Rugby World Cup

[USER1999]

Wales. Irritating.

 

[Dibby]

I'm sure there is, but take the case of international players. They are super fit, having done endless hours in the gym. They have removed the fat on their back to morph it into muscle. Their legs are like tree trunks.
But everything comes at a price. There is a high suicide and depression rate among players. So what causes this? One answer is sleep patterns. Heavy exercise may lead to plenty of sleep but it may not be quality sleep with good dream patterns.
All professional sports people should note this.

https://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/health-family/are-the-irish-rugby-team-too-fat-1.2987958

What does the article have to do with sleep patterns or depression and suicide? What are the rates of pro rugby players, compared to other sports and the general population? What's the conclusion in terms of cause? I'd imagine statistically more people die playing golf (due to demographics) than most other sports (maybe a few beat if like lawn bowls), but no one would think golf is a serious risk of death.

As a generalisation all elite sport is unhealthy, because it's about winning, and\or providing entertainment that people want to see, hence extremes in training, PEDs etc... Lower-level amateur sport is generally far more healthy.

As an aside, if you don't like rugby, easier just to ignore the threads about it. The thread is about rugby, not you and your sporting preferences.

 

[User62651]

Have to say Ireland looked awesome...
Whilst Scotland didn't...

Playing the long game, rope a dope, guerilla tactics.
Play at 20% when you don't need to win, appear feeble so create overconfidence in opposition for later...........then when it counts surprise with a shock result.


Reality- lose to Japan and quite possibly Samoa too..
However team is no worse than 4 years ago and they took finalists Ozzies very close in quarters so until we're out we're still in!

 

[stefanovic]

As a generalisation all elite sport is unhealthy,

Correct.

Lower-level amateur sport is generally far more healthy.

Correct.

As an aside, if you don't like rugby, easier just to ignore the threads about it. The thread is about rugby, not you and your sporting preferences.

If rugger is in your DNA you might want to play it, but it would be healthier if contact was reduced in the game.
As for the spectators, it's like a modern form of bear baiting.

 

[Deleted Member 1156]

Scotland didn't play badly. They had a couple of bad breaks (the ball bouncing off the post which resulted in a scrum 5 and subsequent try to Ireland) and Ireland defended superbly so the Scots just couldn't break them down.

 

[Dibby]

So Wales were always going to beat Georgia, but isn't it a bit dodgy that of all the refs that could be chosen for the game the organisers selected one born in Pontypool and who played for Wales Exiles as a junior? I don't think he would intentionally cheat, but why even put him in such a situation? Especially as some decisions in prior games have already been controversial.

 

[Robster59]

Correct.

Correct.

If rugger is in your DNA you might want to play it, but it would be healthier if contact was reduced in the game.
As for the spectators, it's like a modern form of bear baiting.

Well once more you make sweeping statements on something you really know nothing about. It must be comforting to be so definite about something, no matter how wrong you are. Your suppositions are based on your personal dislikes with little reference to facts.
Most rugby fans enjoy the skills of the game. The speed, the passing, the moves, the skills of the individual players. Hard hits are appreciated but they're not the be-all and end-all for most fans.
I'm primarily a Rugby League fan but can appreciate the skills in both codes and have played in both.
Both codes are a lot cleaner now than they were 10-20 years ago as rules have changed to protect the players and penalties for those offending are higher.
There is undoubtly a concern about players getting too big now, both for their own safety and that of their opponents. I think this is more of an issue in Union than League.
However, the players are incredibly fit and the props in Rugby League are a totally different build to those in Union as the way they play is different.
You don't have to be big to play the game. Rob Burrow who retired last year after playing 16 years in the game, made nearly 500 appearances for Leeds Rhinos and 20 international appearances was 1.65m (5'5") tall. In fact, in Rugby League, the small, fiery, scrum half is an integral part of team.

Other facets of the game compared to, e.g. Football, are:

• The players respect the officials and don't answer back, or if they do they're penalised.
• If they get hurt, they brush it off and don't lie around on the floor as if someone has shot them.
• No matter how hard the game is, at the end of it the players shake hands and have a drink together afterwards.
• At the junior level, there is a lot less contact than there was when I started (we practiced tackling on the concrete playground)
• Opposing spectators sit together in the stands. At the Rugby Leage Magic Weekend you have 12 groups of fans mingling together with no issues.

