Rugby? Really?
…to quote a recent Comment. The answer is: yes, really. The rugby world cup starts tomorrow. I’m a fan of this game and over the course of the tournament, I shall as usual try to persuade just one person to get into it. I have successfully done this with previous blogs about snooker and coffee. If I’ve learned one thing from my many days of blogging, it’s that you might never make much of a difference to the world, but anything you write MIGHT make a fair amount of difference to one person.
Anyway, the thing is, I’ve not had time to write the ten-cool-arguments-in-favour-of-liking-rugby which I planned. So I’ll do that over the weekend. For now, just try and watch one of the games, if you’re up. If you are implacably opposed to rugby/sport then, as with my previous campaigns, I’m happy to admit you’re out of my reach. But some of you will be on the fence. It’s you people I am coming for. I only want one, remember. I will get inside your head. Watch me.
(If you think you could potentially be the one, let me know and I’ll target you specifically.)
Posted by Tom Beasley on September 11, 2011
If I start liking rugby, then I have to stop doing jokes about it. And I am far too attached to my rugby joke.
Posted by Helen on September 9, 2011
AND, to finish off that rant, if you can watch this without goosebumps, you’re probably dead inside…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cym3Whor0MY
I cried like a girl on the day…
Posted by Helen on September 9, 2011
I’ve been a rugby girl since my (and Pandora’s, natch) dad took me ten years ago. I had no idea what was going on, it was about -5 and my hands went blue but I absolutely fell for it. I understand that rugby can be hard to figure out, if you want to get into it, find a kindly rugby fan and just ask them whenever you have no idea what’s going on. Buy them a pint or a cake for their troubles and once it clicks you’ll be away. But saying that, you don’t have to understand every in and out to get into it, it’s fast and skilful and exciting and unlike football, attacking phases can last for ten minutes so the atmosphere can be electric.
And Andrew? ‘Fat men’?! Professional rugby players are the most ridiculously athletic men on the planet. In a rugby team you’ll have people who would be internationally ranked at sprinting, weightlifting and any other number of sports.
Posted by Melanie on September 9, 2011
Grown up with rugby union. Our Dad has been Honorary Treasurer at Huddersfield RUFC (or “The Club”) for longer than I’ve been alive (I’m 23), so it’s always been in my life. Some of my earliest memories are of me and my twin sister messing around during matches at the grounds of the old club house! And now we work part time behind the bar, which has happily picked up again now the season’s started. I like the international matches, been to Twickenham to see 6 Nations matches a few times as my Dad can get tickets through the Club, which is fantastic! In fact, a couple of years ago he was honoured by the RFU for his long service, he had an all expenses paid trip to Twickers for the England- Italy game, including access to the players bar before the game, and the VIP’s dinner that night at the Intercontinental Hotel in Park Lane. Very snazzy!
My house, particularly my Mum, has been counting down the days/weeks to the World Cup!
I’ve a picture of me and my sister with Martin Johnson when he came to the Club a few years ago, and a picture of my whole family and me stood next to the Webb Ellis Trophy when it went on tour in 2004 to Rugby Union clubs.
Sorry, I’ll shut up now.
Posted by Clembear on September 9, 2011
I’m a rugby convert so can talk through how I was persuaded (so much so I went to France for the 2007 World Cup – magnifique!). Its a combination of factors
1) I watched a lot of Internationals, with nice people who explained it to me whilst I repeatedly asked questions. People also explained a bit more what was happening in a scrum, why the kept kicking so much, and how one team could dominate another.
2)There was regular beer and/or bacon sandwiches with tea. This makes life much more convival.
3) The outfits changes to skintight tops.
4) England were good so watching them was fun rather than an exercise in depression.
In summary: Kindness and understanding, food, sex and victory.
Posted by Steve Doherty on September 9, 2011
Rugby is one of the few games I can bear to watch. That and table tennis.
Posted by Andrew on September 9, 2011
Oh dear. This is very disappointing. It’s a dreadful, dreadful sport, fundamentally flawed in its design (moving the ball forwards by throwing it backwards) and hamstrung by about a zillion laws which make it both unintelligible and spasmodic. Moreover, I have little time for any sport which can be played by fat men.
Of course, you can try. But you’ll fail.
Posted by Rachael on September 9, 2011
I don’t think you are going to get me with this one, rugby just always looks quite threatening to me. I can’t tell if they are just playing the game or have started fighting.
Posted by h2osarah on September 9, 2011
Rugby eh? Yeah. I don’t really know how it works, but it has all the keystones of interesting sport. I might be swayed.
Posted by jen on September 9, 2011
As an avowed non sports fan I pretend that I watch rugby because they wear short shorts, in truth I’ve been sucked in and mostly watch the game now. For shame!
