What do you prefer American Football, League or Union?

[GWW]

Union by a fair margin. League is repetitive garbage, and Gridiron i have to admit i'm way too ignorant about.

[Dutchy]

thanks for the explanation Jimmy, interesting

meanwhile NFL has hit the front!

[am Bays]

Union by so far it ain't funny.

Austrlain Football is King but gee when you watch Multiphase running Rugby well it is fantastic witness Owen finnegans 8 phase final try scored in teh 99 World Cup. Also if you doubt me get an DVD of David Campese Highlights - His try v the All balcks in 91 semi final, his pass to Horan in the same game and try v South Africa at Cape Town in 92.

Ruby is a great game.

League was good but if you want a shining example of a game that has sold its soul to TV it is League. The number of incorrect play the balls, 2nd row feeds and de-powering of the scrum all dewsigned to amke it more artificially attacking following the defense orientated games pioneered by Canterbury and parramatta in the mid 80s. The GF scores from 84-86 were 6-4. 7-6, 8-6 (IIRC correctly for 86 I know I have 84 & 85 right).

I don't mind Gridiron but Dave Parkin is on to something when he says, "How can you follow a sport when half the team doesn't trust the other half to handle the ball and the 2nd half dosen't trust the 1st half to tackle/defend.

Also I find the tactics so boring 1st two Downs run, 3 rd Down attempt to pass (defensive team drop back the safetys and weaken the defensive line for the throw, 4th down kick).

So for me Union is the best easy as it is so attractive and teh game is more un-predictable and as a consequence bette to watch, provide youa re watching Southern Hemisphere/French teams. Sorry JAS your home countries are bloody boring

[HH3]

Also I find the tactics so boring 1st two Downs run, 3 rd Down attempt to pass (defensive team drop back the safetys and weaken the defensive line for the throw, 4th down kick).

Its a bit more complex than that. Its very strategic. You'll see a complete drive with 90% running...then with the same formation they will throw while the defense is out of position.

Also the formations are so diverse that from one formation there can be 100 different plays.

For example...on 3rd down if the defense drop back the safetys, the offence could run an 'outs' play where the WRs run to the sideline taking the safetys with them. If the linebackers blitz this will leave the center corridor open and the Tight Ends and Running Backs in good position to take a catch and gain another first down.

There are so many posibillities and its so unpredictable unlike league and union where its a pass, run 2 meters, tackle..get up, pass, run 2 meters tackle.

[Jimmy_041]

thanks for the explanation Jimmy, interesting

meanwhile NFL has hit the front!

As you can see....I was bored - hopefully it wasn't a boring reply

[HH3]

dead even at 33% a piece...very interesting

[Brock Landers]

I voted in favour of Union. It's the only game that I watch sometimes over Aussie Rules (when the Wallabies play etc)

I prefer it to League because of the kicking and the less structured defensive line that happens when there is a line break and quick open play.

Where I think it is a better game than NFL is that it is a truly global sport, and the fact that everyone on the team has to attack and defend.

[JAS]

Sorry JAS your home countries are bloody boring

Yeh...13 of the Ireland squad are from my team...Munster...maybe I can blame our coach for their style of playing

http://www.munsterrugby.ie/8286.php

Regards
JAS

[Phantom Gossiper]

Its League for me.

How some of you can say union is more free-flowing than league has me beat!? Union on the international stage has just become one huge game of kicking for field position followed by a penatly which results in a kick for goal! Not to mention the time required to set up the line-outs. The only time you will see free flowing running union is in the parklands in the local clubs. League is consistantly running up and down and requires a greater core fitness.

I will however agree some elements of league have weakened it eg the depowered scrums but its mostly to keep the game moving of the tv audience.

You say league sold itself out to the tv but doing this stuff, what about AFL?? If anyone has sold itself out AND IS PROUD OF IT it is AFL!! Hell are you even allowed to tackle in AFL anymore?!?

American Football i have a lot of respect for, complicated game and even if they do have a lot of protective padding, you try hauling that around for two hours!

[Phantom Gossiper]

Also in union they hardly even rake in the rucks anymore, so all that "barbaric" brutal stuff isnt even in the game anymore.

Union defensive line is lazy (last set of feet) and messy with a poor staggered defensive line with massive holes!

Dont see many union players playing league but see plenty of league players POACHED for big $$ to union