Quote Originally Posted by JJR View Post
I Share the sentiment that football/soccer is not a "true" Professional sport when looking at what is currently happening. Why? they get paid; but all the diving and milking for Cards and stuff...so unprofessional. Rugby is truly the Ultimate Professional Sport/test. Have to be a GYM bunny, have to recover from injuries/Niggles week in and week out....it goes on, Rugby is a truly awesome test for a Professional Sportsman.

Cricket...great palying it in the backyard; but you only really need talent to become a Pro...don't really find many athletes playing Cricket. No huge focus on Conditioning, which is bad, cos no matter what Sport you play Strong Conditioning in The Gym will make you better at what you do... A true Professional player should always be striving for improvement in all aspects...which i feel only Rugby forces out of those who want to be succesful in the Sport.

Football is close to Rugby in terms of being Professional on and off the field; but the diving and faking injuries must go!!!
I think you being a bit hard on footballers and cricketers here. Certainly cricket used to be as u have described, but the levels of fitness and conditioning over the past 10 years have greatly increased. I know we get the odd exception Ramesh Powar, but great emphasis is placed on fitness and conditioning especially with coaches like John buchanan, Gary Kirsten and Ray jennings. I definitely agree tho that its not at the same level as rugby\soccer but it does provide an advantage to u.
Test Cricket is no joke either for fast bowlers. The amount of strain the body goes through after every single delivery is massive and joints do take a pounding.

As for soccer, diving has been a major issue and turn off, but its not called the beautiful game for nothing, nor is it the biggest sport in the world by chance. You have the bad apples who take full advantage of the law and dive because it may give them the advantage. I think if u had to introduce citings\post match analysis; then it would cut out their attempts.

I love football soccer and rugby and long may SA's competitiveness continue.