It's the SUPER BOWL!!!!!!!!

[TitoFan]

If you can get it on your channels over there in the States, you should try and catch some of the Six Nations rugby starting Saturday. Different sport to those mentioned, but pretty compelling stuff.

If you're new to rugby, watch the whole game rather than just a bit of it.

It's still mainly egg chasing but without the armour. We used to have someone who played for the England rugby team as a poster here once.

Admittedly, I've never seen a whole rugby match. I've seen bits and pieces, though. One of the pluses is definitely the non-stop action. No huddles, time-outs (that I could see), or any other clock-stopping things. It's certainly tough enough... not for the out of shape.

Still, my love affair with NFL-style football goes way back. Although there's a lot of time between plays, I don't really mind. There's just so much strategy involved. Not only the offense has a huge array of plays and formations from which to pick from..... but the defense also does. It's also a huge mind battle between offense and defense, like when does a defense decide to throw a blitz at the quarterback... and how does the quarterback anticipate it and/or handle it.

Also the decisions that must be made. Does the team go for it on 4th and 1. How bad are the consequences if they don't make it. Does the team try a 55-yard field goal, or do they punt it away. There are a lot of mind games involved. Not mention the players that rise to the occasion and come up with the huge sack, the huge catch, the pinpoint pass. Blowout games can get boring, but there's always the big comebacks, the overtime games.

Yes... I'm a big NFL fan.

[X]

I see big, fast, powerful guys who are fantastic athletes in short bursts. I'm sure the strategy element is vital in such a stop start set piece game. I must admit I certainly don't understand the game well enough to 'get' that.

[vidgil]

To people who don't know the game, they think it's about a bunch of 300lb guys running around bumping into each other. When in fact football requires more planning and strategy than any other mainstream sport I can imagine.

[TitoFan]

In contrast, look at basketball. Pretty much non-stop in terms of action, except the time-outs. Plenty of formidable athletes running around scoring baskets and defending. But what about the coaches and strategy. I'm sure there's some, as in who guards who and some set plays. But honestly... what else does the coach tell his guys other than "Pass it to the guy who's open and shoot the ball in the basket." Not mention that it's hardly shooting anymore. Now it's a bunch of 7-footers dunking the basket. Hardly a stretch for them. Give me football any day.

[Master]

I would say give me soccer/football any day but I am beginning to resent the prima donna multi millionaires who dive and cheat their way in life.

[TitoFan]

I would say give me soccer/football any day but I am beginning to resent the prima donna multi millionaires who dive and cheat their way in life.

I looove soccer/football, and think both (NFL) can coexist, as they're completely different sports.
The ones that compete, IMO, are NFL football and rugby, on account of being the more similar sports.


At least there's less diving in the NFL.

[erics44]

Girls Rugby