The article discusses the misconception that rugby union was better in the amateur era and argues that the modern game is of higher quality. The author challenges nostalgists to watch matches from the amateur era and highlights the lack of skill and focus on contact in those games.
Be in no doubt, all you nostalgists - rugby union was woeful in the amateur era . So why do we keep bemoaning the quality of the modern game ? And, worse still, holding up the 20th‑century version as some sort of golden age when players were skilful and looked for space instead of contact? It is difficult to evoke through words alone sufficient levels of contempt for the latter idea. Be in no doubt, all you nostalgists, rugby union was woeful in the amateur era .
If you don’t believe that go back and watch it. All of it. From first whistle to last. And not that 101 Best Tries video your grandad bought you for Christmas in 1987. Admittedly, to watch an entire 80 minutes from the amateur era is not easy, but videos of them do exist on the internet. While researching Unholy Union, the book I wrote with Mark Evans a few years ago on where rugby has come from and where it is going, I sat through the entirety of the second and fourth Tests of the Lions tour to New Zealand in 1971, counting the key metrics such as scrums, lineouts and tackle
Rugby Union Amateur Era Modern Game Skill Contact
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