What are the physical differences between Rugby Union & Rugby League players?

Question

I've always thought Rugby Union players were bigger and heavier, League players were faster and more explosive. Given the different demands in the game, would you agree the Rugby Union players are hevier and stronger, but Leagies have more power and are faster and hit harder ?

Is League more explosive than Union, and Union more continuous ?

Answer 1

League players are faster but overall smaller. However their size does not mean they are inferior athletes. I have coached both codes. League players are fit, very very fit. Their game never stops. They are aerobically superior to rugby players, they are like lean throughbred horses. They are mentally tough and used to head knocks. In boxing circles they would be said to not have a glass jaw. Rugby players on the other hand are bigger and probably player for player stronger. They are also finely tuned athletes and becoming more and more like their leagues cousins each season. Too close to call however if I had to the league players have the edge just but only for another year or 2. Recent successful converts both ways are testimony to my opinion.

Answer 2

Well the above answers are definetly correct.

In Union, yes the players are stronger and heavier, which helps contest, in scrums, mauls, rucks and lineouts.

League players, while they may be smaller, the hits in league are alot harder, the constant defending and moving up makes them alot fitter and the game play is much more exciting.

Having played both codes for many years, I find league alot harder as the defence can be so perfect at times and teams will miss under 10 tackles over an 80 minute period. Teams attack can be so fluent and timed perfectly that it seems impossible to stop them at times. Which yes make it more explosive, although not continuous due to so many stoppages.

Union on the other hand, is a tough sport, especially for the forwards, constantly defending in the middle, mauling and rucking players and then having to get on side everytime the ball is kicked can be psyichally and mentally exhausting. And with the continued flow of play with less stoppages, makes Union yes a much more continuous, free flowing game.

Answer 3

in my opinion, from watching the sport for many years, i would say that union players do tend to be bigger and heavier than most league players but there are still a lot of big league players. i would also agree with you that league players do tend to be much faster and more explosive because in rugby league its much more continuous than union as they keep on stopping for scrums, etc. but i would also say that it union is still a fast game.

i dont think that you can really compare rugby union players to rugby league players because they are different sports therefore they need different body types. you just need to look at the players who have switched codes and were successful in one code and not the other, which tells you that they are different sports and that they need different body types, but with the exceptions of a few who have became successful in both codes, e.g, Henry Paul.

Answer 4

All u have to do is look at the converts from League to Union...just can't cut it.

Answer 5

I wouldn't say that union players have less stamina, especially the forwards who follow the ball around for 80 minutes.

You are correct in your assessment on how the game is played.  Union caters for all body weight, sizes and speed. Union back line players are just as explosive as a league.

Soon the two codes will develop a hybrid game probably called Rugby then we will be comparing them to ALF players.

Answer 6

Union - has rucks, mauls and contested scrums. The players are bigger, heavier and stronger. Play tends to be broken more and as a result requires less stamina as natural breaks allow for a certain amount of recovery.

League - has no rucks or mauls and scrums are not contested. Players are often smaller, quicker and incredibly fit due to the continuous flowing nature of the game.

Hits are about the same. Probably bigger in union due to the sheer size of them.

Of course there are exceptions. Lesley Vainkolo was a league player but he is as unfit and as slow as it gets.

Answer 7

If you understand both games well or have had the opportunity to play both games, you soon notice the difference. Both forms of the game are equally explosive in different ways.

Because of the continuous movement in league, players that are tired tend to miss tackles which is the reason why there are often more line breaks in Rugby league. The fittest teams physically and mentally tend to dominate competitions. This is why over the last twenty or so years there has been a stream-lining of player physiques in the game as teams have opted to go for atheletes that can last longer in a game. You'll notice that most of the bodies do not vary too much across the park regardless of their playing position, with the exception of some Props and ball players There are less giant forwards in the shape of a Glen Lazarus or Mark Tookey coming through the grades these days. Most players can fill a number of positions. Steve Menzies of Manly for example who is primarily a second rower has also played wing, centre, and standoff over the years.

However, the complete opposite is to be said of Union. In this game players bodies usually reflect the position that they are playing as rugby has always specialised it's positions. Therefore, props are burly and powerful for scrums and rucks, locks are tall for line outs, loosies are athletic for getting around the park, and Backs are lean and fast (with the exception of some inside backs and one giant wing called Jonah). The style of game dictates this as the set piece is so influential in the outcome  of this form of the game. There is a lot of explosiveness in the ruck and tackle area, but it is in such close and tight quarters that it does not look as spectacular as some of the collisions in league because the momentum leading up to them is shorter. But if your in there you definitely feel the power.

I assume that if you pitted the strongest and fastest atheletes of both codes against one another in speed and strength contests you'd find some pretty similar results. The area where you might see some marked difference is if you measured their aerobic capacity which is where i think that league may have an advantage because of the constant movement in the game and the generic body shape.

However, in saying all this despite the physical diferences of the athletes, the biggest factor in the explosiveness of the game probably has more to do with the style of the game than those playing it. League is a faster flowing game with less set pieces and more continuity of play, and union is a more tactical contest with an emphasis on set piece play which means more stoppages and breaks.

Although the ELV'S could change this.