Slammin Sam

[Milkfloat]

I'm old enough to remember this. It's a bit unfair to compare performances. In 96 RU had only had a year of professionalism and it showed up against a really great RL side in Wigan. I suspect it would be quite a different match up these days as top RU clubs have learned all those hard RL lessons on defensive alignment, running lines etc

Indeed St Helens and Sale did the same years later - Sale won, albeit it was closer.

 

[david k]

I'm old enough to remember this. It's a bit unfair to compare performances. In 96 RU had only had a year of professionalism and it showed up against a really great RL side in Wigan. I suspect it would be quite a different match up these days as top RU clubs have learned all those hard RL lessons on defensive alignment, running lines etc

I think you are right it would be a lot different but rugby league has changed again since those days, so much speed in the sets I think anyone who didn't play regular league would find it impossible to keep up, as said before the games are quite different so it's not a fair reflection on Union to say the match would turn out about the same in my opinion

 

[david k]

Indeed St Helens and Sale did the same years later - Sale won, albeit it was closer.

If I remember correctly To my Martin missed a kick under the sticks which would have meant a draw as an aggregate score, saints thrashed them at league and the other way round n Union, we didn't learn much and it's not been repeated since

 

[david k]

As an aside, Hockey, Netball and of course Rugby Union have far higher participation numbers than Rugby League. RL numbers seem to be in a decline too.

Sorry didn't realise there was a link, I think it may be outdated though, this link shows a much healthier position

http://www.therfl.co.uk/the-rfl/about_the_rfl

 

[DRM]

Anyone remember when Bradford Bulls played and lost to St Helens on a Friday night, then travelled to Twickenham to take part in the sevens, their coach brokedown and they got to the hotel at 4am, played the sevens and ran rings round all the top union sides and the army.

 

[Aperitif]

Some comment on the treatment of Sam Burgess is here. Stating the obvious? I could see Ian Ritchie and the Bufferocracy getting along with Eddie Jones et al like a house on fire...

 

[rich p]

their coach brokedown

Was he overcome with emotion?

 

[Dayvo]

Was he overcome with emotion?

No, he was fuming.

 

[rich p]

No, he was fuming.

Exhausted?

 

[Dayvo]

Exhausted?

Deflated, due to accu puncture.