Favourite Rugby event?

Thought it would be good to see what people class as their favourite rugby event from across the globe. What gets you the most excited? What would you spend all your money on to go and see? What is the one thing you try and never miss?

Do you like watching your pro team week in week out, seeing how your team developes and the mix of young guys and established stars? Or is it the Heineken cup - the do or die matches, the last minute kicks to win a game, the ultimate prize in club rugby. Then we get to the internationals, the 6 nations every year or the Tri nations -the drama, excitement, passion and emotion!

Or is the the one off's, then ones that don't come round very often - World cups and Lions tours?

Will be good to see what everyone thinks!

My choice would be a Lions tour. Maybe because as a Scottish rugby fan we don't often get success, so I see joining up with all the other nations as the best chance I can have of supporting someone successful!

It's far more than that though for me - the hype leading up to the squad announcment, the mass debate about why there aren't enough Scotsman, the interviews, press releases and little snippets about how things are in the camp.

And then there's the tour itself - waiting for the team selections and getting up at crazy times to watch the games. The drama of the 3 tests then the mass disappointment when things go badly.

The thing that I really love though is the end of tour DVD - the one where you can see all the personalities and what the players and coaches are really like. You get to see all the training, emotional speeches and fantastic banter!

Personal favourite on the DVDs - Doctor James Robson, that guy is an absolute legend!

I actually can't choose!

I love the Heineken, tis just unique and magic and my side the Scarlets have been involved in some amazing matches.

Then you've got the 6N's, and all that history that goes with it, the rivalry, just the sheer emotion...amazing.

The World Cup....just brilliant. The emotions I go through watching my team, out there on the world stage, tis pretty hard to beat it actually.

The Lions....re found my love for this in 2009. It really is special but in a different way to the others.

Honestly can't pick.

Boo!

I do see your point though it is a tough question - but for me its a lions tour no doubt!

MY favourite event is not on the list, but I suppose you can put it under the Tri Nations.

SA vs all Blacks, Ellispark

My home stadium, I am as nervous as hell, sick to my stomach and as excited as a teenager going on his first date with the hottest babe in school.

Personally I love the 6 nations. I just can't get anywhere near as excited for the other events. I love the history and the tradition of it even when quite often the rugby isn't great quality. It is always great drama and entertainment

Six Nations for me too.

rugbydreamer wrote:I actually can't choose!

Me neither!

Actually if you'd asked me a year ago I'd have said the 6N hands down!

However the RWC was such an emotional rollercoaster, this 6N has almost seemed flat by comparison...except it hasn't really as the matches have been fantastic!

For rugby quality and competitiveness the HEC maybe is the best for me, very few one sided games, top teams and players and the group stages usually go right down to the last weekend to be decided. This year has been magical from an Irish perspective and could get better!

And then there's the lions!

They are all special in their own way!

For all you fence sitters out there I've added another option!

If they find it too hard to pick Ozzy, then they aren't focused enough.

HK 7s

AsLongAsBut100ofUs wrote:HK 7s

... Oh, you are serious?

Sorry.

biltongbek wrote: I am as nervous as hell, sick to my stomach and as excited as a teenager going on his first date with the hottest babe in school.

aaaaahhh....those were the days biltong...

World cup for me...mainly because we've underperformed there...besides that the two we hosted were rugby plus- more about the people getting involved at the ground level. Volunteers, schools etc- a real festival atmosphere.

-First home game of a new domestic season.

-Ospreys v Scarlets.

-6 Nations.

-HC game against 'big side from the jeff.'

-Lions tour.

-Tri Nations.

-Rugby WC.

Could you add the Rugby 7's?

I've only been to Edinburgh and London but it's a great weekends entertainment and you won't find another tournament even remotely similar.

And in the future I can go and watch it in Vegas!

Rugby and Vegas, what's not to like about that?

Having being enthralled by it for yonks now, it used be the 5/6-N. Then, came the RWC. Still a damp-squib, due to the monopoly of the top 8 and the in-built bias afforded them by the IRB. That needs to change to make it credible.

But, the HC blows em both out the water for the sheer excitement, quality and commitment by fans and players alike.

Its the best comp on the Planet. No other comes even near now.

Rubbish. The World Darts Championship has more colour and excitement.

Kentwell Cup would get my vote... purely for the steak sandwiches.

