An American in Leeds- Rhinos edition

First, thank you to everyone who gave me suggestions for things to do in Leeds.
Leeds Rhinos beat Hull KR 12 August 2016 PC: Karen RuizLeeds Rhinos beat Hull KR 12 August 2016 PC: Karen Ruiz
Leeds Rhinos beat Hull KR 12 August 2016 PC: Karen Ruiz

I’ve decided to make a list of all the things I should try to get done before leaving and start checking them off one-by-one

One person suggested that I go to a Leeds Rhinos game - which is something I’ve actually already done. I went to see the Rhinos beat Hull KR 22-18 on the 12th of August. Knowing absolutely nothing about rugby going in, I had essentially no expectations, but with nothing else to do my roommate and I went for the experience.

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For the most part the game was easy enough to follow. I never completely understood what was happening, but at the least I could tell the direction that the teams needed to run the ball. From there, the crowd’s reaction let me know the rest and indicated when I should cheer or look disappointed.

Very generally speaking, the game isn’t too much different from American football. The ball has similar parameters and it consists of men running from one side of the field to the other and tackling each other. Scoring seems to be somewhat similar too, with a try looking something like a touchdown awarding the most points, and a kick into the other team’s end zone (field goal) for fewer points.

However, rugby is significantly faster-paced than American football, which I think makes it a lot less boring and easier to pay attention to. Also, the game is just as brutal as far as the intensity with which the players hit each other, but unlike American football the players aren’t wearing huge helmets and pads. So watching the players hit and tackle each other with no sort of bodily protection was somewhere between impressive and intimidating.

At the end of the day, I don’t know that I will be rushing back to see another rugby game. That being said, I did enjoy the game that I went to see, and I’m glad I got that experience.

Plus, I couldn’t very well have left England without seeing a single rugby game, now could I?

Now that I’ve gotten one thing crossed off of my list, what should I do next?