Why is the NRL so much better?

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nathan_rugby
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Why is the NRL so much better?

Post by nathan_rugby »

It is rather obvious that the NRL is the far superior competition but why? What are the reasons people think?

Is it style of play?
Is it genetics?
Is it played more during youth - School and Amateur Leagues? (Any figures?)
Is the competition from U16-U23s key to development?

I know it won't be possible to pinpoint but i am interested to know the opinions of others. I am just watching Wests vs Panthers now and the speed and skill is amazing. The Forwards are running hard, fast, at gaps and in pairs. The hookers and halves are fast, creating space and using decoy runners. The wingers are always in space.

it is great to watch.
Bomhead - "Lockers to prop."
pedro
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Re: Why is the NRL so much better?

Post by pedro »

money
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Firestarter
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Re: Why is the NRL so much better?

Post by Firestarter »

It has always been better in my experience 1980-2019
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nathan_rugby
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Re: Why is the NRL so much better?

Post by nathan_rugby »

pedro wrote: Fri May 10, 2019 5:08 pmmoney
In what way does money make it better ?
Bomhead - "Lockers to prop."
moto748
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Re: Why is the NRL so much better?

Post by moto748 »

nathan_rugby wrote: Fri May 10, 2019 6:15 pm
pedro wrote: Fri May 10, 2019 5:08 pmmoney
In what way does money make it better ?
Well, by and large, the NRL doesn't lose players to other comps and sports, like SL does. And the money in the game is the main reason for that.
moto748
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Re: Why is the NRL so much better?

Post by moto748 »

A few points: more money does lots of things. Two refs are considerably better than one in cleaning up the ruck and policing offside effectively. Although they fundamentally use the same VR system we do, which many don't like (we all know the arguments, no need to go into them here). But the Bunker does a much better job, and quicker, than our VR. Partly because the technology seems better. More camera angles, freeze frames, just a clearer view, etc. So they can usually come to the correct decision quicker.

One example is the problem of players lying in the ruck, obstructing play (or milking penalties, however you want to look at it). In the NRL they seem to have managed to get the players just to get on with the game. If dummy-halves are fractionally inconvenienced by a prone player, nine times out of ten, they just reach over him, pick up the ball, and get on with the game. Penalties are awarded only in very obvious cases. Which is how it should be, I think.

But the biggie in terms of quality of play is the pathway for teenagers into the top-level. We see lads of 17 or 18 walk into first-grade, sides, even in key positions, and make a good fist of it. But those youngsters have had a much better grounding than their equivalents in England.
pedro
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Re: Why is the NRL so much better?

Post by pedro »

nathan_rugby wrote: Fri May 10, 2019 6:15 pm
pedro wrote: Fri May 10, 2019 5:08 pmmoney
In what way does money make it better ?
because they can attract better players and retain players. Its why the premier league is better than the Scottish League
nathan_rugby
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Re: Why is the NRL so much better?

Post by nathan_rugby »

moto748 wrote: Fri May 10, 2019 7:39 pm
nathan_rugby wrote: Fri May 10, 2019 6:15 pm
pedro wrote: Fri May 10, 2019 5:08 pmmoney
In what way does money make it better ?
Well, by and large, the NRL doesn't lose players to other comps and sports, like SL does. And the money in the game is the main reason for that.
The good players have to be there to start with though...
Bomhead - "Lockers to prop."
nathan_rugby
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Re: Why is the NRL so much better?

Post by nathan_rugby »

pedro wrote: Fri May 10, 2019 10:59 pm
nathan_rugby wrote: Fri May 10, 2019 6:15 pm
pedro wrote: Fri May 10, 2019 5:08 pmmoney
In what way does money make it better ?
because they can attract better players and retain players. Its why the premier league is better than the Scottish League
Money keeps them there, it doesn’t make them better in the first place.
Bomhead - "Lockers to prop."
moto748
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Re: Why is the NRL so much better?

Post by moto748 »

No, but it can make them better in the second place. And it does, all the time.
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