General Rugby Discussion 3

No from a throw in. Even fans don't understand this stuff.😋

Hmmm. You can't be offside from a throw in anywhere on the pitch, not just the 6 yard box.

Well Japan feels novel at least.

I'm sure other matches will be good on the day but I'm sick to death of the fake sense of importance drummed up for these now constant "test games".

Exactly! Arcane, complicated, contradictory rules that accrue to make the game more compteitive/enjoyable to watch but in isolation are non sensical. Boils down to Podge's point above, other sports don't prostrate themselves and apologise for the rules, and don't tweak the rules to appeal to people who don't watch the sport.

Thats ultimately why all the changes are neccessary. As CatInABox outlined, if revenue isn't growing (which is the aim of changing the laws of the game to attract more fans) then the only other option is to reduce costs. And that will also involve significant changes to the game.

But either way changes are going to have to happen, because the game is struggling hugely financially in too many of its already very limited number of countries.

I find the razzle dazzle to be a pain in the arse but seen in the context of improving the game day experience, particularly for families, kids and girls, it's a good thing. Some of it works and some of it faceplants but overall the more attractive the experience the more appealing it is and the more value is there for punters. It's a very entertaining sport and it needs to appeal beyond young lads and aul lads whose playing days are over. The risk of commercialisation is more acute when venture capital enters the picture honestly, that feels like borrowing money for current account spending that will ultimately be funded by mergers, acquisitions, paywalls and asset stripping.

You could say the same about seating and covered stands.

The flamethrowers etc, the "razzle dazzle", is generally some of the most posted social media from games on instagram and tiktok. Which would suggest its a huge hit with younger generations.

The salaries, while clearly unsustainably high for the income coming in, for most players also aren't even that high as far as salaries go - these are nowhere near football levels. And bear in mind these are average figures, so inflated by the elite / high earners. Most players aren't on a huge amount more than players would expect to be earning as successful solicitors, accountants, IT/finance professionals etc.

Which is why revenues need to rise - professional rugby is a very demanding, physically destructive, and short duration career. Its not possible to pay someone 50k a year and expect them to do it.

Full backs being paid more than scrum halves ???

Strange value proposition.

Imo the thing that makes rugby union amenable to expansion is the same thing it's often criticised for ; 'Rugby values'

If Rugby is identified as a sport that instills & maintains values that people favour then the game will spread. I don't believe it will ever reach the levels of popularity that basketball, soccer or fishing have & no amount of showbiz will change that. However I understand that all leisure time activities are essentially in competition with each other & anything that initially attracts audience & builds participation shouldn't be ignored.

Thats just what an accountant would say.

People can start careers at 30 and above. Not many get the opportunity to attempt to be a professional rugby player.

La Rochelle lost last weekend to Racing 92. It was the lattere first victory in almost 3 months. That's now five defeats in a row for La Rochelle. and their last victory was a three point squeaker against a Toulouse B team.

Post-match ROG was talking about his squad not playing for him and players not listening to his messages. I doubt we'll see a sacking or anything like that. He's done too much good there for that. Could potentially see him leaving on the summer if things don't turn around though.

His dad is English & his mum is Welsh.

I'm not a huge fan of the 20 minute red card but there's a strong argument that it saved our arses on Saturday.