The L word

[WireMan]

Just calling it "league" is problematic as that word means other things. Aus and Kiwis are used to referring to it that way, but the sport is huge over there. As Srbin pointed out it would backfire completely anywhere else.

But it does need to be one word.. Kill off union, call it rugby

It wouldn't help the confusion to start, but eventually and with enough marketing it would make Union seem like the smaller code.

Afterall, League has as much right to be called Rugby as Union does.

Oh and call the world cup the Original Rugby World Cup.

 

[Mr_Ugly]

I will need to double check, but I'm pretty sure only France had to use Rugby XIII upon demands from the Vichy government as they didn't want it to be associated with Rugby Union. They believe the words Union and league didn't differentiate the two games enough. As far as I'm aware its a law that they're still stuck with to this day.

I think you'll find they weren't allowed to use the name 'rugby', and so called their game 'game of 13'. The law was changed a few years back.

BTW, we should never drop the word 'rugby'. It's part of our game and we've got as much, or more, right to it that union.

League is a variation of rugby - just happens to be by far the best version.

 

[bobmar28]

We need to drop the word rugby. It conjures up images of leather patches and private schools.

How about Super 13.

 

[Quidgybo]

Name the game after the ball - "Steeden". It is a name that is indelibly part of the game's history in Australia (the game's biggest support base) and is now the ball used across the world at the top level of the game. And it is every bit as unique and memorable as the name of other international sports like soccer, cricket, rugby, hockey etc. Now introducing Steeden, the greatest game of all.

Leigh.

 

[billy2]

Rugby XIII is a compromise, but life is a compromise.

As to the argument that some people would think it is a lesser code because of the name, I'd say the people who would do that are the people who do that now, and the people who currently don't know the game exists. All of us who know it's the superior code will continue to know that.

Rugby XIII would clearly show that the game is different in one of the most important ways, and give an intro for people in the know to then talk about the other differences.

This isn't a silver bullett that will instantly fix all our problems, but I think it's an obvious big step in the right direction.

 

[flamin]

As to the argument that some people would think it is a lesser code because of the name, I'd say the people who would do that are the people who do that now, and the people who currently don't know the game exists. All of us who know it's the superior code will continue to know that.

But people who hear of "Rugby XIII" will automatically think its a variation of "proper rugby" like Rugby 7s. Even if they think it's better they will still view it as inferior since it's not the "legit" version. The name has to show them that it's a different sport and not something under the IRB trademark.

 

[billy2]

But people who hear of "Rugby XIII" will automatically think its a variation of "proper rugby" like Rugby 7s. Even if they think it's better they will still view it as inferior since it's not the "legit" version. The name has to show them that it's a different sport and not something under the IRB trademark.

And these are the people who would otherwise just think we ARE Rugby Union.
You can't make random bystanders do a course in Rugby History, and there is no perfect phrase (unless you have one you want to share?) - so the only decent one people have come up with in 60 or 70 years would seem better than the status quo to me.
Those are our choices - go with something that works a bit - stick with something that doesn't work - or wait for divine inspiration to strike one of us.