YOU need leather balls to play rugby league - except in Australia where they have learned to play with no balls at all!

By giving in to a fear of flying the Australian Rugby League team are giving the terrorists exactly what they want.

As an American living in St Helens I have to say that this cowardly decision is an outrageous insult to Great Britain, which is currently engaged in a war defending the very freedom the Australians are too scared to use.

If the Australians refuse to come here and defend their title then they do not deserve to keep it and should surrender it along with their courage. Britain would prefer to win its victories on the playing field but if they are to be denied this opportunity then they should demand the title by default.

Thank God I live in a country that refuses to be paralysed by fear. Shame on you Australia - we thought better of you than this.

Bill Turner, Former Licensee of the Yellow Rose