Many people often say that rugby is better than football. While this may be up for debate, rugby, and football are undeniably two of the most popular sports worldwide..
Rugby and football are highly known sports that provide excitement and action and numerous active and determined fans.
However, many believe rugby is the best sport among the two for several reasons.
In this article, we’ll explore the 10 reasons why rugby might be better than football.
What is Rugby?
Rugby is a team sport; two teams usually try to outscore the other team, aided by an oval-shaped ball, by carrying, passing, and kicking.
It is a very physical game in which players tackle each other to their ground to gain possession of the ball.
It requires speed, strength, and teamwork, with players constantly moving to get ahead of their opponents.
Rugby is a fast-paced game of continuous play, either making it more exciting to watch or to play.
This doesn’t stop after every play, like in football; it is one fluid motion.
History of Rugby
Rugby as a sport emanates from the 19th century in England.
The legend has it that during a soccer game, a schoolboy named William Webb Ellis picked up the ball and ran with it.
That was an infringement of rules which was destined to become known as rugby.
It would go on to take two predominant forms in its split: Rugby Union and Rugby League.
Today, rugby is played worldwide, with major tournaments like the Rugby World Cup attracting millions of viewers.
Rugby versus Football
Such is the difference when it comes to rugby versus football.
Football, basically American football, is specified by players wearing helmets and pads. The game is also divided into short plays.
In rugby, players do not wear such heavy protective gear; rather, they depend more on their skills and techniques.
Rugby is more oriented toward continuous playing, while football involves more stop-and-go motions.
In rugby, players are all involved in both offense and defense, making it a more encompassing sport.
In football, players usually play just one role, which is often either offense or defense.
Top 10 Reasons Why Rugby Itself is Superior to Football
1. Continuous Action
In rugby, the game never seemingly stops.
Once it is in play, it stops only when there is a penalty, a team scores, or the ball goes out of bounds.
This keeps the action going and makes the game so exciting.
Football has a stoppage of play after every play, and this quantity of stopping certainly slows the pace of the game.
Rugby is continuous, hence keeping players and fans involved.
2. No Pads or Helmets
The rugby players do not wear any pads or helmets.
Instead, they rely on good techniques and physical fitness to cushion them from any kind of injury.
The game’s absence of heavy protective gear gives it a raw, natural feel.
That padding in football can sometimes give players a feeling of invincibility and result in more complex, more dangerous hits.
In rugby, men are taught to tackle safely and in control, minimizing serious injury.
3. All players both Play Offense and Defense.
Football players have specialized roles: some play only on offense, while others play only on defense.
In rugby, everybody’s got to be able to play both offense and defence.
They need to tackle, pass, kick, and carry the ball.
This makes rugby players more versatile and well-rounded athletes: They need to be good at every moment in the game, making rugby both more challenging and rewarding.
4. Less Stoppages
One of the biggest contrasts that come into view in the rugby versus football comparison involves stoppages.
Whereas football constantly stops for timeouts, penalties, and replays, rugby contains few breaks to keep the game flowing well.
It sometimes feels sluggish since football is a stop-and-start game, whereas rugby’s continuous flow keeps the energy high, with fans always literally sitting at the edge of their seats.
5. Rugby Values: Sportsmanship
Rugby prides itself on good sportsmanship.
Respect for the referee, respect for opponents, and respect for team colleagues all combine to make rugby unique.
Arguing with a referee is unacceptable in rugby, and disrespect is forbidden.
This respect form trickles out to the fans as well.
Rugby fans are respectable on and off the pitch, making the sport more popular with viewers and players alike.
6. Rugby is more Physically Demanding
Rugby is arguably one of the most physically demanding games.
Players ought to be fit, fast, and strong.
A rugby match lasts 80 minutes, and players run, tackle, and make quick decisions throughout.
Rugby requires the players to have both endurance and strength.
On average, rugby players run between 5 and 7 kilometers in a game, making it more intense than football, which involves more standing around between plays, or so one may argue.
7. Special Teams
Special teams come on for various situations in football, kicking or punting the ball.
In rugby, there are no special teams-all the players on the field have to handle whatever comes up during a game.
This makes rugby more complete, as all the players in this particular game should be able to run, pass, tackle, and kick.
Again, this makes the game more interesting, as unlike American football, there is no need to constantly change many players on and off the playing field.
8. More Teamwork Required
Rugby is greatly based on teamwork.
The nature of the game forces players to work in a team, pass the ball and support each other throughout.
There is no single player who can win this game on his own.
Unlike in football, where there are such positions as quarterbacks who can single-handedly dominate the game, rugby demands the contribution of all team members.
Nothing works in isolation, so rugby creates a sense of unity and is more enjoyable for its team players.
9. Easier Rules
While both sports have their complexities, rugby has fewer rules than football.
Thus, understanding and following the game is more accessible for new fans and players.
Rugby is a rather unsophisticated game. There are few rules, and the objective is to get the ball over the opposing team’s try line.
Football makes many rules, penalties, and play formations that make the game more difficult to follow.
10. Sport Recognized Worldwide
Rugby is played and loved worldwide, from New Zealand to South Africa, from England to Argentina.
Rugby is truly international in its scope.
Football, at least the version known as American football, is played mainly in the United States.
The players are drawn from every continent, which contributes to the sport’s varied playing styles and cultures; this is another reason rugby has become a diversified and exciting game to watch and play.
Conclusion
While football and rugby are both great sports, something about rugby outshines football.
The nonstop action combined with the minimal heavy equipment and an overwhelming sense of sportsmanship makes rugby special.
Because rugby’s teamwork demands are unmatched almost anywhere else, its players have to be proficient in all the skills of the game.
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To learn more about these two fantastic sports, read our blog post on the Difference Between Rugby and American Football.