Can anyone explain to me why league players think they are much fitter than union players?

Question

I don't think league fans understand the the strength and stamina required for rucks, mauls, scrums and line outs.

Discuss

Answer 1

It's because they are! The amount of stopping and starting involved in Union compared to League is massive.

I play union and have played league and the stamina required is incredible.

At an amateur/semi pro level i think the average league player has more stamina than a union player.

But at a professional level the players are at their physical peak and are as fit as possible in both games, so the difference would be alot less.

Answer 2

I agree with jerry in the professional age all sports men and woman are in peek physical condition u dont make it to the top level if youre not but the reason why they think that my theory is that leauge is a very simplified version of rugby a simple game created for simple minds

Answer 3

I am sure this is a fact that dates back a few years. Before the IRB started playing around with the rules, and Union became professional, Union was very much a stop start affair. Also the forwards, who tended to big fat and over weight (like me) used to be taking breathers after our 5 yard charges! The guys in League, which has been professional for ages, were certainly a different breed back then, all fast and physical. I would say that now any professional from League or Union is equally as fit.

Answer 4

No idea, especially seeing there's the interchange for the front rowers.  All the tacklers are tackling players head on as opposed to having to crab across. It doesn't follow logic.

Answer 5

It was the way in the past, even for internationals but the introduction of professionalism to rugby has seen the fitness levels even out, if not better in rugby. In league, the video ref is used so much more giving players a break as well they can have 10 interchanges through the game. Unless it is a front rower, if a player is replaced in the game he is of completely.