Why are Rugby League players considered to be fitter than their Union counterparts?

Question

Why are Rugby League players considered to be fitter than their Union counterparts?

Answer 1

No UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championships) is a man's game.  They are both good sports played with similar yet slightly different rules.  League folks are always mad because worldwide people seem to just like Union better.  I like both, but prefer Union myself.

Answer 2

its a more phsical contact sport and they spend more time with the ball in hand .

Answer 3

I don't think they are... where did you hear that?

Answer 4

Because generally they are - Union has always been the sport of the privileged class - played by private schools as a part-time pastime and for a long time at a non-professional level. League on the other hand was the "poor man's rugby" anyone with skill could make the grade. Players were paid match payments, and it wasn't just something you did Saturday afternoon, you could make a living just playing.  Sad thing is.... in the arena of public speaking, league tends to leave their legacy on the field, whereas most rugby players rarely get caught with "foot in mouth"

Answer 5

i've noticed that throughout the year. league players are more fitter than union players. the union game is stopped every few minutes whereas league is continual. and they have 6 plays which gets them around alot. and don't waste their time kicking from 1 end of the field to another.

Answer 6

fosko3290 has it right, no real breakdown, so more running involved, but that dosnt mean that they are "fitter", bc fitness also has to do with strength, which i would not be suprised if union players had more of

Answer 7

Because during the course of a single game league players will have almost 50% more amount of ball carry's, run further, make more tackles etc. than their union counterparts. That is why league front rowers are around 100-110kg these days and union props can be 125kg+. The breakaways and scrum half in union are the only players who would have to be as fit as league players.

Answer 8

Because League is a mans game

Union is slow and boring the game stops every few minutes were league is always moving at a fast pace requiring players to remain in a fit condition

Answer 9

Because league is less physical you do more running whereas in union you drive, clear, pick and drive again.

Answer 10

Union is a much more physical sport than League but because there are no rucks or mauls there is far less time for recovery during the match so therefore the players have to be fitter.