My First Rugby Match

After watching rugby matches on television for the past month, my roommates and I finally decided to go see a game live. We went to watch the NSW Waratahs take on the Central Cheetahs at Sydney Football Stadium last Saturday night. The stadium was beautiful and was within walking distance from our apartment. We were shocked that we were able to sit in the front row for only fifteen dollars. For that price, I would be sitting in the top row at a baseball or football game back in the states.

The game has a totally different feel in person than it does on television. You can hear the hits and really come to appreciate the training that it must take to play this game. The players need to have the strength of an American football player but the conditioning of a soccer player. When I saw some of the players up close, I was in awe at how fit they were. I do not think I would ever cut it as a rugby player.

Now having watched both rugby Union and League matches, I think I prefer the rugby Union style of play better. There is more continuous action and less stoppages. When researching the game online I thought one man said it best, "Union is a game for barbarians played by gentlemen, while League is a game for gentlemen played by barbarians."

Even though the Waratahs lost the match, it is an experience I will never forget. My roommates and I had so much fun we hope to make Waratah's games a Saturday tradition.