I stumbled across this great [url=http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/league-wins-the-running-battle-of-the-rugby-codes/League vs Union article[/urlwhile reading an article on the ashes

Well worth a read IMHO

Very biased article, but the tackle stats amused me


AUS ------------ NZ
65 TACKLES MADE 78
157 Attempted 140
20 Ineffective 11
22 Missed 31

Is it really that biased though? (It is a bit tonge-in-cheek and poking fun at Union but that's not exactly the same thing)

It's focusing on two specific matches and comparing and contrasting what was seen. It's hard to argue that there's not too much kicking in Union these days.

Was discussing Union with a duel-code fan at the Crusaders game and we both agreed that in terms of quality of play international Union seems to have gone backwards over the last few years (although the teams have become closer matched)

On the stats also notable:

72 RUNS 85
473m Metres Gained 548m

An interesting read indeed sir.

An outstanding piece of Australian Journalism..... Which is rare

Union is a kickfest according to the article. Judging by the number of empty seats supporters must enjoy kickfests then.

You've got to hand it to the Union marketing men they could sell ice to an Eskimo that lot.

I watched a BBC advert for this saturdays final, it stated in league the ball is in play for 90% of the time, i'd have thought union is near to half of that.

What was the claim about distance travelled.... it sounded pathetic.

I didn't quite catch it but it didn't sound much, something like 2 Kilometres.

[i"There is the AFL, which admittedly is not much of a game, more a sort of rolling riot at a children’s party over the last piece of cake. "[/i

This (as a parent who has attempted to control numerous birthday parties for the under 7's) was particularly amusing - and accurate.

That's what I thought.

A quick tot up on the OPTA stats show

Total metres made: 454,714

Divide by 14 teams then divide by 25 Rounds = 1299 metres per team per game.

So I guess that makes it 2.6 Kilometres worth of hard yards per match.

Still doesn't sound that impressive somehow.

In reality all that driving ball in hand is followed by a lengthy kick at the completion of most sets which is missing from the distance calculation.

I wonder what simon jones, at the times newspaper would make of this?

Simon Jones is the much missed busted up cricketer, you mean Stephen Jones the much detested & reviled RU correspondent of the Times.

That's the knob i was thinking of,cheers

You're welcome, as ever the stickler for the facts me.
Aka Pain in the & know-it-all.

THe argument has been raging for years Click -------> [urlhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Reverend_marshall.jpg[/url