And what Is he supposed to do? Run away from him?
The point I was making was that he made no "Attempt" to block the kick by doing anything other than go to towards the kicker as part of the defensive line.
He didn't Fly out of the line
He didn't raise his hands
He didn't jump

What happens if an attacking player kicks a ball at a defender who is tackling him near the sideline?
He's running towards someone kicking the ball so should that be back to one or head and feed to kicking team?
Surely not?

My point is more to do with the general ruling of this area of the game.
Surely the defender must be allowed to approach the kicker otherwise no-one could tackle him without running the risk of giving back to one if it hits him?
He also must surely have to make an attempt block the kick doing something other than be approaching him?

So I think you'll find it relevant as I am asking with regards to the issue not just the specific incident.

So every last tackle the attacking team run towards the side line and kick it at the defender and stand a better than 50/50 chance of getting the ball back because it's either back to one or it goes in touch and head and feed to the team that kicked it?
Cracking idea!
As for the player "running at the kicker" he was more jogging as part of the defensive line and at no point made any attempt to block the flight of the ball.
He was just stood there, he can't disappear, and as Bilko alluded to earlier what happens if the players leave the kicker alone in fear of giving Back to one and he dummies and scores.
Ridiculous theory as the prime concern has to be to allow the defender to at least attempt to make a conventional tackle without fear of being penalised for something he had no intention of doing.

So anyone who is in the way of the ball, intentional or not, can be adjudged to have charged down the ball when it hits them?

That doesn't sit right with me. My memory of the ruling is that if the defenders arms are above his head you are entitled to charge the ball down? I don't think what Ta'ai did (if he did anything at all) constitutes a charge down - he made no attempt to get the ball and any forward movement he did make is only natural of a defensive line moving up to meet the attack.

He was miles offside though.

Bar a drop goal attempt, teams should NEVER charge down a ball in my opinion - its such a high risk play and rarely comes off, most times it simply results in another set for the opposition in around the same area.

I think the tactic has cost Warrington in particular dearly on a number of occasions, including last year's Grand Final.

Put pressure on the kicker of course but make sure the focus is on the legs, not the ball.

I'm glad you're not in charge, that would be a disaster! Every 5th tackle I'd be booting at the nearest opposition player, must of the time getting another set of 6 from it!

Rule used to be if it touched you last before it went into touch the scrum went against you. Easy decision for the ref rather than trying to interpret the actions of the defender and both sets of players and fans know where they stand.Same should apply in all instances then there would be less controversy about decisions.

Personally I would also allow ball stealing in the tackle again to stop attacking players milking pens. Hardly ever saw Kevin Ward lose a ball in the tackle until ball stealing became outlawed. From then on he seemed to have the ball stolen far more frequently, especially in front of the opposition sticks.