It seems to me that there has been an epidemic of inner ear infections affecting their balance.

If I'm wrong then enlighten me, please.

Which is also the age at which league tables are started (in yorkshire anyway). I know of one club which has a number of good players thinking of quiting playing because they dont get game time and the coaches play the same players evey week. Oddly enough these players are at the younger end of the age group where a few months can be a big physical difference at that age.

I wonder which is more relevant? ?

Yep. A lad I coach was told not to come back by 1 club because he was too small. Fortunately we've managed to keep him in the sport, but his mate who he went with (and so left that club with) is now playing Union.
I think RL is much better at primary school ages than it used to be (with still some work to do!) but it's still pretty bloody rubbish at over that age. Both in terms of skill development and keeping people interested/involved.

Quite, 'professionalism' is one thing, but, the modern day footballer's 'ability' to act as if they had been shot from the grassy knoll when tapped on the shin goes against the grain. Where have all the players gone that would never show they were hurt even if they were and considered it a sign of weakness?

I used to split my time between the two sports, but, not any more, mainly because of these antics

No worries Charlie, I've quite enjoyed this World Cup but tend to avoid Liverpool's games to be honest. Unfortunately, I do think that slowly but surely, we as a sport are picking up some undesirable traits from Association Football.

In addition to those previously stated players mouthing off and harassing officials really gets my goat. Lee Briers often tried to ref matches and may be I'm biased, but, it was done in the main with a bit of cheek, pushing the limits with humour rather than snarling obscenities

Out of interest, how many Liverpool games did you see last season?