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Rugby Union v Rugby League

For the fans and players of these two sports, there is often the debate about which of the rugby codes is better. This comparison will determine which sport requires a greater level of all round athleticism. The winner is based on head to head comparisons on a number of important factors of success in sport, as rated by you (see how the winners are calculated). To add your own rating, see the factors of success for Rugby Union and Rugby League.



Rugby League is Clearly Ahead

For each of the factors below, people have rated them between 1 (for not important) up to 5 (very important). As you can see, although there are some similarities between the two football codes, people have rated differently for many of these factors. What is the most important factor for one sport may not necessarily be the most important for the other.

For most of the components listed below, league has the upper hand. As the rating is ongoing, these comparisons may change over time.

Factors of Success Rugby Union Rugby League
Body Size and Composition Body size includes height, lengths and girths. Composition refers to the distribution of muscle and fat in the body.
Aerobic Endurance also known as cardiovascular fitness and stamina, is the ability to exercise continuously for extended periods without tiring
Strength & Power Strength is the ability to exert a maximal force, and Power is to do this in as short a time as possible, as in accelerating, jumping and throwing implements.
Speed / Quickness the ability to move quickly across the ground or move limbs rapidly to grab or throw
Flexibility the capacity of a joint to move through its full range of motion, which is important for execution of the techniques of sports
Agility the ability to quickly change body position or direction of the body
Balance & Coordination the ability to stay upright or stay in control of body movement is an important component of many sports skills
Reaction Time the ability to respond quickly to a stimulus
Analytic & Tactical Ability the ability of the mental system to evaluate and react to strategic situations (tactical ability)
Motivation & Self Confidence a motivated and focused athlete, with a level of belief in themselves, often seen as arrogance in athletes
Coping with Pressure Situations the ability to stay focused and perform up to expectations while under increasing pressure, and under changing conditions
Skill and Technique the specific skill set and technique required to be successful in a particular sport.


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