6 reasons to watch rugby league

4) Varied kicking game

Kicking is an effective tactic in rugby league

Union is known to the league folk as, ‘kick and clap’ and this is due to the sometimes obscene amount of kicking that is taking place. It’s as if having the ball is a bad thing in rugby union. League, of course, involves kicking but it seems far more varied.

Grubber kicks, up and under, cross-field, chips, 40/20’s and drilled kicks are some of the different sorts that can be used. Due to the six tackle rule a team cannot just pick and go and take time and use phase after phase. They must express themselves, create an opportunity or just put their opponent under pressure.

Grubber kicking close to the line, a cross-field kick to a winger close to the line, drilling it into the corner to pin your opponent back and or to run the clock down, a 40/20 to gain territory and gain a new set of six tackles, they’re all there for a purpose.

Union, of course, has wonderful kickers but it seems limited to punting for territory or an up and under. When have you seen grubbers near the line? A cross-field kick which isn’t a guaranteed try? A cheeky kick in behind from play of the ball? It’s rare.

When it comes to goal kicking, league is weak but that can change but when it comes to kicking in play, despite what is said, league is more varied and therefore creative.