Concerns for player safety with Four Nations final to be played on 91-metre field

Johnathan Thurston's kicking game will have to be pin-point for the Four Nations final, with the game to be played on the 91-metre long Anfield pitch, which will include shortened in-goals.

Extra padding has been put in place behind the in-goals and advertisements have been removed for extra space.

In previous years, Kangaroos Luke Lewis and Brett Morris were injured in separate incidents at the 2013 World Cup after crashing into the fence.

Australian fullback Darius Boyd has his concerns but has been ensured he will be safe.

"Mal's been pretty good with preparing us," Boyd said.

"He measured out the pitch at Coventry and it was a bit shorter and you could tell in London that the distance between the 30 and the 40 metre line was about seven metres.

"At Old Trafford three years ago it was bit dangerous when you were chasing a kick.

"It's a bit worrying but at the end of the day it's pretty special to play at a ground like Anfield where there hasn't been much rugby league played before."

 

 

Author: 
Loopsports