No comparison

[revie-era]

I was privileged to be at Old Trafford on Saturday to witness Leeds Rhinos latest Grand Final triumph in a game full of passion, aggression, skill and courage. Rhino's inspirational captain Kevin Sinfield recieved 2 major injuries, - the 2nd a sickening head injury that temporarily knocked him out. Warrington's Paul Wood also revieved a serious injury that would make our eyes water. If Drogba, Suarez and the rest of the Premiership prima dona's had recieved similar injuries they would never have recovered for a week once they had finished rolling around.
Contrast Sinfield's conduct with that of the ridiculous Gareth Bale and the afore mentioned pathetic Suarez who both once again brought shame to football yesterday by their attempts to win free kicks by diving; (no - ill use the correct word - cheating).
I heard part of an interview this morning on 5 Live, - one of those interviewd was the Rhino's head coach Brian McDermott who spoke with common sense and great dignity about his Team and the great sport of Rugby. To those of you who think there is only one sport in this country, - think again. If non of you have ever attended a game of Rugby League (or Union), I would urge you to do so. This is sport at its most competitive, brutal yet honest. These guys put their bodies on the line every game.
Another item discussed was the tweet by Cashley Coles, another footballer of some repute and apparently Englands finest left back. This is crucial because the FA have him bang to rights, but as we know, they'll bottle it, fine Cashley a princely sum that won't make a dent in his long pockets and away he goes grinning from ear to ear. He needs banning, as does Bale and Suarez. Sorry, but cant stand 'em.
I have been fortunate to be involved in coaching Youth football for over 20 years, occasionally at a good standard, yet it is Rugby's core values that I instill in the players that cross my path, - Teamwork, Respect, Enjoyment, Discipline, Sportsmanship.
Kevin Sinfield is without doubt the finest captain of any club team in this country yet hardly gets a mention on TV or national press. Instead its the likes of John (JT) Terry, the Ferdinad twins, Cashley, Suarez and the rest of 'em that get the press.
Pathetic.

[barryanorak]

Great post.

Can't fault a single word.

[lufc1304]

Great post.

Can't fault a single word.

+ 1

The RL (and Union) guys spend the entire match literally smashing the sh*t out of each other, then shake hands at the end and go for a few scoops together (well they did, maybe they're too pro for that now!). They can do this because of one big difference between the rugby codes and football, respect. Something which modern-era footballers would struggle to spell, never mind understand and apply

Crackin post revie

[becchio bear]

+ 1

The RL (and Union) guys spend the entire match literally smashing the sh*t out of each other, then shake hands at the end and go for a few scoops together (well they did, maybe they're too pro for that now!). They can do this because of one big difference between the rugby codes and football, respect. Something which modern-era footballers would struggle to spell, never mind understand and apply

Crackin post revie

+2

[Brader]

Am i right in thinking a player ruptured a testicle in the 1st minute of the second half - but didnt tell anyone and played the whole match? I often think about other contact sports, rugby/american football/ice hockey - Granted they are all ALOT more physical however its interesting to see how less contact involves more drama and play acting.

[YorkshireSquare]

I think the avaerage wage of £30,000 - £60,000 per year as opposed to £30,000 - £60,000 per week has something to do with it though.

In Rugby League by most players have to work after they finish the game, they simply dont earn enough not to. I know teams like Leeds Rhinos make sure their young players do well at school, many of the recent crop of young players have completed their A levels. Also a lot of the senior players at Leeds are doing degrees at Leeds Met in things like sports science etc.

The Bradford Bulls situation brought the fragility of a career in the sport to a few of their players and a couple have retired from the sport and pursued other careers, one in mining. If you are one of the top players in the sport you make a decent wage, a decent wage not a stupid wage. Average wages are higher than some might hope for in other jobs had they not been good at rugby but it's a relatively short career.

Modern footballers are spoilt. But on big money at 18, they have it made for them, they think they are invincible. "So what someone fines me, it's not even a weeks wages." It's no wonder they have no respect.

[YorkshireSquare]

Am i right in thinking a player ruptured a testicle in the 1st minute of the second half - but didnt tell anyone and played the whole match? I often think about other contact sports, rugby/american football/ice hockey - Granted they are all ALOT more physical however its interesting to see how less contact involves more drama and play acting.

