The World In Union - The Rugby Forum

You're entitled to your opinion and I respect that. However, I was countering your argument with MY opinion and given that to date you're the only person who has participated in this thread, I thought you might appreciate a bit of input to make discussion with. But if you want a monologue with yourself, fair enough. Just say so and you can go back to talking in an empty room.

I wouldn't disagree with your second paragraph. We all know that, f'rinstance, Basketball only made a comeback in order to provide an easy gold medal for the US "Dream Team".

Be that as it may, it doesn't mean that the interests of the Middle America should, in practice, be the ONLY criteria. Other sports can lobby for inclusion and in the case of Rugby Union, it appears to have been successful.

Rather, I would hope that the Rugby Union of USA will grasp the nettle, take international participation seriously and set to task on becoming more competitive. "The Eagles" have been on the fringes of Rugby Union for some time now but in the Autumn, there was a full house at Soldier Field in Chicago to see USA vs New Zealand. The match resulted in the predicted rout but I think many Americans, who were experiencing watching Rugby Union for the first time were entertained and impressed by what they saw. I hope their appetite was whetted for more.

I'm glad Rugby Union is now an Olympic sport and I hope GB can do themselves proud. I would much rather though, that the team was representative of Great Britain as a whole. I'm not happy about the way the qualification criteria has been set.

It's not about the winning. It's about the taking part.

I reckon all the sports that make it into game deserve too be there in their own right. Rio does seem a bit of a strange games to be introducing RU to the program considering Brazil isn't exactly a Union strong hold but it does give countries like NZ and SA a stronger chance of featuring in the medals which would help the Olympics grow in those markets.

Ok jennifer, i am happy for you (and others) to express an opinion and it doesnt worry me at all if said opinions are significantly diferent to mine. If you had have said something like "i believe" or "in my opinion_ instead of just quoting wiki at me then things would have been clearer. You could even have said "i agree with the ioc's selection criteria which is" and then quoted wiki.

Anyway, i love rugby union but i still dont think it should be in the olympics. I think the olympics have moved too far away from wha they were originally meant to be. Yes it's about participating and winning at all costs should have no place at the olympics (or in any sporting event). But a large part of the olympics is about finding out who is best at a particular sport at that moment in time. The olympics should therefore be the pinnacle sporting competition for any sports taking place. How is it fair that rowers, track and field athletes, swimmers etc train and sacrifice for years just to give themselves the chance to do their best at the olympics which means everything to them when at the same time athletes from other sports dont really care how they go and dont even prepare specifically for the games? Ask any basketballer what would be the ultimate dream for them and it would be winning an NBA title, for tennis players its about the grand slams, for footballers it's the world cup, golfers it's the majors and for rugby players it's the rugby world cup...

Looking forward to the start of the 6 nations

Well, thank you so much for informing me that you're happy for me to express my opinion.... and one of my own, too..!! I'm so grateful to you for your kind permission.

I'm also thankful that you've shown this poor, old-world illiterate girl, who clearly doesn't know her place, how to make my posts, so that they meet with your exacting standards.

Am I allowed to make some comments about the Six Nations, please? After all, it is the competition that takes part in the bit of the world that I live in, although I'm quite sure that our cloth-eared, forward obsessed game, lacking the graceful, flowing running lines of the far superior southern hemisphere version, must seem very primitive to your lofty self.

I've typed up a piece about the 6N on my word processor when I've had a bit of time here and there, and I'd very much like to post it on here, although I can PM it to you first if you'd like to give it your approval. I wouldn't want to say anything out of turn again.

Thank you for your kind consideration in reading this. I look forward to your reply.

If I'm worthy.

Sarcasm is the lowest form of wit

so absurd that the draw for the RWC was made back on on 3 December 2012...for a comp that doesnt start until bloody mid september 2015!