I think its a common place failing among a lot of teams and coaches and if you had taken the two on several occ at Wembley it may have been a diff outcome. I am a big snooker fan and an enthusiastic club snooker player, and if an easy yellow is on offer to continue my break I wont try a difficult black

It would be interesting to see how many times we have scored a try following turning down the 2 at possible crucial times just lately. After the shoulder charge penalty the set of 6 we had was terrible and a total waste. At times our goal line attack looks clueless.



For me some of the "lesser teams" we would expect to win against they actually fancy beating us. Subsequently they turn up with more enthusiasm and their confidence grows as the game goes on. We struggle to be willing to go back to basics in these games, unwilling to put the hard work in to build field position and be patient.



I don't think we're a million miles off though and a slight tweak and the odd improved player added and we will get there.

Unfair on Whiting. He's not a kicker, he knows it and we know it, but as part of his Jack of All Trades profile he's the next best thing we have.



I'll bet my house he's far from comfortable about taking on the kicking duties and would be delighted to off-load the responsibility onto someone else. Being the character he is, though, and willing to do anything he can to contribute to the team, much in the same way as he will play out of position anywhere he's asked if the coach needs him to do so, he's put up his hand to attempt the kicks 'cos no-one else can. He should be praised for this unwelcome commitment, not lambasted when he proves he's no Tickle.



Westy was generally accepted as the best kicker at the club but, unlike Whiting, asked to be relieved of the duties. Now, I don't know if this was a confidence issue, him being aware that every nuance of his performances were scrutinized by the fans early on in the season after mutterings about his commitment at the end of last season and through the off. Or perhaps he wanted to concetrate on his loose forward role with no distractions.



Both understandable reasons. But, as one of our best players this season, his LF role cemented and his performances lauded unanimously, his confidence must be high at present. Is it time to ask him to step up to take the goals again?



Either way, neither Whiting nor Westerman are the long-term solution for this crucial role. Games shouldn't be won or lost by the number of goals kicked, but the reality is that they are. Two crucial games nicked by last minute drop goals, a sigh every time we score more than 10 yards from the sticks, we can't carry on like this. Bugger the half back conundrum, we a need a kicker more than anything else, imo

eusa_clap.gif" alt="eusa_clap.gif" title="CLAP" /> Quote ="WormInHand"Unfair on Whiting. He's not a kicker, he knows it and we know it, but as part of his Jack of All Trades profile he's the next best thing we have. I'll bet my house he's far from comfortable about taking on the kicking duties and would be delighted to off-load the responsibility onto someone else. Being the character he is, though, and willing to do anything he can to contribute to the team, much in the same way as he will play out of position anywhere he's asked if the coach needs him to do so, he's put up his hand to attempt the kicks 'cos no-one else can. He should be praised for this unwelcome commitment, not lambasted when he proves he's no Tickle. Westy was generally accepted as the best kicker at the club but, unlike Whiting, asked to be relieved of the duties. Now, I don't know if this was a confidence issue, him being aware that every nuance of his performances were scrutinized by the fans early on in the season after mutterings about his commitment at the end of last season and through the off. Or perhaps he wanted to concetrate on his loose forward role with no distractions. Both understandable reasons. But, as one of our best players this season, his LF role cemented and his performances lauded unanimously, his confidence must be high at present. Is it time to ask him to step up to take the goals again? Either way, neither Whiting nor Westerman are the long-term solution for this crucial role. Games shouldn't be won or lost by the number of goals kicked, but the reality is that they are. Two crucial games nicked by last minute drop goals, a sigh every time we score more than 10 yards from the sticks, we can't carry on like this. Bugger the half back conundrum, we a need a kicker more than anything else, imo'"

eusa_clap.gif" alt="eusa_clap.gif" title="CLAP" /> Quote ="WormInHand"Unfair on Whiting. He's not a kicker, he knows it and we know it, but as part of his Jack of All Trades profile he's the next best thing we have. I'll bet my house he's far from comfortable about taking on the kicking duties and would be delighted to off-load the responsibility onto someone else. Being the character he is, though, and willing to do anything he can to contribute to the team, much in the same way as he will play out of position anywhere he's asked if the coach needs him to do so, he's put up his hand to attempt the kicks 'cos no-one else can. He should be praised for this unwelcome commitment, not lambasted when he proves he's no Tickle. Westy was generally accepted as the best kicker at the club but, unlike Whiting, asked to be relieved of the duties. Now, I don't know if this was a confidence issue, him being aware that every nuance of his performances were scrutinized by the fans early on in the season after mutterings about his commitment at the end of last season and through the off. Or perhaps he wanted to concetrate on his loose forward role with no distractions. Both understandable reasons. But, as one of our best players this season, his LF role cemented and his performances lauded unanimously, his confidence must be high at present. Is it time to ask him to step up to take the goals again? Either way, neither Whiting nor Westerman are the long-term solution for this crucial role. Games shouldn't be won or lost by the number of goals kicked, but the reality is that they are. Two crucial games nicked by last minute drop goals, a sigh every time we score more than 10 yards from the sticks, we can't carry on like this. Bugger the half back conundrum, we a need a kicker more than anything else, imo'"

It's ok after a game when we've been beat by a point saying take the 2..the players didn't know at the time how the game would take shape..we would be complaining that we are like a yawnion side if we take a kick at goal all the time & boring..if you have played rugby yourselves you sense when is the time to slow the game down & take the 2..& a time to go for the jugular! Imo