BS: Rugby V boxing

Subject: BS: Rugby V boxing
From: Jim McLean
Date: 27 Mar 04 - 05:15 PM

Why is it that all those nice middle class people love rugby, with its punchimg, kicking, biting, stamping and brute agression are so opposed to boxing where honest men agree to punch the shit out of each other?

Subject: RE: BS: Rugby V boxing
From: Peace
Date: 27 Mar 04 - 05:18 PM

Ask Cobble--he says it's because they're tough.

Subject: RE: BS: Rugby V boxing
From: akenaton
Date: 27 Mar 04 - 05:30 PM

Jim....they say Rugby League is a lot more violent than Rugby Union,
and RL is the sport of the working man,or so Im told.
Iread "This sporting life" a long time ago ,It was about a RL star on his way down and was a great insight into the "sport"
Anyway football used to be a bit of a blood sport in Glasgow. I remember standing on the terrace in Ibrox as a boy and hearing chants of "If ye cannie gies a goal , Gie us a body"...Ake

Subject: RE: BS: Rugby V boxing
From: Strollin' Johnny
Date: 27 Mar 04 - 05:45 PM

Same reason that otherwise very nice Canadian people like to watch a game that's supposed to be about ice-skaters playing hockey, but which is actually an excuse for obscenely-highly-paid thugs to commit acts of extreme violence on each other with implements which would be regarded anywhere else as offensive weapons - SPECTACLE!

Johnny :0)

Subject: RE: BS: Rugby V boxing
From: Gareth
Date: 27 Mar 04 - 06:30 PM

Actually it takes me back to my playing days - When an assult was treated as give and take.

Gareth - Who still has a tooth missing !

Subject: RE: BS: Rugby V boxing
From: GUEST
Date: 27 Mar 04 - 08:23 PM

Well, at ;east rugby does not have the expressed objective of bashing somebody into unconsciousness. That is an occasional incident, and not usually deliberate.

Subject: RE: BS: Rugby V boxing
From: Bobert
Date: 27 Mar 04 - 08:31 PM

Well gol dangest sport I ever played...

Yeah, I got invited to play by a friend who was a rugby nut and a member of a club. I din't know nuthin' about rugby... Still don't... All I can say is it don't matter what rules you is playin', rugby ain't nuthin' less than a gang rumble... Didn't take me but one game to figure out that my rugby carrer was gonna end as quick as it started...

As fir you rugby players, knock yerselves out...

Literally.

Bobert

Subject: RE: BS: Rugby V boxing
From: breezy
Date: 27 Mar 04 - 09:07 PM

obviously no one here knows much about rugby though guest may have some idea.

ignorance is exposed in the leading and subsequent responses

It is not a game that can be played without some form of preparation, whereas in soccer anyone can kick a ball, and other players.

There is more violent conduct in soccer with its crippling over the ball tackles.

Punching ,kicking and tripping are fouls in rugby.
It takes much courage and skill to tackle an opponent and bring him to the ground , the following rucks -on the ground- maul -on your feet- are seldom understood by the casual observer and there is little in the way of explanation from commentators and presenters.
How many of you understand the offside law?

The general public needs greater education as not all schools can provide it.

didnt Wales have a good day today?

How did the 'world champs' do?

your only as good as your last gig.

Subject: RE: BS: Rugby V boxing
From: pixieofdoom
Date: 27 Mar 04 - 09:49 PM

rugby players have much nicer thighs.........

Subject: RE: BS: Rugby V boxing
From: Bobert
Date: 27 Mar 04 - 10:29 PM

breezy,

Ahhh, come on over here to the US and you'll see that something has been lost in the interpretation. I've played soccer here going back some 40 years so I know what soccer is and it ain't like the way they play rugby here.

Bobert

Subject: RE: BS: Rugby V boxing
From: mack/misophist
Date: 27 Mar 04 - 11:28 PM

Why prefer rugby over boxing? I'm not a fan of either, but I never heard of any one being killed at rugby. It's rare, but it can happen in boxing. And don't forget, even a great boxer like Ali had the sense knocked out of him. That may be why.

Subject: RE: BS: Rugby V boxing
From: Peace
Date: 27 Mar 04 - 11:55 PM

Some sports have contact in them. I played football and fought in martial arts tournaments when I was younger. Some sports have contact. However, the issue here is the extra violence that occurs when someone with little sportsmanship loses his temper and fouls another player with the intent to injure. That sucks. But then, some people just got no f#ckin' manners at all, on or off the competition arena. And Strollin' Johnny, there are more hockey teams in the USA than Canada.

