Rugby World Cup Political Side Debate: My code is older then your code.

[Papewaio]

Instead of spoiling the frontroom Rugby World Cup thread with this debate of which sport came from which one, play the ball here.

From Wiki:

Both American football and soccer have their origins in varieties of football played in the United Kingdom in the mid-19th century. American football is directly descended from rugby football. The majority of the plays in a typical American football game involve handling the ball rather than kicking it.

Australian Football League:

Australian rules football dates back to 1858, when Tom Wills began to devise the rules of the code. Melbourne Football Club was formed on August 7, 1858. On May 17, 1859, at the Parade Hotel in East Melbourne, Wills, W.J. Hammersley and J.B. Thompson wrote the first set of written rules for Australian rules football. By 1866, several other clubs had also adopted an updated version of Melbourne's rules. In 1877, the amateur Victorian Football Association was established.

Enjoy the debate.

[Boyar Son]

There was many flaws in rugby, so much so that it was NO fun. In fact the only teams left in rugby were elementary schools and prison teams. Then with the reformations and outlawing of the original form of rugby, American Football was born, being one of the most popular sports in the land of the free, home of the brave (US). while, poor europeans were stuck with the original (they wont switch for some reason). You guys have my sympathies.

[Pannonian]

There was many flaws in rugby, so much so that it was NO fun. In fact the only teams left in rugby were elementary schools and prison teams. Then with the reformations and outlawing of the original form of rugby, American Football was born, being one of the most popular sports in the land of the free, home of the brave (US). while, poor europeans were stuck with the original (they wont switch for some reason). You guys have my sympathies.

Any cites for this history?

[Boyar Son]

Why cite?

you dont believe

1. US football is popular here

2. rugby isnt fun here so we ditched it

3. we're the land of the free, home of the brave

4. u have my sympathies

c'mon!

[Pannonian]

Why cite?

you dont believe

1. US football is popular here

2. rugby isnt fun here so we ditched it

3. we're the land of the free, home of the brave

4. u have my sympathies

c'mon!

Those 4 points have nothing to do with the history you described. Please provide a source detailing that this was how the games historically progressed as described in your earlier post.

[Boyar Son]

Those 4 points have nothing to do with the history you described. Please provide a source detailing that this was how the games historically progressed as described in your earlier post.

It obviously does pannanion, please....

1. read my first, than second post

2. mission accomplished

you know just about all these points are true.


its like asking,

"whats englands common language?"

"english"

"plz provide a source"

you see, my points are well known, and asking for a source is well, unescessary

[Papewaio]

For the record I've played, field hockey, football (soccer, rugby (union + league), American, and Aussie). From wing to flanker to goalie to corner... in the end of the day most sports are fun to play with a good team and good to watch at the highest levels.

Those who feel threatened by other codes tend to also drive large cars and try other compensatory mechanisms...

[InsaneApache]

I drive a Mini.

[ShadesPanther]

I drive a Mini.

The size doesn't matter, It's what you do with it.




Comparison of American football and Rugby Union

Rugby was brought to America when there were no set rules and it just evolved differently. Although American Football was very similar to Rugby until Walter Camp made his changes.

[Geoffrey S]

Why do people compare two sports which are fundamentally different and entertaining in different ways? It's a disservice to either sport, lumping them together because both feature big blokes passing a ball around and falling over. There's more to both than that.

[naut]

I'm with Geoffrey S on this one.

They're all pretty fun to watch if you understand what's going on and how the game generally works.

[Evil_Maniac From Mars]

1. US football is popular here

I couldn't argue with that if I wanted to.

2. rugby isnt fun here so we ditched it

Well, Euros, Asians, and Canucks find rugby fun. While Americans may not find it fun, I don't think the change of location in itself would make a sport more or less fun.

3. we're the land of the free, home of the brave

Even if that was as true as you think, this is certainly not the place to debate that. Start a new thread, if you will

4. u have my sympathies

I'm not sure what for.

[ShadesPanther]

Well, Euros, Asians, and Canucks find rugby fun. While Americans may not find it fun, I don't think the change of location in itself would make a sport more or less fun.

You left out the Australasians, Argentina and South Africa.

But Rugby is far more global than American Football.

[Boyar Son]

I couldn't argue with that if I wanted to.


Well, Euros, Asians, and Canucks find rugby fun. While Americans may not find it fun, I don't think the change of location in itself would make a sport more or less fun.


Even if that was as true as you think, this is certainly not the place to debate that. Start a new thread, if you will


I'm not sure what for.

Nevermind guys

[Papewaio]

I drive a Mini.

7 Apaches was a pretty good indication that you rollarblade to work...

[El Diablo]

I love rugby. It is a great game. It is the winter sport that I have played for the past 28 years and although I have "dabbled" in League and despite a lack of understanding can watch Aussie rules (note with a blank expression and a hint of drool out the corner of my mouth). I can not understand American football.

This is certainly due to my ignorance of:
1. Rules
2. Strategies
3. What each player is trying to achive
4. The subtleties of the game

Do I consider rugby superior to American football - no
Do I consider American football superior to rugby - no

Apples and oranges my friend - plain and simple.

Will I watch American football when on the TV - probably not. I feel that my couch is already slightly damp from the Aussie rules drool and there is only so much a man can not know about sport without having to hand in his "man card".

For example - a game on TV - a man can ask "what is the score" but not "who is playing"

[Papewaio]

Did you know that the torpedo kick as used in Rugby Union in NZ is said to have been inspired by a Maori school kid seeing his American teacher throwing a ball with the spin for added accuracy... not sure if that is an urban legend or not... but I do think there is a lot of bleed of on and off field strategies between codes... maybe more at the coaching and training level... I know the Aussie Rules teams have taken on board the professionalism and strength training of the America Football teams...

[El Diablo]

I think that alot of that cross-code inititive was taken on board by the Australian Institute of Sport.

They used to get Baseball guys in to improve cricketers fielding, get Aussie rules guys in to improve Union kicking and League guys in to improve Unions defense.

It all makes sence really.. I had a couple of "Soccer*" playing mates fill infor my rugby team. They did really well actually, the balance and poise of soccer player was far better than any of the rest of us. It just went a bit pear shaped for them when they finally got caught at the bottom of a ruck

*note in NZ soccer players are limited to spending 50% of there time playing soccer and must spend the rest of their time playing rugby of some form or else lose their passport.

As for the Maori torpedo kick - I am not sure. Most of the Maoris that I played with/against never kicked it... see "Maori sidestep". OUCH