Comparison of rugby league and rugby union Wales, Queensland and the Australian Capital Territory. The same perceived class barrier as exists between the two games in England also occurs in these states, fostered by rugby union's prominence and support at private schools. In New Zealand, rugby league is still considered to be a lower class game by many, or a game for "westies" referring to lower class western suburbs of Auckland and more recently the poorer southern Auckland where the game is popular. It is also popular on the West Coast of New Zealand. In France, rugby union is widely played and has a strong tradition in
Wales A national rugby union team Wales A national rugby union team The Wales A team were the second national rugby union team behind the Welsh national side. They have not played a game since April 2002. On 20 February 2003, the Welsh Rugby Union were given permission to withdraw from the "A" team Six Nations Championship, citing costs as the primary reason. In September 2007 it was reported that the union turned down an offer to enter a "Wales A" side into the 2008 Churchill Cup competition. In August 2011, an agreement was reached between the Welsh Rugby Union and the Welsh Rugby Players Association