Comparison of rugby league and rugby union is possible because of the games' similarities and shared origins. Initially, following the 1895 split in rugby football, rugby league and rugby union differed in administration only. Soon however, the rules of rugby league were modified, resulting in two distinctly different forms of rugby. After 100 years rugby union joined rugby league, and most other forms of football, as an openly professional sport. One the most prominent differences between the two sports today is that rugby league has a system of limited tackles whereas rugby union does not. Also rugby union has retained the prevalent use of scrums. The inherent similarities between rugby league and rugby union has at times led to the possibility of a merger being mooted and experimental hybrid games have been played that use a mix of the two sports' rules.
Read more about Comparison Of Rugby League And Rugby Union: History, Etymology, Gameplay, Field, Players, Laws, Cross-code Games, Demographics, Finance and Scale
Famous quotes containing the words comparison, league and/or union:
“Certainly there is not the fight recorded in Concord history, at least, if in the history of America, that will bear a moment’s comparison with this, whether for the numbers engaged in it, or for the patriotism and heroism displayed.”
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)
“Stereotypes fall in the face of humanity. You toodle along, thinking that all gay men wear leather after dark and should never, ever be permitted around a Little League field. And then one day your best friend from college, the one your kids adore, comes out to you.”
—Anna Quindlen (b. 1952)
“She had brought love to the union and he had brought a longing after the flesh.”
—Zora Neale Hurston (1891–1960)