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Why rugby fans have it best right now

 (Image via https://twitter.com/BBCScrumV)

Rugby is one of the most passionately followed sports in the world, with supporters from both the northern and southern hemisphere sticking with their respective teams through thick and thin, while also helping to add to the all-round rugby package with some passionate chanting and the like. Without fans, rugby simply wouldn’t be the same.

Of course, the same argument could be made for other sports, but not many of them treat fans in the same way that a rugby club does. For example, some Premier League fans have become disillusioned with the modern game of soccer and the money fans have to spend to attend games, the extortionate wages players are paid, and the constant issues around violence and abuse. Right now, soccer isn’t in a good place and fans feel further away from their clubs than ever before. In comparison, rugby fans are turning up in their numbers to support their favourite players and, on the whole, have a great day out at a major rugby match-up. But what makes rugby so special compared to other sports at the moment and why do rugby fans have it so good? Let’s take a look below.

The match experience

Although rugby fans are tribal to a certain extent, they don’t let it ruin the match day experience with vulgar abuse or violence. Even in some of the biggest matches in the world, there is rarely a massive security presence in the stadium. Rugby fans are trusted to get on and behave well, and although there have been a few isolated incidents over the years, it’s nothing compared to some other sports out there. Fans tend to mix with each other, debate key issues in sport, have some friendly banter before kick-off, compare sports bets for the day, and everything else inbetween. As an overall experience, attending a rugby fixture is a brilliant day out. It’s not too expensive either.

The money

 When assessing the climate in the soccer world or even in other sports like boxing, the money being exchanged between professionals, managers, trainers and clubs is ridiculous. In turn, this has left fans feeling disenfranchised with certain aspects of their particular sport. Essentially, the heroes they know and love aren’t relatable anymore and you can’t get their autographs or mix with them in the bar after the game either. In comparison, many rugby clubs encourage their players to engage with fans after games. The players are also more respectful and in touch with their fans as they’re not swept away by the riches that have engulfed many other sports. Not all rugby players are perfect, of course, and there are some concerns over big-spending domestic clubs, but overall the money in rugby is tiny compared to other sports which, in turn, has left both the fans and the players singing off the same hymn sheet.

The respect

(Image via https://twitter.com/BeWarmers)

The respect between the fans stems from the evident respect on show from the players during the on-the-pitch action. For instance, when assessing other sports, tennis players regularly blow up at umpires and soccer players abuse referees and even occasionally fans. On the rugby pitch, however, players have the decency to show both their opponent and the referee a degree of respect in both defeat and victory. There are rarely issues between players and although referees are occasionally challenged – which is healthy – it never oversteps the mark. If the respect in rugby was lost somehow, the game would turn ugly.

The grit

 Footballers dive, tennis players moan at decisions, and boxers pull out of fights due to disputes over money. None of this can be levelled at rugby players, who are excellent professionals on the whole and showcase their grit and determination ahead of anything else. For fans, it’s refreshing to see.

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