Subject: RE: BS: Rugby V boxing
From: Shanghaiceltic
Date: 28 Mar 04 - 03:16 AM

I enjoy watching both boxing and rugby.

Rugby is a tough game where team work is required as well as stamina and tactics. No body armour apart from a box and a gum shield.

Boxing is a skilled martial art. It too requires stamina and the ability to control and take advantage of openings when presented in order to be able to strike. Good boxers rarely loose their tempers in the ring.

Any catters who have practised judo, karate, tae kwon do, aikido (or in my case kendo) or any other martial arts and taken part in competitions will have an appreciation of how long a single 3 or 5 minute competition bout can feel. And that is a single bout which if won means that there is at least a decent break before the next round.

So watching a man be able to box through multiple rounds with only short breaks between and still be able to think and fight has my admiration.

Olympic boxing now has head protection, pro boxing does not. But boxers enter the ring knowing the risks. Referees in both areas of boxing tend to be more cautious these days too.

In both boxing and rugby there are people who let the game get into disrepute, but they are a very small minority unlike in some other sports where bad tempers and thuggery are seen both on and off the pitch or rink.

And before anyone makes the comment yes you do get some unbalanced types who take up martial arts, but generally they do not last long as they do not like being put on their backs, thrown or hit.

Subject: RE: BS: Rugby V boxing
From: alanabit
Date: 28 Mar 04 - 05:48 AM

I'll agree with that last remark wholeheartedly. I found that the hard men who came into the clubs either gave up very quickly - or changed their ideas a bit and turned into very reasonable and disciplined young men. All the martial arts people I know are polite and disciplined.

Subject: RE: BS: Rugby V boxing
From: ard mhacha
Date: 28 Mar 04 - 06:28 AM

Young Irish Rugby star John McCall died in South Africa on the field yesterday in an Under 19, International against New Zealand.
Young John was lauded as a future Irish Cap, two weeks ago Jim Huey dropped dead on the field playing for Derry YMCA against Inihsowen.
Rugby over the years has had a few deaths, this is a rare exception to have two young men die on the playing field.

Subject: RE: BS: Rugby V boxing
From: Jim McLean
Date: 28 Mar 04 - 10:14 AM

I'm sorry to hear about young John McCall. In the school where I taught, rugby was abandoned after young boys were injured, usually with neck problems. My original question was based on viewing young girls cheering at rugy matches as players were clearly visble with blood streaming down their faces. If you like rugby and boxing then there is no problem but I was questioning the apparent inconsistency of taste.

Subject: RE: BS: Rugby V boxing
From: breezy
Date: 28 Mar 04 - 06:35 PM

Body armour is worn in rugby

Soccer in the states is unlike soccer in England where it can be brutal, especially in the parks on a Sunday morning.

In the states you are far too nice

gridiron cant hold a candle to rugby!!!!!


running for cover cos its true.

Subject: RE: BS: Rugby V boxing
From: Hrothgar
Date: 29 Mar 04 - 04:00 AM

That Guest above was me - I didn't realse wy cookie had crumbled. Thanks for the small tribute, breezy. By the way, NOBODY understands the offside law.

The one thing I admire about boxing is the magnificient athleticism of the best - but I deplore the use to which it is put.

Shanghai, if you have to wear a box to play rugby, that's a hell of a competition that you're playing in! Now, shin guards in the front row, maybe.

Subject: RE: BS: Rugby V boxing
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 29 Mar 04 - 04:25 AM

As to getting kicked in football (soccer) I seem to recall a quote:

"You get more bruised shins in Bridge than in Football"


Nigel

Subject: RE: BS: Rugby V boxing
From: Shanghaiceltic
Date: 29 Mar 04 - 04:32 AM

Yes Hrothgar I guess I should have specified a bollock box to protect the wedding tackle but I was too polite to do so ;-)

I used to wear one after getting 'caught' when I played in the RN but lets not go there....

Mind you the sight of a man running down the pitch in a box would certainly be a surprise, so much so might even get a touch down, (jointed box needed).

Subject: RE: BS: Rugby V boxing
From: el ted
Date: 29 Mar 04 - 04:38 AM

I lost a lot of teeth in my younger days from playing Union, and never left the pitch without a stinking headache from being battered for an hour and a half. Still don't know why I played for so many years.
Here's an idea, why combined Rugby with Boxing, put gloves on all the players then they could really kick the shit out of each other.

