I feel we can all see, when not playing ourselves, where kicking might be effective or wasteful (I was always told as kid, look after the pill!)
In reality half backs play to how they have been coached and are directed, so have been pressurised to follow what occurs in showcase rugby. How do you now wish to pressure them to play differently?
As Tactical Decision Makers you want 9/10 to play their game according to what they see in the split second before and after getting the ball. Not playing by rote.
Don't pressure them with anything. Equip them with skills to enhance their vision and understanding, to recognise when defenders are committed/beaten/turned/isolated to vary their play to increase the likelihood of making defenders ineffective.
You cannot shout from the touchline about what they should have just done because when they do that next time it is again the wrong thing because the situation is different.
Some people instinctively get how to exploit a 2v1, other despite how much time you try and spend discussing and demonstrating never will, they cannot see the cues and make the decision.
But yes negative kicking, to expect the defenders to drop or to give your winger, who is most likely offside anyway because being in front of the kicker is rarely penalised, an opportunity to smash into a static defender should be outlawed.
