My name is Stuart Robertson. I am a life long supporter of professional rugby league team, the Warrington Wolves. My dad took me to my first game of rugby league at Wilderspool when I was four years old, against the wishes of my mum most certainly.
I have been hooked on the sport ever since bordering on obsession. It is, without doubt in my opinion, the greatest game of all. Here are my reasons, in no particular order, why this is the case.
1) ITS RUGBY THE WAY IT SHOULD BE PLAYED
Now, before I begin, I have a confession to make. I am a rugby league fan who bares no grudge against the other code. Indeed, I have often found myself enjoying rugby union games and for my sins I used to play the game myself. I was a flanker (forgive me father...). It is a very good sport.
However, if I do have one axe to grind with the sport it is that it could be slightly better. There are times when I find myself getting frustrated by the sport.
For example, the scrum, the lineout and the endless amount of kicking to touch which commentators justify by saying the offending team is "playing the percentages" or "kicking for territory". This might be the case but it does lead to a rather frustrating couple of minutes where not a great deal happens. It's all a bit slow. It invariably leads to a period of about five minutes where the paying spectator cannot see the ball and the formulaic lineout = maul = maul collapses = scrum, unfolds.
In rugby league, fans can see the ball. And the lack of line outs, mauls and huge scrums (which can sometimes take 5 minutes to perfect) mean that more time can be spent on what rugby is about. Flowing passing, massive hits and trys. Lots of trys. In my opinion it is the way rugby should be.
2) THE FANS
This is a point that cannot be stressed enough.
Now, rugby League fans are not perfect. I am not a subscriber to the "family game" image that sections of the media and the RFL wish to project. This is not because I believe families have no place in our game. Of course they do, to suggest otherwise would be insane. It is simply because I think every sport is a family game. Even football. I went to many football matches as a kid. I went to many rugby league matches as a kid. There was very little difference.
However, one aspect of family game is very true I think. That rugby league IS a family. Whenever one of the rugby league fraternity is in need, the sports community rallies around them. For evidence of this, look no further than Steve Prescott, or, in more tragic circumstances, players like Leon Walker and Adam Watene (RIP)
Also, that rugby league fans can share space without trying to rip eachothers heads off. Events like the magic weekend, which for all their critics, I have enjoyed immensely, show that fans of all clubs can set aside their differences and come together for these festivals of the sport. When the good of the sport is in question, rugby league fans usually deliver.
3) THE PLAYERS
Lets get one thing straight, rugby league players are not superstars. And thank christ for that.
They're actually normal people. You can go over and talk to them in your local pub and they often make time to talk to the fans. I can only speak from my own experience but at the Wire, the players usually come over to the fans at the end of the game and thank them for their support. Properly, not just the couple of quick claps and then off that you get at premier league matches.
In short, they're not prima donnas. They're quite an honest bunch as well. Diving is not a real problem in the sport. It can be seen sometimes, wearing the guise of "milking a penalty", but it is not rife. The day a rugby league player ever feigns injury, for instance, will be a sad day for the sport.
They are good role models also. They show respect for the official on the field and the idea that what happens on the field stays on the field is admirable.
4) THE OFFICIALS
Oh my God. I am actually praising Rugby League referees.
Now they may not be perfect. They may make mistakes (show me someone who doesn't) and in the heat of the moment some of us, this blogger included, may have vented our frustrations with their decisions in quite a robust manner. But without them, there is no game. And also, they are a strong bunch.
For a rugby league referee would not put up with half of the rubbish a football referee has to put up with. Football refs moan about a lack of respect shown by players towards them but there are times when I find myself thinking "GROW A PAIR" whilst watching it on tv. Football refs need to figure out what rugby league refs did a long time ago. They don't have to put up with it. They have cards and a whistle, and they rule. Rugby League refs use them effectively.
5) A SPORT THAT TAKES RISKS RATHER THAN AVOIDS THEM
As a sport, rugby league has always looked forward. The RFL have come up with innovative ideas that have met with varying degrees of success. But at least they are making an attempt.
There are many examples of rugby league being ahead of other British sports. Our use of video technology to ensure greater accuracy in crucial decisions being one. Why football still has its head in the sand, I'll never know. Wire coach Tony Smith is against it also. Now I think Tony Smith is God for what he has done for us in the last couple of years but that is one thing I cannot agree with him over.
Other innovative ideas involve Super League and the move to summer. Anyone who thinks that was a bad move should have a word with themselves.
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