Added the 7s!

RDW_Scotland wrote:Added the 7s!

I wouldn't bother, RDW, according to biltong you can't be serious and enjoy the occasion that is the 7s!

hk sevens great place , great rugby and massive party weekend .
Recommended

Linebreaker, I'm excited about my first Kentwell Cup this year!! I'm playing and coaching!!!

Tough to choose, but I do love the 6Nations...

MonkeyOwain12 wrote:Linebreaker, I'm excited about my first Kentwell Cup this year!! I'm playing and coaching!!!

Tough to choose, but I do love the 6Nations...

so you mix with the best of them... great to hear Monkey!

I do try!!

Any event that means club rugby;not franchished,fix-the number-of games-for club,-and region rugby.rugby where clubs still exist at the highest level,England/France,and where the spectator goes to see what the locals have put together, rather than the powers that be wishing to dominate nationally, The HCup level is all calculated in the Rabo fashion.12 FRANCHISES ,6 qualified for Europe Celtic rugby has no sword of Damocles, play crap, you'll still be here..Aviva,Top14 ,26 clubs,12 qualified plus 2 That means money,and that is the number 1 argument thrown at French CLUBS,being rich.And why/ Cos they are'n't a stupid as others.OK,some clubs like Toulon, are OAP sanctuaries, but the boss works in comic books

OK I much prefer to go an watch Rugby Club Mezinais than any national side.

I used to rate the 5/6N above all but i am now more excited by the HC. Much more open and exciting games there. Its has something for everyone

All events has their good days and bad days. Good rugby played, bad rugby played. I've seen as many bad games at WC, at HC and at 6N level as I have at League level. The standards of badness might have been up or down a grade but badness is still badness.

I've also seen disinterest (not the proper intensity) at WCs, 6N and HC level.

So, I can't really rate events so distinctly, I'd rather say I watch as much of all as I can and the Game itself is the one. It can hit you anytime, anywhere, in any competition. The game being played.

Either the sheer beauty and effortlessness of one side over another or the fascinating heavy hitting power of certain sides; or the ragged, dirty punch-drunk stalemate of two equal sides waiting for a weakness. If I get a game that grips me, then for that 80 minutes the competiton it belongs to is the one for me.

I generally prefer internationals because its usually a collection of better players so the quality of the rugby is higher.

I love tests against the big teams because of the challenge.

BUT the trinations has been overdone recently with too many games against the same teams so I can't put trinations.

Beating SA in SA is the best thing possible! - sorry Biltong - by the way bought some the other day at the local market - yummy!

Ngan, no problems mate, the feeling is mutual.

Beating the all blacks is the best feeling in rugby. By a long shot.

Munster Senior cup circa mid 80's anyone?

Thats a decent call DOD

HCup

Heineken Cup. It has the most variety. Brilliant fans from 6 different nations. The teams are a bit less familiar with each other, which tends to produce more exciting rugby. The group stages are really exciting and usually go down to the last weekend, with all fans getting the calculators out to figure out the permutations. The knock out rounds have been exceptionally high quality in the last few years.

I admit that the fact that Leinster have won 2 of the last 3 makes it easier for me to like it. But I think it would be my favourite anyway. I loved it before Leinster had ever won it. It's the best rugby comp in the world in my opinion. I think it's probably more loved here in Ireland than anywhere else. It really captured the imagination of the public here from very early on. And that passion from the fans drives the Irish teams desire to win it.

Good lord - I wasn't expecting anyone to say that they found club rugby more exciting than full internationals.

The 6N happens every year, whereas the rarity and unique nature of the Lions makes it the most special for me. The constant feeling that the players in each new tour are standing on the shoulders of past giants of the NH game makes it special, as is the cauldron of test series rugby.

Will never forget Ieuan Evans stripping Campese of the ball for the series win, the Guscott drop goal, Toonie's brilliance, the footage of Broon and WJM standing like lighthouses waiting for the ball to come in from the side and the agony of Steyn's second test winner.

Sometimes I can't remember a thing about the 6N matches a quarter of an hour after I snap the telly off.

Old style Full Length Tours,I was Lucky enough to personally see matches live 1953-4 and 1963-4 AllBlacks,1958 Wallabies and 1960-1 Spring boks when they toured UK.