Message to All Ruggers

[Marshal Murat]

I've decided that Rugby (union) is the best sport. I've been to half a dozen sports matches of various types (baseball, football, soccer, basketball, you get the gist), yet there is something that puts this sport above others, and I want to thank the real supporters out there.

Recently I attended my first serious rugby match, an international test match in Chicago, USA vs. WALES. I enjoyed the game to no end, just because I enjoy rugby anyway and the Welsh people were really cool (despite what some of my friends may say).
On the bus-ride back, however, that's when my perceptions changed. The fans talked and talked, and then an uneasy silence settled. Suddenly, right beside me, a Welsh fan started singing. It was traditional rugby songs first (Bread of Heaven, Sosban Fach), then some good pub songs (Working in Chicago), and then capped it off with some Tom Jones. All the guys joined in, especially the drunk Welsh fans.

Now, to those who haven't experienced this, it was freaking amazing. For those who have, I want to thank you for continuing this tradition. It made the match so much more fun and to all those who experience this every match day, I envy you.

[johnhughthom]

I'll never forget travelling down to Dublin to watch Ulster win the European Cup, there was something surreal about seeing all those red hands all over Dublin. There was a great moment in the bar I was in before the game when two guys in Celtic football (soccer) tops walked in and looked around in bewilderment at all the Ulster regalia around the bar. Fair play to them, they came in and joined us, probably the best example I've ever come across of sport crossing divides.

[Louis VI the Fat]

What's the saying? 'Rugby is a sport for thugs, played by gentlemen. Football is a gentleman's game, played by thugs'.


Association football, that is. More readily known as soccer.

The good thing about rugger is that you have all the passion, exuberance and tradition of football, but without the nastiness.

As with football, fans from the British Isles rule. They are the standard, the one and only. Scottish footy fans, Irish rugby fans, the 'kop' at Liverpool singing 'you'll never walk alone' in perfect unison - for all the passion football and rugby arouse elsewhere, nothing beats the Brits for sheer atmosphere.

[Pannonian]

What's the saying? 'Rugby is a sport for thugs, played by gentlemen. Football is a gentleman's game, played by thugs'.


Association football, that is. More readily known as soccer.

The good thing about rugger is that you have all the passion, exuberance and tradition of football, but without the nastiness.

As with football, fans from the British Isles rule. They are the standard, the one and only. Scottish footy fans, Irish rugby fans, the 'kop' at Liverpool singing 'you'll never walk alone' in perfect unison - for all the passion football and rugby arouse elsewhere, nothing beats the Brits for sheer atmosphere.

The most enjoyable singing I've recently seen was the Liverpool crowd's taunting of the Newcastle manager Alan Shearer with "You should have stayed on the telly", and singing the Match of the Day tune "Da da da da...". Cruel, but hilarious and improvised on the spot.

[Banquo's Ghost]

Recently I attended my first serious rugby match, an international test match in Chicago, USA vs. WALES. I enjoyed the game to no end, just because I enjoy rugby anyway and the Welsh people were really cool (despite what some of my friends may say).
On the bus-ride back, however, that's when my perceptions changed. The fans talked and talked, and then an uneasy silence settled. Suddenly, right beside me, a Welsh fan started singing. It was traditional rugby songs first (Bread of Heaven, Sosban Fach), then some good pub songs (Working in Chicago), and then capped it off with some Tom Jones. All the guys joined in, especially the drunk Welsh fans.

Now, to those who haven't experienced this, it was freaking amazing. For those who have, I want to thank you for continuing this tradition. It made the match so much more fun and to all those who experience this every match day, I envy you.

The Welsh are wonderful, wonderful hosts and their singing thrills every time. If you ever have a chance, try and visit the Millenium Stadium in Cardiff for a match - you will never feel so welcomed. There are two great experiences in rugger - listening to the French sing the Marseillaise and the Welsh sing Land of my Fathers. One cannot do aught but swell with pride, no matter one's own ancestry.

Another stop over might be Thomond Park. Of course, I'm biased, but there is nothing like being caught up in the Munster tornado. Just look at the Sale players (especially Chabal....;-))

Rugby Union is one of the few sports where celebrating with the opposition is actually most of the point, win or lose. I even bought a Leinsterman some beers backalong. I'm looking forward to the continued growth of the sport in the USA - a competitive American team will be a wonder to behold and really exciting!

[Louis VI the Fat]

Video of France mercilessly beating a tiny Pacific Island nation at rugby.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qSFXxivsoMg

[Marshal Murat]

I just subscribed to an online rugby-match-video site, and I watched that last night.

Congradulations Louis.

[Strike For The South]

So everyone congragulates him but when I express an affinty for football, I get my citzenship revoked. lamesis

On topic: I really like the all blacks and Chabal mostly because I like to hop on bandwagons. I've always wanted to give Rugby a go it's just I always go to sports that I have an understamding of.

Congrats on seeing the match sounds like fun!

[miotas]

He he. Here in Oz ruggers is a brand of shorts so I always laugh when I see this thread title

[Pannonian]

One of my favourite sights in rugby is a flowing attack, where the ball is passed through several attackers running at full pace. Not handovers, but fullblooded passes across 10 yards or more. Extra marks for an unexpected change of direction.