Ex-Castleford star says rugby league needs to emulate rugby union tactic

There are often questions about the relationship between rugby union and rugby league.

It has been suggested in the past that rugby union is becoming more like rugby league but now there has been a suggestion from former Castleford and Great Britain man Graham Steadman that rugby league can become more like union in one aspect.

“I think when I look at tight games in League, I don’t think there’s enough emphasis put on goal kicking,” he said on BBC Five Live.

“I see these key invariables in stand-offs in union, like doing the goal-kicking, and the amount of time they put in after the session is complete as a squad, on their own in isolation, to actually then get their stats up to 80-85% success.

“I think it’s something the league players can have a good look at. Also when I see league players kicking for territory and field position, I think their execution of kicks and hitting that sweet spot can certainly be improved.

“I’ve had a chat over at York recently with Lindsay, the head coach of the women’s team, with a view to going over there and doing a little bit of work with the girls over there. She’s open to that and I’m going to follow it through.”

Kevin Brown added: “I think the kicking it used to make me pull me earn out when you know you’d have lads practicing short dropouts or you know just messing around after training rather than actually working on something that is a fundamental skill for them.

“I think sometimes it’s not just the goal kicking after the try, it’s obviously the penalty kicks as well, when sometimes you look and they think, no, I’ve not that in me.”