The Great Debate Begins...

THIS weekend the first round of the expanded Super 14 competition kicks off. Of particular interest to many will (in Australia at least) will be new team Western Force playing the ACT Brumbies at home, while the Queensland Reds host the NSW Waratahs at the Ground Formerly Known As Lang Park.
The 'Tahs have never won in Brisbane in the old Super 12; mind you they had never beaten Queensland full stop until last year.
But this post isn't about that.
No, with the start of the Super 14 signalling we're about to hit colder weather, it's time to dust off the old arguments as to which is the better football code.
Given that you're never going to be able to get a cross-section of people to agree on what's the better code (unless they're all from Victoria), SAJ Stuff is now proud to present the pros, cons and otherwise about the major football codes...

Australian Rules Football
A strange game originally invented to keep cricketers fit during the winter. Described as "aerial ping-pong" by those from north of the Murray, the object of the game is to kick an oval ball between some posts. Points scored depend on which set of posts you kick it through.
Strengths: Is a fast-moving, sometimes very free-flowing game. Players need to be able to catch a ball, run with a ball and kick a ball, sometimes all at once.
Weaknesses: In wetter conditions can resemble a game of "stacks on" rather than a skillful ball game. Some also bemoan the lack of really big hits, and the fact that with four posts to kick between, Aussie rules is the only code where you get points for missing. Lack of representative games at highest level also hurts.
Trivia: The Melbourne Australian Rules Football Club is reckoned to be the oldest football club - of any code - in the world.

Rugby League
A professional version of rugby union set up largely because union was amateur for a great many years. Going great guns in Australia until Rupert Murdoch's Super League came and ballsed things up in 1995. Players try to put the ball over the opposition line for a try.
Strengths: Easily the most popular (in terms of crowd support and TV numbers) of the football codes in NSW and Queensland. Big hits, especially in the State of Origin, always provide a highlight. Recent improvements by New Zealand finally give Australia some competition.
Weaknesses: Game seems to have a problem with players and alcohol combining then ganging up on XX-chromosoned people. Short-sightedness during the Super League era meant that teams in Perth and Adelaide had three and two years respectively in which to start making finals. They didn't, so they got cut, leaving league fans bewildered. Recent improvements by New Zealand means they can now win things and gloat even more when they beat Australia.
Trivia: Former Australian cricket great Victor Trumper helped form the NSW Rugby League back in 1908 as players looked to play a game where they would be paid compensation if they were injured.

Rugby Union
Newly professional game trying to shake off its amateur roots. Has grown in Australia recently, as shown by the newly-formed Western Force entering the expanded Super 14 competition. A code where winning the World Cup actually means something. Like rugby league, players try to plant the ball over the opposition line, although the English prefer to get someone like Jonny Wilkinson to kick it over the crossbar every time the other teams fouls.
Strengths: This is a truly multi-national sport. Australia (twice), New Zealand, South Africa and England have all won the World Cup, with Wales, France, Ireland and Argentina below them. The Super 12 competition attracted a lot of fans, with more expected with the expanded comp.
Weaknesses: Recent losses by the Wallabies means that it's not just the Poms and Kiwis laughing at us: it's the Welsh, French and South Africans as well. Game can be very boring when teams just go for the three points for a penalty as opposed to the potential seven for a try and conversion (not pointing the finger at anyone, but the English know who they are).
Trivia: In the World Cup teams play for the William Webb Ellis Trophy, which is named after the bloke who got jack of playing soccer, picked the ball up and began running with it, an event considered the birth of rugby.

Soccer
Yes, I know most countries call it football, but when you've got another three codes of football it's a good idea to differentiate between them. Soccer is played by so many countries that to even make the World Cup is an achievement in itself (just ask the Socceroos!).
Strengths: With so many countries playing, it's easy for a half-decent player to travel the world, plying his/her trade. Also the hardest World Cup to win - only teams from Europe and South America have actually managed it. Also benefits from being so easy to play - all you need is a kickable round ball.
Weaknesses: Some players appear to be under the misapprehension that they're trying out for national diving squads by jumping three metres in the air every time someone's foot gets near their own. Others pretend they're Mafia bosses by surrounding the ref every time a decision goes against them.
Trivia: Much to the disbelief of every Englishman, the last time Australia and England played the Socceroos ran out 3-1 winners. In England. The English also failed to get past the might of Northern Ireland in 2005, losing 1-0 in Belfast.

So there you have it folks: all the facts. So which is the better code? Post the best comment and you could win some hearty congratulations...