David, the difference is simply that in union the requirements of making the ball available to the followers leaves the ball-carrier more susceptible to injury from a shoulder-charge. As a league player, you would used to tensing and dropping your centre of gravity to meet such a tackle head-on. A union player is instinctively likely to be swivelling at point of impact to turn the ball back.
so they did. the distinction is you are playing the man no the ball - its a fine distinction in a contact sport but it still exists
yup luckily im not a betting man 