40/20 Kick

When the ball is kicked from anywhere behind the attacking teams' defensive 40-metre line into touch (not on the full) anywhere beyond the attacking 20-metre line. If this is achieved, a new set of six is awarded to the attacking team from where the ball found touch.

Probably the key NRL stat in terms of kicking, 40/20s are a rarity in rugby league and therefore all the more valuable for players who are able to kick them.

40/20s require not only good kicking precision and skill, but the confidence to go for them, especially early in the tackle count. 

Example: “Cooper Cronk had a superb performance with the boot, highlighted by two 40/20s.”

40/20s are like gold in a game of NRL. They're not a tactic that many teams employ as they are so hard to achieve. But when they do come off, extra possession in an attacking area is the reward, and why it is useful to keep an eye on the players who have kicked the most 40/20s.

Benchmark: Kicking one 40/20 in a game is rare, therefore two or more is considered very impressive.