Football is on the rise in NZ following the All Whites triumphant victory in the weekend. Can the sport ever be as popular in the home of the All Blacks?

Rugby vs football: which is better? Here is the latest selection of Your Views:

  1. 236
    comments
  2. Bill Wilson (New Zealand)
    08:59AM Monday, 16 Nov 2009
    Both are different sports and both have pros and cons.

    My point is that Rugby has to be very careful and especially the arrogant NZRFU and Mr Tew and the 4 team cull as I went to the All whites game and if Manawatu gets culled I know where I will be spending my money in future and what sport my kids will be playing and we wont be wearing black.
  3. Davedog (Papakura)
    09:50AM Monday, 16 Nov 2009
    While I admit rugby has some serious problems with the current rules favouring a kick and chase game, I watched 10 minutes of the soccer on Saturday hoping to see Bahrain knock us out, and was so bored I switched over to Grand Designs.

    The problem with soccer is that there is no physical contact. It is an excellent game for kids to learn co-ordination, but nothing substitutes for the contact involved in rugby or league. Soccer is really a pastime for those who physically cannot handle rugby. It is only so popular because the majority of third worlders and Euros are just too soft to last for 5 minutes playing rugby.

    Supporters of the feminine game can kid themselves if they want to, but deep down they have to admit it is just because they could never man up to the challenge of rugby.
  4. Deal to Crims (Rotorua)
    09:50AM Monday, 16 Nov 2009
    The one with the egg shaped ball is the one I like.

    I'm not keen on grown men having a kiss & cuddle on the field.
  5. DG AKLD (Remuera)
    10:14AM Monday, 16 Nov 2009
    Sure there was a lot riding on the All Whites game, a sense of its now or never type of thing. You only have to compare what happens when the Phoenix play to tap into the reality of the situation. Equally, some rugby games are incredible events, and I've seen some awful games too, take AB's v Italy yesterday as a classic example.

    And for those that start throwing stats into the equation, keep in mind, the simplicty of one over the other, or how about this, maybe some of us simply prefer one code to the other, we understand one more than the other, we like it that way.

    There is no right or wrong answer here.
  6. Karlos (Kaiapoi)
    10:14AM Monday, 16 Nov 2009
    It's like asking which is better: Apples or Bananas? The two are totally different and a lot of people enjoy both.

    I like watching a good game of football, especially during World Cup tournaments, but if I had to chose between them I'd take rugby every time. It's nothing to do with which is a better game to watch, or how good the crowds are etc. Rugby is what I grew up playing and watching and will always be my favourite.

    Plus I've seen too many football games decided by a penalty or free kick that was awarded because of a hollywood player deliberately taking a dive.
  7. Rixter (New Zealand)
    10:15AM Monday, 16 Nov 2009
    Soccer has a window to catch the public's imagination and support. Unlike the 82 All Whites, rugby is not "king" anymore. FIFA have said that the Oceania area will be re-vamped for next qualifying as without the Aussies it is too weak, so NZ Soccer better get their butts into gear.

    Rugby's big draw is the sevens, and the All Whites game on Saturday was very similar in atmosphere, when did an AB test have that feel. Soccer has a few problems, Ricki Herbert is far too over-exposed, even I am sick of seeing him.

    The Phoenix need to stop having draws, and need a superstar [pity Smeltz left], need to organize lots of warm-up games for the All Whites here in NZ, and hopefully a couple of super star teams.

    NZ rugby is in the doldrums, NZRU have run the game into the ground, they forgot what the game is really about and too driven by the money, and the current 9 year old management could'nt organize a booze up in a brewery
  8. Realist (Auckland City)
    10:15AM Monday, 16 Nov 2009
    I found the soccer fantastically exciting. I have not found a rugby game to be like that for a very long time. It is made more exciting not just because we actually have a good team for a change, but because soccer is huge internationally. Far bigger than rugby.

    Personally I think rugby support will dwindle over time for a number of reasons. 1) The two competing codes has fractured the audience too much 2) Rugby is perceived as more dangerous than soccer - necks and facial injuries esp 3) Some people don't like the fact it now seems to be mainly a polynesian game. I have heard the All Blacks be called the All Browns in a tongue in check manner.

    If the All blacks embarrass themselves at the World Cup, I reackon that will just about sink rugby.

    Still, nothing wrong with soccer, both for people to play and also to watch. Bring it on!
  9. bluez (Waitakere City)
    10:25AM Monday, 16 Nov 2009
    interesting Q; well when we have a look at a world event point of view soccer is more superior than rugby & also more exciting too.

    Where you would ever see teams from top 20 world ranking not qualify for World Cup, well in soccer we would, just see NZ on 83th in the world ranking making it to the WC when less ranking teams can't, while in rugby it is only dominated by top 5 ranking countries only.

    In rugby when Pool Draws are made in WC, every one can figure as to what teams will make quarter finals or even semi finals, not in soccer mate.just check the history of the soccer world cup. Go All Whites