 

[Deleted member 1147]

As for the spectators, it's like a modern form of bear baiting.

What a load of crap!

 

[stefanovic]

I'm primarily a Rugby League fan but can appreciate the skills in both codes and have played in both.

I think League is better to watch because it's faster, less stop start and the players less bulky.

No matter how hard the game is, at the end of it the players shake hands and have a drink together afterwards.

The sort of comments I used to hear from the rugger fraternity always used to compare football as a mindless game where players and fans have fewer brain cells than an insect.
There again, football has less of a drinking culture. Even if there is some inane chanting I've never heard anything to compare to the rude rugby songs.

 

[GB72]

I think League is better to watch because it's faster, less stop start and the players less bulky.


The sort of comments I used to hear from the rugger fraternity always used to compare football as a mindless game where players and fans have fewer brain cells than an insect.
There again, football has less of a drinking culture. Even if there is some inane chanting I've never heard anything to compare to the rude rugby songs.

Even that is disappearing. Rugby clubs near me are now very family oriented with all sorts of events to attract wives, children, husband's etc up to the club. In fact far more inviting and family friendly than many golf clubs I know

 

[USER1999]

I think League is better to watch because it's faster, less stop start and the players less bulky.
.

it's funny, as I see league as the opposite. Every player on the pitch has a similar build, as there aren't really any specialist positions that require a particular build. As a result, you never get any mismatches on the field, leading to breaks.
It's just muscly bloke runs at muscly bloke, rinse repeat.

 

[Deleted member 18588]

Correct.

Correct.

If rugger is in your DNA you might want to play it, but it would be healthier if contact was reduced in the game.
As for the spectators, it's like a modern form of bear baiting.

This is a thread about the Rugby World Cup and, as I have very little interest in the game, I have only skimmed through it.

However, despite my low interest I can appreciate that the players represent the elite of their sport both in terms of fitness and skills.

Your disparaging comments, therefore, are unnecessary and ill informed. (Rather like your misinformation on the treatment of women golfers at certain Clubs in the Midlands).

Why not just ignore the Tournament and keep your silly sniping to yourself?

 

[stefanovic]

Why not just ignore the Tournament and keep your silly sniping to yourself?

Wish I could, but I'd need to go and live on the metaphorical desert island.
I'm also getting fed up of other world cups. Their days are limited. Let's start to examine the carbon footprint of these global competitions.

 

[Deleted member 18588]

Wish I could, but I'd need to go and live on the metaphorical desert island.
I'm also getting fed up of other world cups. Their days are limited. Let's start to examine the carbon footprint of these global competitions.

WUM Alert!!

 

[Deleted member 1147]

Wish I could, but I'd need to go and live on the metaphorical desert island.
I'm also getting fed up of other world cups. Their days are limited. Let's start to examine the carbon footprint of these global competitions.

No, let's just watch & enjoy the sport

 

[Bunkermagnet]

Wish I could, but I'd need to go and live on the metaphorical desert island.
I'm also getting fed up of other world cups. Their days are limited. Let's start to examine the carbon footprint of these global competitions.

You really must be a happy soul to be around.
If you are so concerned about carbon footprints, why are you posting on an electricity dependant forum, why not scribble your concerns on a cave wall in chalk?

 

[USER1999]

You really must be a happy soul to be around.
If you are so concerned about carbon footprints, why are you posting on an electricity dependant forum, why not scribble your concerns on a cave wall in chalk?

Walls have feelings too you know.

 

[Bunkermagnet]

Walls have feelings too you know.

Possibly

 

[Deleted member 16999]

Walls have feelings too you know.

And sausages.

 

[stefanovic]

If you are so concerned about carbon footprints, why are you posting on an electricity dependant forum, why not scribble your concerns on a cave wall in chalk?

As James Lovelock supports internet use, that's good enough for me.
On a day I read about the danger the oceans might bring and the collapsing Mont Blanc glacier, and the rich nations do next to nothing about climate change. Who cares about the likes of Fiji, Samoa and Tonga. Their players already go overseas if they can.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-49741856