The tougher Rugby: Union or League?

Question

The major difference between Union and League is the ruck formation in Union. Very generally speaking, the rest of the two games aspects are very similar. Why then do League supporters insist that their version is tougher when some of the most dangerous action happens at a ruck?

Answer 1

I have played both, and at the time I played League, I was Schoolboy International Union level sow as fit.

After 20 minutes of playing league in Bradfor during a TRAINING MATCH, I was exhausted. In league you are doing one of three things :~

1. tackling

2. running forward in attack carrying the ball or in support

3. running backwards to get into the defensive line

lLeague is practically non stop

So tougher as in more tiring would be league without doubt. But tougher as in more injuries, it is union without doubt.

In League, the play the ball area is policed, and there is only ever 3 people there, maximum. In union at the tackle breakdown you have 20 stone players driving into you with their shoulder LEGALLY trying to drive you off the ball. You have rucking which basically means legally ripping the skin off your body with the studs.

Rougher union, Tougher league.

Answer 2

Union, of course!

Answer 3

Union is harder especially if they adopt the new rules that are currently being tested in the Super 14.  The new rules speed up the game immeasureably and will eleminate players that are not as fit.

Answer 4

League is tougher as there is far fewer breaks in play. The players are almost constantly tackling or being tackled for the 80 mins. Union is by far the more skillfull sport though.

Answer 5

I dont believe the ruck is tougher in league thats stupid, they just throw the ball n and it comes straight out as for union they got to push the ruck and the ball stays in the ruck for much longer...

as for the toughest its a bit complicated coz union is slower than league but union has more contact that league..

my brothers played union most of there lives then done 1 year of league and they rekon league is a whole lot more faster....

I play touch n believe thats faster then league and union, constantly running back n forth....

Answer 6

theres more room for illegality in union i.e a sneaky punch in a ruck/maul that just doesnt happen in league. another thing that doesnt happen in league is raking in a ruck.ive got scars on my back to prove it! the collisions are generally bigger in league because you can just smash someone with your shoulder but in union you have to make an attempt to bind(although this often doesnt happen, and generally goes unpunished).scrums are the deciding factor in  making union a  more physical game-they are intensely physical

Answer 7

rugby league is tougher due to the extra collisions but trust me union is not for pansies either.

i've played both at reasonably decent levels & been bashed up playing both!

to anyone who says the other game is soft i will bet every penny i have(which is not much) that you have played neither game at any serious level.

Answer 8

League say that they are tougher because the tackles they make are harder, they need to be because there's no ruck and maul that gets formed and tackles are more like two on one wrestles.  

Also, there is a lot of short runs resulting in a tackle when in Union the ball would be kicked, because there is no incentive for the League players to kick before the 5th tackle unless there's an opening in attack down the other end.