Derek Beaumont hits back at angry rugby union

Leigh Leopards owner Derek Beaumont took a shot at Rugby Union after the World Cup semi-final between England and South Africa.

He used his criticism of that game to promote the match between England and Tonga the following day.

Beaumont, who is always out spoken, said the following in Saturday night:

“For anyone still yawning after being hypnotised to sleep by foot tennis with a rugby ball. I have the perfect anecdote! Watch England take on Tonga at 2.30 this afternoon for fast explosive and entertaining rugby!”

This promoted a lot of criticism from Rugby Union fans who claimed the games are the same.

Beaumont retaliated with: “I am certain they are not completely different games! They have try’s and conversions play with the same shaped ball have to pass it backwards I could go on but then I wouldn’t want to be a cretin.

“Apart from passing and catching? Add kicking add both have pass backwards tackling technique is same that’s why they have RL coached for defence both games have same posts for scoring both score try’s and take conversions both play for 80 minutes both have in goal areas both have knock ons both have high tackles both have sin bins and both have the same objective to get the ball over the other persons line. The main differences are 15 players not 13 so no space and don’t have to hand the ball over after 6 tackles and don’t have retreat ten metres and that’s why union is foot tennis with a rugby ball simple as!”

England’s series against Tonga will see them take them on at Huddersfield Giants’ John Smith’s Stadium as well as a third test at Leeds Rhinos’ AMT Headingley Stadium.