rubbish scrummaging. Union has become a bit of a mess and probably needs to lose a couple of players as the midfield gets too crowde with huge bodies ambling around. Union needs simplifying and league has maybe simplified a bit too much. A good game of either is just about the best sports spectacle you will see.

[@Eytony3631]

Should invent a new league/union hybrid with 14 players, get rid of scrum and bring back union lineouts

[@moptopbaku6022]

@@JK4ManC Yawnion scrums are a joke. When was the last time the ball went in straight?

[@fxt363]

League is WWF and Union is MMA. Ball in action more in League so you get more bang for your buck. But Union is global which gives it makes it more interesting. Each country has their own flavour, strengths and weapons.

[@VelvetRiot-hz5mp]

Both are not great spectator sports. Slow moving and bugger all skills. But the un-co need to have something I guess.

[@jakeclough8090]

And what is a good spectators sport then 😂😂

[@steelcity4581]

There’s a reason union is more popular world wide

[@jackthelad5366]

Yeah cos it was played by the country’s public schools who end up running the country and not working class northerners who could do little to expand it, brain donor 😂

[@keithratcliffe2235]

In England at Twickenham they are cooperate piss ups .Many watching the game don't know what's going on .Even the refs and commentators! Still the endless resets at scrums gives one time get a drink and the play hasn't moved an inch.Still what a splendid way to go on the razzle.

[@weburnitatbothends]

union is boring AF

[@tsherwood2112]

The difference is, league is just entertaining. Union is only entertaining if you are smart enough to understand

[@NoName-hg6cc]

League makes me yawn

[@trilli7914]

I use to love League I grew up watching it N wouldn't miss a game of Origin or the broncos playing but when my brain developed with age I also developed an acquired taste for a more complex form of rugby. Now I find league super boring and lame and brainless to watch. Rugby Union is this best rugby and should be the only rugby played in the world. Sorry if i offended any League fans but it's true once you understand half the rules of Union you will realise how lame League is and how much better and competitive Union is.

[@SportsFan838]

​@@trilli7914 Ok first of all you sound dumb so stop acting like you know everything. Second of all Rugby Union and League are fun sports in their own way. There's no who's smart to understand nothing.

[@SportsFan838]

​@@trilli7914 Also what you said was an opinion not a fact lol😂

[@carpetsnake83]

Half vs half sounds dumb

[@mattvader2023]

League is an amateur sport 😂😂

[@savethebeesplantherbs8809]

It went professional years before union ever did there is a reason for that the players and clubs have vision there not blind folded by tradition or the idea rugby cant better itself

[@mattvader2023]

@savethebeesplantherbs8809 field hockey has a bigger following than league 👍 can't compete with union globally so compared to the 2 it's pretty amateur

[@Schemaposse631]

Union is crap

[@savethebeesplantherbs8809]

its the foundations of rugby and as a rugby league fan i appreciate what union gave rugby league it allowed it to be created and find its own way foward however the future is merge both codes into a world sport to rival football thats the future