Although it was exciting because it was tense, it was a poor spectacle. So many infringements. It came down to who gave away the least penalties. Biggar kicked 7/7 to Farrell's 5/5.
I find a bunch of rugger buggers talking in some kind of code about a mystical game that stops every ten seconds so a guy in the stands can give a penalty (what's the point of the referee on the pitch?) nauseating. I'm only referring to the English though.
It's a valid point. The game is so technical. There are so many ways that players can be penalised that there is often no flow to the game. The essence of the game is simple - running with the ball, so it shouldn't be as intricate as cricket. No wonder they bleat about Sam Burgess' inexperience; it will take him a long time to work out the countless ways he can fall foul of the rules. This blunts his skills. I'm interested in most sports though, so I can find a lot of enjoyment in it despite the frustration of the ref constantly blowing his whistle. I used to watch when Jason Robinson played for the thrill of seeing him dance past players with ball in hand. That was a true spectacle - and there have been few more exciting in sport.
I much prefer league to union but I think that may be a sort of reverse snobbery as I think of league as a working class sport while union is played by public schoolboy twats
I love RFU. I got forced to play it as a kid, got into it and ended up playing for 20 or so years. However, Stan does have a point, there are far too many stoppages nowadays - seemingly for every little incident. It's too much, and it's ruining the game as a spectacle. The fourth official should be reserved for the important stuff only. Try or no try, serious foul play, etc.
Gatland says there isn't enough of a break between games They'd be playing the final at Xmas if he had his way.
