The Mayan ball game certainly wins: the losing side all get their hearts ripped out. Now that was a sport for real men. What is intrinsically fascinating about trauma? I think it is a crying shame that David Pocock and Bismark du Plessis are out of the Championship because of injury. Both injuries, in addition to being terrible for the men injured, severely challenge their entire national side's chances. Yeah traumatic injuries happen. It is the dark - not the interesting - side of the games we follow. Mark L. @Andrew: Welcome back, mate. We've missed your insight and POV, as shown in your answer. Been in mourning over the state of the Force?

The aztec's version of football they had a hoop about 10m's from the ground and had to throw or kick it throw while getting the ball by tackling or something along those lines

I don't know, watching two oiled up, half naked blokes going hell for leather is pretty traumatic in my opinion. Edit Hi Mark, and thanks I've been away on holidays and (for better or worse) away from the computer. Just disappointed I missed out on rubbing it in after the Bledisloe on Saturday - it would be unsporting to do so now I suppose.... Ah well, next week!