Yeah that was Paul Wood and his "..serious injury that would make our eyes water".

[Martyn]

Footballers could also take a close look at what professional tennis players go through. Last season we had a team that couldn't play 2 90 minute games in a week, yet the top professionals will play 3 and 4 hour games several times a week in major tournaments - and they're in the spotlight for all of it, no team mates to hide behind.

[Wolfetoneleeds]

This is why I am peeved off with footballers now a days!!!?
Like guildford said....
I think about my job... What I have to do for a few quid!!!
And these prima donnas likes of Rooney and most of footballers!! They won't get our of bed for less than 100,000 a week... C'MON!!!!!!
And the way they act on the pitch when abit of contact is made!!!!!
Not bein sexist but this is supposed to be a mans sport!!!!
And they act like girls blouses!!!
But the FIFA and fa and so on are to blame fit given fouls and cards left right and center!!!!
Bring back tackling... The odd fight on the pitch it's what makes it in my opinion !!!
Makes my blood boil when you watch it!!!

[drsdadsotherson]

Brutal yet honest... Yep, no bloodpacks here. No failing to roll away, no lying on the floor with your arms in the air claiming you're not in the way when you clearly are. No props feigning injury to stop a game and allow a centre to recieve treatment. No placing the ball as far as possible from the kicker at penalties or blocking lines. Brutal yet honest indeed.

Petty cheating behaviour is found in both sports, VERY MUCH more so in football for sure, but it still exists and raises it's ugly head in rugby as well. There most certainly is a comparison and football loses badly, but the game of rugby is not populated by saints either.

[white.riot]

And yet the +1s love Diouf

[Wolfetoneleeds]

And yet the +1s love Diouf

it's because its the game now... Not that I am saying I an for it though.... Tbh I don't think he has been bad for us with the diving and playing up!!

[weasel]

Am i right in thinking a player ruptured a testicle in the 1st minute of the second half

It is a game played with odd shaped balls....

[white.riot]

Footballers could also take a close look at what professional tennis players go through. Last season we had a team that couldn't play 2 90 minute games in a week, yet the top professionals will play 3 and 4 hour games several times a week in major tournaments - and they're in the spotlight for all of it, no team mates to hide behind.

Contact v non contact sport is a poor comparison. Even McEnrroe didn't kick his opponents all over the court.

[Martyn]

Contact v non contact sport is a poor comparison. Even McEnrroe didn't kick his opponents all over the court.

Beg to differ. Yes tennis is non-contact, but the level of fitness that a Murray / Nadal / Federer / Djokovic displays compared to the average footballer - let alone one like Snoddy who was knackered during the warm-up - is outstanding.

Not a fan of tennis myself, but they shame highly paid footballers.

[joluafc4eva]

Football is made to be a non-contact sport these days - any contact at all and the ref immediately blows the whistle. Its all too easy for the players to cheat.

[theleedsmango]

We'll have this discussion many times in the future because I don't see it changing any time soon.

Only two months ago, the whole nation was on about how proud we were of Farrah, Ennis, Hoy, Wiggins, etc and how they put all footballers to shame with their passion, ambition and integrity. Two months later, the media is running pages after pages about footballers behaviours whilst those some of those athletes get whored out to tv programmes for a ratings boost.

The nation, for some odd reason, are fascinated my scandal and drama of celebrities personal lives, and love discussing their opinions on these stories, moreso than discuss the game. Can't see that improving any time soon.

[1964white]

Cracking post Revie & i wholeheartedly echo your thoughts...always said football can learn alot from rugby league.

Sinfield deserves a knighthood

[Gino 1959]

One of the best posts ever, RE. I was introduced to RL as a cousin of mine played for Saints and I always followed in on TV thereafter - picking Leeds, of course.

Bradley Wiggins reckons it is the toughest sport bar none and that is saying something! They spoke about the tackles being the equivalent of 40mph head-on car crashes, which is mind-boggling.

Plus - the whole respect thing - certainly towards the officials - has to be admired.

I would just love it if TV had the b@lls to show Bale and Suarez replays of their pathetic attempts at cheating and say ok, lads, care to explain those?

[snozzle]

They should give him a testemonial!