NewsBiscuit

The craze for singalong Abba musicals has spread to the traditionally macho world of Rugby League, where mud-covered players now regularly break off from tackling and kicking to sing 1970s hits from the Swedish supergroup. ‘It’s part of an experiment to make the sport more entertaining’ explained Bradford Bulls coach Steve McNamara. ‘Rugby League has always sought to be fast-moving and innovative, and getting the players to suddenly burst into camp easy-listening hits of yesteryear is just moving with the times.’

Ever since the release of the hit film Mamma Mia! the songs of Abba have been enjoying a major revival, with pubs organizing special Karoake nights and cinemas advertising special singalong screenings. But it is believed that Rugby League is the first competitive sport to decide to break off from the physical action to allow the players to sing the hits of Benny and Bjorn. ‘Some of the fans were a bit bemused to honest’ said McNamara. ‘But it brings in a different crowd. We’re getting fewer old blokes in cloth caps, but more parties of middle-aged women on a girl’s night out.’

However some diehard traditionalist Rugby League fans are firmly against the latest innovation. ‘It’s bloody ridiculous,’ said Reg Halworth, 56, who supports St Helens. We were 21-19 down in a crucial match against Leeds Rhinos when we got a penalty kick. So what did they do? Put the ball down and sang bloody ‘Dancing Queen.’ Then the ref blew for the final whistle and we’d lost.’

But now the governing body of several sports are said to be considering the same move, including Ice Hockey, Sumo Wrestling and Gaelic Football. Football’s Premier League is currently resisting the move, despite lobbying from Roy Keane who says it worked really well during pre-season training, with some great medleys between Chimbonda and Malbranque.

NewsBiscuit

Posted: Sep 18th, 2008 by NewsBiscuit