Richard Hunt

Cider Maker @huntscider. Farmer @broadleighfarm. Rugby @paigntonrugby

[The Rugby Philosopher @rugbyphilosophy]

Rugby League is more marketable than Rugby Union. But it’s not because of scrums.

With all this talk about "depowering" scrums to "save" the game, we need to have an honest conversation about what actually makes rugby marketable.

Let’s be real. Rugby League is objectively more marketable to a global audience. It’s streamlined. It’s high-speed. There is zero nuance. You run, you get tackled, you stand up, you do it 5 more times. You turn the ball over.

A few years back took some American family members to Eden Park to watch the Blues vs the Stormers. If you thought they'd like the tries, the wide passes, the highlight reels, well then you (like me) were wrong.

They spent the entire first half staring at Eben Etzebeth.

They watched two 130kg men grab another 120kg man by the hem of his shorts and launch him into the air to catch a ball. They couldn't believe it. To an outsider, a lineout isn't "dead time" it’s a hook, an attraction, a moment that sets our game apart from the rest.

When it came to scrums, they didn't care about "binding" or "hinging." They didn't even care about the number of resets. They were simply mesmerised by 8 absolute units pushing with all their might against 8 more. Men with thighs the size of an ordinary human's entire body, contorting themselves into some sort of human tank and smashing themselves into the other forward pack.

And finally, my family was baffled by the "hooligan's game played by gentlemen" culture of rugby. They saw 23 guys spend 80 minutes trying to physically destroy each other, only to hug and sit down for a beer afterwards. No trash talk. No "look at me" celebrations. Just a handshake and a "thanks, sir" to the ref.

Rugby shouldn't try to compete with League on "simplicity." We will lose.

Instead, we should market what sets us apart.

Market the fact that we lift giants into the air. Market the 200kg squats. Market the fact that we have 1 tonne of human muscle machine pushing against another tonne. And market the fact when all is said and done, our heros shake hands, drink beer, and hang out with each other's families.

These are the moments that decides the fate of nations. These are the moments that make our game like no other.

[James Melville 🚜 @JamesMelville]

Rishi Sunak was a largely forgettable Prime Minister, but he was absolutely spot on regarding his prediction of what would happen if Keir Starmer became Prime Minister.

[Richard Hunt @CiderRichard]

@thepaulwilliams I haven’t Paul. I cancelled my TNT subscription and paid £70 to watch Premier Sports this year.

Though the last 3 matches have been excellent!

[Richard Hunt @CiderRichard]

@CoxD88 Exactly!

[Richard Hunt @CiderRichard]

@rugbyontnt @ugomonye @dannycare It’s a penalty against LCD in the ‘community’ game for a late dip

[Richard Hunt @CiderRichard]

@ChampionsCup @Investec @UBBrugby What’s with the Zebra?

[Richard Hunt @CiderRichard]

@rugbyontnt @premrugby 2/2

Grassroots Rugby has to continue to build it’s own culture which is unique from club to club, based on the constraints they are presented with.

[Richard Hunt @CiderRichard]

@rugbyontnt @premrugby Professional Rugby’s biggest mistake is trying to ape professional football both on and off the pitch. They have to continue to build their own culture which is unique to the sport.

Grassroots Rugby’s biggest mistake is trying to ape professional Rugby both on and off the pitch

[Richard Hunt @CiderRichard]

@rugbyontnt @premrugby What a load of rubbish. Terrible idea. Trying to manufacture divisions amongst rugby supporters!

[Richard Hunt @CiderRichard]

Allez Les Rouge et Noir

[Richard Hunt @CiderRichard]

@Oom_Rugby @ilona_maher is class. A Superstar!

[Richard Hunt @CiderRichard]

@stephenjones9 @timesonline @STSport Lovely to read the bit about the Gosford - Maidenhead Colts match. Grassroots rugby ‘s finest.

[EK Rugby Analysis @ek_rugby]

Scenario: You are in your own 22, 3 attackers vs 4 defenders. Do you?

A: Minimise risk and kick long
B: Carry back towards your support and set up a ruck
C: No really, let's play safe, don't even think about it
D: Do a Fijian Drua

#HURvDRU

[Richard Hunt @CiderRichard]

@CharlieFelix I played in the U-21 Prem league from 1999-2002. No idea what the cost was. Lots of future internationals playing in it.

[Richard Hunt @CiderRichard]

@lionsofficial Ruprecht!

[Richard Hunt @CiderRichard]

@lionsofficial 😍

[Richard Hunt @CiderRichard]

@NoContextBrits This headline may be doing a disservice to Syria and North Korea

[Paignton Rugby Club @PaigntonRFC]

🔥🔥🔥

[Richard Hunt @CiderRichard]

@thepaulwilliams I’m all in on this @thepaulwilliams. Goodbye @tntsports, goodbye @SkySportsRugby. Hello @PremSportsTV