NRL's kick-blocker crackdown changes the game - but the question is do we want that?
NRL kickers are under more pressure than ever. But what will the knock-on effects of the new crack-down be?
A serious elbow injury to Wests Tigers skipper Robbie Farah soured their 16-4 NRL win over North Queensland on Saturday night in front of a paltry crowd at Campbelltown Sports Stadium.
Farah scored one try and laid on another before leaving the field in the 78th minute with a dislocated right elbow.
Wests Tigers medical staff managed to pop the elbow back into place immediately on the field.
Just 6456 fans saw the home side record their fourth victory of the season in a scrappy game that never reached any great heights.
Six days earlier, a crowd of 16,311 cheered the Tigers to a superb victory over Manly in terrible weather conditions at Leichhardt Oval.
The Cowboys opened the scoring in the 28th minute when centre Brent Tate crossed out wide after a crossfield run by five-eighth and co-captain Johnathan Thurston.
Wests Tigers drew level in the 38th minute when Farah scooted out from dummy-half to brush off second-rower Jason Taumalolo.
Winger Pat Richards converted to give the Tigers a 6-4 lead at halftime.
Farah laid on his side’s second try when a grubber kick bounced off the shoulder of Cowboys lock Tariq Sims and hit the upright.
The ball bounced into the arms of club debutant Blake Austin to score under the posts in the 46th minute and Richards converted for a handy 12-4 advantage.
Wests Tigers centre Tim Simona was denied a try in the 67th minute after falling short of the line. The result was put beyond doubt in the next set of six when Farah showed the ball in a crossfield run to send Richards over.
Young Wests Tigers fullback Kurtis Rowe, replacing the injured James Tedesco, suffered a hip injury early in the second half in his NRL debut.
Rowe, who last season worked as a merchandise assistant in the Wests Tigers’ retail shop at Concord Oval, was solid under the high ball after a nervous start.
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NRL kickers are under more pressure than ever. But what will the knock-on effects of the new crack-down be?
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