Posted by Laurs on September 9, 2011
I’m sorry Mark, but this is one challenge I can’t participate in. I hate rugby with a passion. I think it’s a pointless sport. I appreciate that people who play it must be good at it, fit etc, but I have several friends, some of whom have played professionally, and so many times I have had to accompany them to hospital, or wince at the sight of cuts/bruises/misshaped limbs that I cannot for the life of me understand why anyone would watch, let alone participate.
It’s a bit like boxing for me, totally pointless.
Posted by Lydia on September 9, 2011
I don’t think I’ll ever get into rugby. When I still went to my dad’s he would watch it all day and it never managed to tempt me away from my book. Sorry. Plus whenever I do see anything to do with rugby players they are nearly always bleeding and it’s gross.
Posted by Hannah Q on September 9, 2011
i’ve just put the rugby on now actually…as someone else said: i don’t understand it. you may have to explain the rules in your super-cool reasons to love rugby.might turn it off actually as its bringing back painful memories and i need to read bleak house before wednesday.
Posted by Hannah Q on September 9, 2011
I have a few friends who are really into rugby (although playing more than watching i think) so i have all these terrible memories of being forced to be on the school rugby team to make up numbers. as i remember it was very cold, very wet and i hated every second. i appreciate that you could watch rugby from the comfort and safety of your own home, and that its probably quite different when its being played by grown men and not (much scarier) 13 year old girls. but still, the scars run deep. i think i’m up for being convinced though, if i ever have enough time to watch it between all the tennis. (andy murray through to the quarter finals and calling for a players union hooray)
Posted by Patrick on September 9, 2011
I’m young and impressionable, or so I’m told. But I don’t really like sports; you could change my mind! Or not.
Posted by Melinda on September 9, 2011
I could learn to appreciate Rugby.
Posted by Miz on September 9, 2011
(P.S. Dad took to a rugby game once waaay back in 1998 (?), it was England-Italy. I remember being very fond of the mexican wave.)
Posted by Miz on September 9, 2011
My dad is absolutely stoked. He did get me into baseball so he might try and get me into rugby. Although tbh I have far too many things going on already without worrying about another sport!
Posted by Elise on September 9, 2011
Okay, convince me. When I moved from NYC to Auckland last year, I told myself I was going to get into rugby before the World Cup. I have totally failed on that, and now I’m clueless in the midst of the rugby-themed chaos down here. I’ll be primarily rooting for the All Blacks, the US second, and then Wales third (my suburb has adopted Wales as their second team for the games). What should I know?
Posted by Dan on September 9, 2011
I’ve always been slightly intrigued at rugby. I’m not into football really but I feel like I could be. Sitting through anything for eighty minutes (that’s the right amount of time I think) is hard work and I don’t really have much clue about the rules. But it’s supposed to be more of a “gentlemen’s game” which I like to think I am, so perhaps it could be for me. I’m up for watching a game at the weekend.
Posted by Suzanne aka Senior Watsonian on September 8, 2011
I’m really looking forward to the Rugby World Cup … but I look forward to all sport so I continue to follow the Grand Slam in New York, Alex with Davis Cup tennis coming soon, plus the cricket county championship as the season comes to an end and the one-dayer against India tomorrow, not forgetting the Italian Grand Prix in Monza on Sunday … Did anyone else enjoy the recent athletics World Championships??? And/or the Football internationals???
So much sport, no wonder I feel exhausted!!!
Plus, Jen … this is a pre-alert alert because Bristol City will be back in action again on Saturday … start flexing those fingers in readiness for crossing!!! MAIN alert tomorrow …
Posted by alot of rachels on September 8, 2011
I have an odd relationship with rugby. I don’t sit down specifically to watch a game but if someone is sat watching it I’ll enjoy it. but that only happens with international games and never league ones (and even then only of the game affects England in some way)
Posted by Jen on September 8, 2011
I was sat today in total silence – nodding blankly(again!) the reason this time….’rugby talk’ – please help me understand the joy of rugby!…or at least give me three random but relevant rugby statements,Father Ted style,so I can join in!!!Jx
Posted by Alex on September 8, 2011
I’ve tried to get into Rugby before. It was all very exciting and everything but I had NO idea what was going on. Anyway, this is all beside the point, does *nobody* know there’s a tennis grand slam on this week? Now that’s important.
Posted by Misha on September 8, 2011
I actually like the rugby. Although I am damn glad not to be working in Dominos this time round. Nothing like pissed welsh rugby fans.
Posted by lisan66 on September 8, 2011
I’ve kind of watched bits of a few rugby games, but it’s been more when I’m reading in the living room and I glance at the tv every so often. I would love to get into it though. I even tried to make my friend bring me with her to the Ireland-England game that was on over here a few weeks ago because she won tickets, but she brought her sister instead. So basically, I will try but I can’t guarantee anything.
And are Ireland in the rugby world cup? That way I can watch the games where I at least have some patriotic attatchment