Subject: RE: BS: Rugby V boxing
From: GUEST,Melanie Davis
Date: 29 Mar 04 - 04:56 AM

Rugby is pretty cool but boxing seperates the men from the boys. Watching semi-naked muscular and fit men fighting one another is, strangely, exhilerating. I always enjoy it.

Subject: RE: BS: Rugby V boxing
From: Peace
Date: 29 Mar 04 - 02:11 PM

Ah hem!

Subject: RE: BS: Rugby V boxing
From: GUEST,Rapaire, whose cookie went mising
Date: 29 Mar 04 - 03:35 PM

I dunno, I guess I was brought up to think that if you have to fight, end it quickly and as permanently as possible. Of course, that could be because I taught hand-to-hand combat for a while when I was in the Army.

Somebody attacks you, break their kneecap and bronco stomp 'em when they're down. Throw them (over the shoulder is good) and then drop your knee into their throat. Dodge their punch, catch their wrist on your shoulder, and break their elbow, then raise them several inches off the ground with a knee in the crotch. Other things that those who know will know how to do....

A real fight is over in a few seconds.

The first, and only, time I ever boxed was when I was about 7 years old. My uncle thought I should go a few rounds with his oldest son, who he'd been teaching to box (I'd barely seen it on TV). Forced into it, I struck straight out and knocked him cold -- no TKO for me! My uncle didn't pursue the boxing after that.

I won't fight unless I have no other option, but then I'll do my best to kill you. However, I'd much rather buy you a beer.

Subject: RE: BS: Rugby V boxing
From: mike the knife
Date: 29 Mar 04 - 03:35 PM

Gave up Rugby Union at the tender age of 37 due to some neck problems. The girlfriend told me point blank that she refused to change my diaper should I paralyze myself w/ a rugby-sustained spinal injury. I eschewed the 'cup' (US term) after getting The Gear mashed up in a rolling maul (lots of folks binding in on the waistband of the shorts tends to shift things a bit). Ye plays the game and ye takes ye chances... Anybody playing "grab & twist" was usually savagely booted soon thereafter.
There is some give & take as to the casual/occasional punch, but egregious, flagrant offenses are usually dealt with promptly in like manner and aren't often repeated. As for boxing/martial arts, I've done some training/sparring & have had my bell rung a few times- takes discipline, conditioning, training, etc. Hard to compare the two. Both endeavours require taking a bit of a pounding, but the similarities pretty much stop there.
And Pixie, thanks for noticing :-)

Subject: RE: BS: Rugby V boxing
From: ard mhacha
Date: 30 Mar 04 - 02:14 AM

The deaths of John McCall and Jim Huey were both reported to be due to heart failure.

Subject: RE: BS: Rugby V boxing
From: Peace
Date: 30 Mar 04 - 08:28 PM

Rapper's post reminds me of a tale that took place in eastern Canada.
Some of the boys and girls went out after a martial arts class to have Chinese food. The master was there also. He was Korean and his wife was French Canadian. Some fairly big boys entered the restaurant, and they had put a few away prior to getting there. One of the loud mouths began to comment on the obvious loveliness of the master's wife. Two of his students (BBs--one second and one third degree) began to rise with the intent of confronting the gang at the nearby table. I understand there were over a half dozen guys there.) The master told them to sit down. They did, but they were unhappy about it. A few more remarks were made and eventually the master had enough. He rose and went to their table alone. He had his business card with him. It read "Master ________, 7th degree black belt." He gave the card to the loudest mouth at the table and said, "You have a choice. You can all fight me now or allow me to buy you a beer." The table went silent, and they decided to leave instead.

I got this story from one of the fellows who was there. He was my instructor. The table that left was very lucky. Who'd a thunk it. A short, thin guy, maybe 5'2". I hope no one ever made the mistake of pushing the situation with him. Awesome martial artist. Tough as nails, too. One just never knows.

I agree with Rapper. If you have no choice, take care of business. However, it is seldom that we have so little choice. I would rather walk away, as would anyone of good sense. Toughest guy I ever met had the face of a choir boy. Didn't look like he could pick up an armload of books. I'll shut up, now.

BM

Subject: RE: BS: Rugby V boxing
From: mike the knife
Date: 01 Apr 04 - 03:29 PM

Good points Brucie.
None but the lowbred & loutish look for trouble. And ofttimes it finds them. Funny how karma works eh?