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I was having a drink with a few mates the other day, and talk eventually swung to sports, and ultimately, rugby league. Now, as fans of sci-fi and Doctor Who, talk turned to time travel.
What if we had a little blue police box that could go back through history, and we had to pick a rugby league team to play a match that would decide the fate of the world?
Who would we pick from beginning of (rugby league) time to present day?
It’s tougher than you might think, and none of us came up with a single agreed side. But I thought I would share my team list with you, and see what Roarers can come up with.
Fullback – Greg Inglis
Yep, GI. Whether you agree or not, fullback is where Inglis has played his best footy. He has good stats since making the switch, and I had to have him in my team somewhere, seeing as the centres and halves were taken by players who had to go there.
Right wing – Josh Mansour
Ok, call me biased, or insane, whatever, but his barnstorming, work-horse like runs, ability to find the line, and finishing plays (like a true winger) for Penrith this year make this easy for me to argue. Find a better winger in the game than him this year, and good luck doing that.
I think this young fella has a big future in the game, and his inclusion in the Kangaroos side will prove me right. Unlucky to miss out on a NSW wing spot, the man with the beard to rival Nate Myles pips everyone else to win the number two jersey.
Right centre – Reg Gasnier
Do I need to explain this one? Really?
Left centre – Jarryd Hayne
Much like the above, and much as I dislike his inconsistency, he deserves to be here. He’ll be an Immortal, whether I agree or not, and I see him holding a premiership trophy aloft one day, not just a lone series win for NSW.
Left wing – Ken Irvine
Arguably league’s greatest winger, and picked in the number five for the team of the century. I think no more needs to be said, really.
Five-eighth – Johnathan Thurston
While you could say Wally Lewis deserves this spot, or Darren Lockyer, or even Brad Fitler, I think JT eclipses them all. With Joey Johns in the seven I could not leave JT out, and so five-eighth he is.
Halfback – Andrew Johns (c)
OK, while I didn’t rate him as highly as his brother Matty during his playing days, he really has been the best half, ever, and his career stats back that up. His ability to take a losing side and get the win was second to none. And honestly, has there ever been anyone with suck an accurate kicking game?
Maybe Jamie Soward or Hazem El-Masri, but I still don’t think so. Joey’s knowledge of the game is exceptional, and should he so desire it, could rival Gus Gould for the ultimate knowledge of the game. He also gets the honour of captain.
Prop – Arthur Beetson
Big Artie, need I say more? While I was unfortunate to have not witnessed his playing days in person by only a year or so, I’ve seen the footage, and the man could show modern props a thing or two about straight running and hit-ups.
Hooker – Cameron Smith (vc)
I don’t think anyone will disagree here. There has never been a better player at hooker than Cam. A future Immortal for sure. And my vice captain for this side.
Prop – Shane Webcke
I’ll take arguments here that there may have been tougher, better players than him in the front row (I doubt it, though), but I’d not have him out of any side if I could pick him. Would you stand in his way while he runs at you? I didn’t think so.
Second row – Norm Provan
Another who was before my time, but the man’s game is legendary, and would we have a trophy named after him if he weren’t one of the greatest players of the game? Picked in this very spot for the Team of the Century, it’s indisputable.
Second row – Sonny Bill Williams
Yeah, I went there. Let’s face it, although he was clearly more focused on preserving his body for union this year, when his mind is in the game there hasn’t been too many who can beat him.
He’s played on the wing, in the centres, the halves, at lock and in the second row. The game’s most versatile and skilled player, an all-round athlete and a damaging ball runner. His shoulder charge was missed by many this year, myself included, but his defence was still solid.
Lock – Paul Gallen
I could have gone with Johnny Raper or Luke Lewis, or a number of other players. I do really, really hate this guy, but I could not leave him out of a starting side. He is a grub, a thug, a liar and a cheat. But there is no better man to have at lock than Gallen.
He won’t be an Immortal, no matter what any deluded NSW fan might think, and it’s not the ‘performance-enhancing drugs’ thing that will stop him, it’s just there are better modern players. But better forwards? None.
Interchange
Luke Lewis
The man is unstoppable. He puts his body on the line every game, and gives 100 per cent. He can also cover any number of positions, has a limited but effective kicking game, a dangerous offload and quick feet. He’s no slouch in the defensive line, either.
Graeme Langlands
Never saw him play, but I’ve seen footage. That, and his inclusion in the Team of the Century, was enough for me to pick him. It might not be fashionable to have a fullback/wing on the bench, but would you leave him out?
Johnny Raper
He has to make the side, but I benched him for Gallen. I can’t believe it, even as I’m typing it. However, I stand by my choices.
Sam Burgess
Did you see his performance in the grand final? What the heck will Souths do without this man? Little George might stand up for him, but Sam gets the last spot in this side. I would also have had him at lock but for Gallen being bloody annoying and just that bit more experienced and dirty. Someone has to get under the opposition’s skin, and Michael Ennis is nowhere near good enough for even this brief mention.
So that’s my team. I’d have big Mal Meninga as 18th man and Blocker Roach as 19th. Coached by Phil Gould, this team would be unstoppable.
If I was to include players who’d never played league, I’d have booted Luke Lewis from the bench for Jona Lomu, and Gallen from lock for Dwayne Johnson (The Rock) and that’s it. So have a go, Roarers. Who would you pick?
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