Why are rugby league players in Australia so much better than union players?

Question

so many great players in league, but in union you would only pay to see half a dozen in australia...does union need better recruitment and talent identification or greater physical development and skills training

Answer 1

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker

I think its because League is the main sport played here. The opposite is found over the ditch. Where the Union players are better there than the League players because its the main sport played.
Each sport is more popular to the locals of that country.
Aussie always do good at League. (they've been the world champs for ever.!!) and, although the ABs have only been world champs once, Their history speaks for itself. They can win everything that rugby union has to offer...but it always comes down to who wins on the day... who plays better...on the day...who takes the trophy home...on the day.

Source(s):

A Kiwi living in Aussie.

Asker's Rating:

Asker's Comment:

fush and chups ehh bro

Answer 2

Rugby Union has been sinking to a new low for a while now. The whole concept of the original game is out the window. I dont watch it anymore just because how boring it is these days, no more line breaks, no more spur of the moment excitement, hardly no more tries, its just all about clearing the ball and taking penalty goals. Cant remember who was playing now but a few weeks ago, a team was behind by a fair big margin, and they took a penalty goal!! A penalty goal because they were too lazy to try get more points. There is nothing good about the sport, whatever was good 5 years ago does not exsist anymore or gets done so often it becomes ridiculous, they are clearing the ball like 60-70 times a game!! Ridiculous. Rugby players no longer have skill, endurance, speed and toughness, when its Rugby League players who are getting bigger, stronger, faster & talented each year.

Answer 3

Well Rugby Leauge is a more faster, tougher, versatile, and spontanius game than Rugby Union. I would say (from experience in both games) that RU is not as exciting as RL. RU has set plays from the start to the finish and are not encouraged to do anything spontanius. Whereas in RL there are a variety of ways in which you can play the game.

Source(s):

My thoughts from experiece!

Answer 4

Think it all comes down to what people find entertaining! RL in Oz is amazing - the skills, speed and physical nature of the sport make it a great TV product, hence its popularity!

But, you head over the ditch (NZ), and its the opposite - Kiwi's love RU, and find it exciting!

Its really the sporting culture where you brought up! Obviously, if your on East coast (NSW, ACT, QLD), RL would be the staple sport! Whereas, AFL is followed throughout the country! Then RU has a large world wide base, including Europe, Asia, Pacific & not forgeting South Africa!

The game is only entertaining to people that have grown up with it...hence RL supporters find RU boring, vice versa!

Answer 5

They're not. Until recently when rugby went professional, if the league players were so much better why did the clubs keep raiding the union ranks. Both games are good to play and are enjoyed by those who play them. Leave it at that.

Kingacebob, you will probably find that there are more junior soccer players than the other codes put together.

Answer 6

Because there are more league players to choose from in Australia, I think there is 3 aussie teams in the super 14s and about 9 teams from nz in the same comp, It really comes down to how many players you have to choose from yr country....

Rugby Union is watched and played more in nz than league and vice versa in Australia...from a kiwi living in Aussie

Answer 7

i agree with the other comments but i would add that 10-15 years ago all the private highscools in queensland played only rugby union..there wass a shift with many of the gps schools starting league comps..so maybe this is part of the problem..not enuff development as kids.

When i went to school i played with a few current era union guys..but most of them played league first then switched codes for better money and a more "elite" standing with better after rugby deals on offer.

Berrick Barnes comes to mind..... once a bronco..now a wallaby.

Answer 8

private school girls suk

their parents are too soft

in the early days most rugby union city club teams, swiched to league.

Alot around southeast Qld swapped, back then all the league teams were stealing union players. lol we got it back

Source(s):

queenslander (league Heartland)

4-0nsw

5 soon

Answer 9

Rugby league is way more popular than union, so young players usually choose to play rugby league. Rugby league is full of talent and we dominate the world. The Wallabies are struggling to win most games.

Answer 10

I agree with tiny45; The All Blacks,Spring Bok's,the French and the Pom's-Rugby Union is there mostly played sport between the Two codes. I think thats why they are better at it than us, but where getting better at it. Time will tell.

Answer 11

It isn't that League players are better, it's just that there are more League players. Rugby League is alot more popular in Australia than Rugby is, therefore meaning more people will play League.

Answer 12

Rugby League is WAY more popular than Union, and also Rugby League needs more skill and talent. More people choose to play League than Union. Think about this way... there's more teams in League than Union.

Answer 13

Better athletes go towards the more lucrative sports. Same principle anywhere.

Answer 14

Most rugby union players have a job.

Answer 15

Because RL allows players to be able to do their best!

Answer 16

a silly question, RL is the main winter sport along with afl. there are more soccer players in aust then RU