Why is rugby league not as big as union in New Zealand?

Question

The All Blacks are undisputed No1 in the 15 man game and have just beaten Fiji 9comprehensively ) in the 7 a side game, Why are they not as much of a force in 13 man rugby?

Answer 1

In addition to 'roadtrip's' answer which is 1 of my personal favourites the code of rugby union has been the traditional game of New Zealand since the late 1800's.  

In the early 1900's when union was being played throughout  NZ, and the New Zealand Rugby Football Union had been in office since 1892, rugby league did try to get its foot in the door but pressure was put on those trying to push the code as well as sponsors, officials & ground-owners to not assist with this movement by the NZRU.

Don't forget union was the english gentlemen's game and therefore initially played by the elite of society and these were the very people, the 'big boys', that were backing the code.

Altho rugby league has managed to grow in NZ  the All Blacks have over the past 100 years set themselves apart from any other sporting team in the history of mankind.  They have a success rate of over 80% which is unparalleled and no other team can instill or invoke as much national pride in NZ (or on ocassion misery :) as the All Blacks ~ it is something legends are made of and the players are regarded as such!

Rugby union has a comprehensive junior development rugby programme that reaches into the schools, clubs & provinces and moulds keen & potential players into the international stars you see today.

Rugby league in NZ has not achieved either the success level that union has nor does it have a development programme of the same intensity as union.

Answer 2

After playing union even at a very low level, I can't imagine enjoying a league rule game, with play pausing etc.  Personal opinion aside Union was obviously "first" and League is the result of the split 100 years or so ago.  

Union was well entrenched by 1908 or 1909 when the league rules were introduced to NZ and received much opposition as the union had influence with politicians and business.  Union was already a huge part of NZ society.  Despite the resistance the NZ Rugby League apparently met with some serious success and influenced league rugby internationaly by WW2.

Since then it has not been as popular or successful but has been showing growth in recent years, even going on to beat Australia at the 2005 Tri-Nations.

I suggest checking a couple of sites where I see some more in-depth history and opinions, so rather than regurgitate the info - these seem to have the desired information.

Thesis on the war between Union and Legue in NZ

http://masseynews.massey.ac.nz/2005/Pres...

Wikipedia info on history of League in NZ

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rugby_Leagu...

Answer 3

league rugby is a girls game so why should they or anyone else bother their **** to be good at it.

Answer 4

Let me see.... Union has scrums. League has kissy little things called scrums but no one pushes.

Tackles. What the h**l is this hand the ball over rubbish in league? The union version of 'come and take it if you can' is a lot more interesting.

Rugby Union is also the original game and if nothing else it's preferred because it's always harder for the newer game to get the same popularity.

No bloody wonder the Kiwi's prefer union. It's a better game.

I'm pleased to say that Scotland doesn't bother with league in the slightest, even if we're not great at union either at the moment! At least getting beaten by the Kiwis means you've been beaten by a decent team... unlike losing to Italy. We were shamefully shite on that day.

Loved it when England ignored the Haka... and got a pasting. Proof that the English didn't know what they were seeing and the proper response to it.

Answer 5

I saw a documentary once on Graham Hendry, it showed him going around schools in NZ, they learn the Hakka as young as three and are encouraged to play the union code from a very young age.  Those that are  good, but not good enough to play union, switch to league code or find another sport.

I got the impression, union is taught as the supreme sport out there from an early age!

Answer 6

because league is shite

Answer 7

because union is the proper rugby code

Answer 8

because it is a team made up of south sea islanders.proper kiwis ply their trade in Australia & great britain in league, also the money in yawnian,is better.

Answer 9

Because farmers traditionally supplied most of the players, and they didn't have time for the professional game.