Australian players deliberately slowing the ruck, says England coach Wayne Bennett
ENGLAND have compiled a dossier containing 26 incidents that show Australia deliberately slowing the ruck during the World Cup. See the pics here!
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ENGLAND coach Wayne Bennett has set the scene for a fiery World Cup final, calling for a Kangaroo crackdown amid claims Mal Meninga’s Australia are employing illegal spoiling tactics.
The Courier-Mail can reveal the English camp has compiled a dossier on Australia’s defence, detailing 26 incidents that show Kangaroos players deliberately slowing the ruck during the World Cup.
The “piggyback” tactic allegedly involves Kangaroos stars attacking ball carriers in numbers. Bennett is concerned Australia’s third defender has no interest in attempting to make a tackle, instead laying on top of a Kangaroos teammate to spoil the ruck and halt the opposition’s momentum.
The English believe the main culprits are Kangaroos forward trio Aaron Woods, Cameron Smith and Tyson Frizell.
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Bennett raised the matter with NRL referees boss Tony Archer after their tournament-opening 18-4 loss to Australia and warned officials not to let the Kangaroos ruin the World Cup final at Suncorp Stadium.
“All I want is a game of football out of this final. We want an opportunity to play some football,” Bennett said.
“There is a continued issue with the ruck. The ruck is slow — in fact it’s too slow.
“If the World Cup final is going to be the showcase of our sport, it’s important the refs are on their game and doing everything they can to create a good spectacle.”
Bennett was stunned by Smith’s public lashing of the match officials three weeks ago, when the Australian skipper threatened to slow the play-the-ball after their 34-0 defeat of Lebanon.
Bennett said the piggyback tactic should be penalised immediately in the World Cup decider and fears it could become a blight on the NRL next season.
“Australia just don’t do this, but the third guy in isn’t making any contact with the football,” he said.
“All the contact is with his teammate. It’s creeping in because refs won’t penalise it.
“There are always new trends in rugby league, but the latest trend is for the third man to come in and tackle his own man and slow the game down.
“It is bordering on late and they (Australia) are doing it while two bodies are already on the ballrunner.
“The third man just adds weight to the pile to stop the guy playing the ball. It’s unnecessary. It’s manipulating the system.”
The issue will add further spice to the rivalry between Bennett and Meninga, who smoked the peace-pipe earlier this year after falling out in the battle to coach Australia.
Kangaroos forward Matt Gillett dismissed suggestions Australia were flouting the rules, saying having one referee instead of two has affected all World Cup games.
“With the one ref, it slows things down a lot,” he said.
“It makes the ruck a bit slower and gives you a bit more time to pin guys down.
“It comes down to defending our tryline and having pride in points not getting scored. It’s going to be a big test, England like to throw the footy around.”
Originally published as Australian players deliberately slowing the ruck, says England coach Wayne Bennett
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