Quote ="Dux"Firstly, kicking on tackle 3. I don't have a problem with this if it is done right (it worked a treat for Leeds and Kevin Sinfield in some of those rainy grand finals against us). But to be done right there needs to be an element of on-field thinking about it: if the side isn't gaining ground and the half back gets the ball at first receiver on tackle 3 and notices that there's clear space to kick into and turn the full-back, then fine - kick it. But with us at the moment it's clearly premeditated. When we start a set in our own 30 we already know (and so do our opponents) that we're going to kick on the 3rd/4th. That means that we're not responding to what's in front of us - we're just mindlessly punting it when it gets to the allotted tackle. Thus we see 3rd/4th tackle kicks going straight to the full back (unforgivable - if you sacrifice tackles for a kick it simply has to turn the full back) and even kicks on tackle 3 when we're in the opposition half, FFS.'"
Kicking early can be a great tactic. Remember Burns's 40/20 earlier in the season? But the whole point is that the wingers haven't dropped back, so its easy to find the ground, it takes time for the oppo to get back and collect it and its more likely to find touch.
If the opposition are waiting for it, they've dropped back the wingers, the fullback's deep, then you should be able to identify that, use the number advantage in the line to get the ball wide or even use Stevo's move of a little chip over. As you say though, everything is prescribed in advance and carried out no matter what's in front of them.
Our halves aren't there for their pace, they're there for their brains. They're just not using them.
metres and various other interpretations. Cunningham should be instructing his team how to adapt a bit better. He should also be teaching his team how to defend, attack and raise the intensity of a game when needed. The nearest Saints have been in 3 games is 10 points against Leeds. He needs to start accepting the limitations of his players and the limitations of his coaching ability.'"
