The Kiwis pack are renowned for their rugged, tackle-breaking approach. Forwards who intimidate the opposition with monster hits and ball players, like Sonny Bill Williams, who can offload in the tackle, creating space for runners out wide. But is the perception the reality? The Brisbame Times doesn't think
so on the basis of NRL stats for the first five rounds of the season.
They've crunched some numbers and reckon the reputation doesn't match reality.
Kiwi starting forward pack stats for first five NRL rounds
* 606 tackles
* 25 offloads
* 38 broken tackles
* 13.44 average runs (minus Dene Halatau)
* 129.68 average metres (minus Halatau)
Aussie starting forward pack stats for first five NRL rounds
* 797 tackles
* 31 offloads (Willie Mason leads league with 16)
* 81 broken tackles (Andrew Ryan 22, Brent Kite 22, Mason 18)
* 16.3 average runs (minus Cameron Smith)
* 137.32 average metres (minus Smith)
* David Fa'alogo's 14 broken tackles makes him the Kiwis' most dangerous ball runner. Williams broke 12.
* Williams has played only three of the five games, a stat balanced by the three of Australia's Nathan Hindmarsh.
* Kiwis skipper Roy Asotasi has yet to pop a single ball for the Rabbitohs.
