As I watch those games I see many mistakes by the AB's. The first 5/8th is the key player, he must be watching closely the opposition, especially the fullback and wings and not to punt the ball to them. He has done this on many occasions, thereby losing possession; a team cannot win a game without the ball! When the first five receives the ball from his half-back when in his own 22, it is essential to find touch with a long low spiral, torpedo kick, as when the ball bounces it goes end over end in a straight line, they pass the ball this way, so kick it the same!
The three coaches are not teaching this vital method to team members, along with other important points. Too many times the backs kick an ‘up and under', usually a waste, as they lose possession again. A ‘lob' pass is dangerous, as we have seen many times, as they can, and have been intercepted, giving away a bonus five or seven points! (Our Dan did this in the French game!).
The chief referee P O'Brien has not done his job correctly when instructing his understudies, he should have enforced that illegal tackling is a no-no, e.g. above the shoulders, no hip or shoulder jolts, and no sprig gouging! If the other team offends, they will be penalised – or should be!
Rugby League is a more brutal game than Union; sooner or later, someone will be very seriously injured. It seems that League is degenerating into a ‘no holes barred' contest, with the refs wearing blinkers!
Ernest Izett, Tauranga.