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I recently watched the Rugby sevens World Series (or something) on the telly (well, I say that, but really it was just on in the background) and wondering what people out there in the world (i.e. not the UK, France, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa - oh and some tiny Pacific Islands) would think of it all.
I mean, there are other teams in it. France have just murdered Moldova (I think it was them, anyway) about a million to nil, and Russia and Portugal treated us to a display of ball dropping, but in these countries Rugby must be played about as much as Korfball (and I know you're thinking: What the **** is Korfball? - hint - ask Tom Cross). How this sport can have a "World Cup" and a "World Series" I don't know. It's about up there with Cricket.
Of course, I'm being deliberately provocative. Rugby can be an exciting sport to watch, although as a Scot (but neither a farmer nor a public schoolboy) I don't have a big emotional connection to rugby (Ok, another provocative statement).
Advocates will point to the greater respect shown to the referee, compared to football (soccer) and also the diving and feigning of injury that your see in football. It's interesting to note that football wasn't always like that. Of course, it is only very recently that Rugby became a professional sport. As it's profile grows, and the financial stakes increase, will we start to see a rise in the 'evils' that have befallen the beautiful game? Will rugby be able to keep its relative innocence (if you can count fist fights and stamping as innocent) as the game progresses commercially?
We'll see.
In the meantime, roll on the Olympics and the new football season.
Rob Robson, iStadia.com | Networking for the Exercise and Sports Community | Fitness & Sports Jobs | Beijing Olympics News
 | Author: | robrobson (robrobson's profile, robrobson's blog) |
 | Posted On: | Wed, 2008-07-30 22:23 |
 | Tags: | rugby |
 | Comments: | 1 comment, go to comments |
Comments
rugby as a global sport
Approaching this as a rugby coach in both codes (I'm bi-lingual), you may be surprised to find that I will agree with you on several counts (Also I know what Korfball is!)
Both codes are essentially regional, rugby league probably more so, and like all regional sports its adherents can be over fanatical. I have the same situation here with Gaelic sports. They are 'the greatest game' etc.,
To me they have 2 basic problems 1. They were player sports, which have now tried to become spectator sports, i.e. people played rugby and if they had to give up playing they then became spectators. the exception being those nerds who felt a commitment to their alma mater. Which leads onto 2. Soccer is the universal game because a) it only has 1 complex law (offside)and b) only requires something to kick around and 2 coats to act as a goal. The offside rule can be ignored in kickabouts etc.
Both RL and RU have created, changed, modified and experimented with their laws, generally with the aim to make it more presentable on the media.
Now returning to my involvement, I grew up watching and playing both codes. I am a regional person and I did go to a rugby school. I do love being involved in coaching both codes but I also have coached both track and field athletics and seriously enjoyed doing that.
That's enough for now, I'll get back when the discussion gets a bit further on.