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For as long as I can remember, the debate about rugby league’s fastest man has raged.
Names such as James Roberts, Marika Koroibete, James Tedesco and David Mead have sprung up to be in the running for the prestigious title of the fastest man in the game.
We had a race a few years ago against other codes, but were left unsatisfied. Jarryd Hayne, Greg Inglis and the Morris boys were speedy a while back, but have probably all lost a fair bit of bite over the years.
Now, with the ‘fan friendly’ Auckland Nines to look forward to next February, I’d like to offer a suggestion to warm us up for the tournament- or at another time of the year.
Here’s my offer, NRL bigwig.
Each team selects a player in their first team – no reserve graders – and we have two heats of eight runners. The fastest four in each race progress to the final, where we crown a winner.
There wouldn’t be a prize, since the Nines are about the fans.
This race would take place on approved turf to make the players feel more at home. This could also reduce the risk of serious injury to players as they run, which could be a concern to the clubs involved, as they wouldn’t want to lose a speedster to a pre-season event.
Now for the big names involved. These are purely my opinion, but feel free to correct me if you’ve seen any sweatier runners.
Brisbane
This shouldn’t be any surprise, but Jimmy ‘the Jet’ Roberts would represent the Broncs. Tony Milford would watch poutily from the sideline, but would have to only watch as this absolute engine rips up the turf. Obvious favourite early.
Bulldogs
This was a tough one, deciding between Tyrone Phillips and Moses Mbye. The Morris boys both have a bit of bite, but I feel like ol’ Moses would be a better candidate.
Phillips’ speed off the mark is phenomenal, but Moses’ chase down of nippy Panthers winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak still resonates with me. He easily made up 20 metres against a winger and ran him down plenty soon. I feel like he’d be a fair chance.
Canberra
Jarrod Croker, Jack Wighton and Jordan Rapana all shine in the speed department, but Rapana is threatening mostly close to the line, and nearly got run down by Bryce Cartwright (who isn’t exactly a gun).
Croker hasn’t really had a chance to use his sheer speed, instead relying mostly on his strength and size close to the line. So I’ll stick with Wighton. His speed is pretty good for a small, bulky bloke.
He chased Tommy Trbojevic from practically a standing start, and has run alongside speedsters such as Roberts and Shaun Johnson.
Cronulla
This is a lot closer than most people think. The shining lights here are Valentine Holmes, Ben Barba and Chad Townsend.
Barba has had his fair share of races, Holmes has scored probably more long distance stunners this year than most, and Townsend has unprecedented speed off the first 40 metres.
I’ll go simply with Barba as I feel like he has a better engine than the other two.
North Queensland
The 2015 premiers have speed a’plenty in their ranks. From two-time premier Justin O’Neill’s flamin’ heels, to Michael Morgan’s Olympic engine, to Kalyn Ponga’s untapped pace. But the winner here is an absolute newcomer – Gideon Gela-Mosby.
This kid has some of the best speed I’ve seen in years. From a standing start, he could outpace a car over 30 metres. He’s a definite dark horse in that he hasn’t even played a game of first-grade yet.
Gold Coast
This team is unique in that they haven’t exactly raised many flame-heeled super sprinters. Konrad Hurrell is alright, Hayne can keep up, but maybe their best bet is young Ash Taylor.
Given that we haven’t yet seen Hayne really floor it since he arrived home, I won’t put him here. Taylor can run.
Manly
Not exactly a brain scratcher here. The young machine named Tommy Trbojevic is the fastest at the club. Yes he got run down by Jack Wighton from practically a standstill, but it was in the 77th minute, so I can maybe forgive Tommy for that.
Still give Jack a place, though. So I’ll stick with Tommy here, as he’s the only person I’ve seen actually beat Michael Morgan in a side-by-side effort.
Melbourne
With Marika Koroibete gone, the mantle of Melbourne’s most pacey maestro will fall to the next in line. And that is Josh Addo-Carr.
The Storm, like the Titans, haven’t been blessed with game-breaking speedsters, (apart from Koroibete), so the other winger will step in.
Cooper Cronk is very underrated as a speedster, as well. He’s a surprisingly quick bloke, but Addo-Carr has the gait and long legs to trouble the fastest in the NRL.
Newcastle
There are a few speedsters among the wooden spooners, but their young winger Nathan Ross is by far the quickest. He’s chased down and kept stride with Koroibete, Valentine Holmes, Ben Barba and James Tedesco, plus he can boast that his first 40m is just as fast as his last 40m.
Parramatta
This category is probably the hardest to pick. Bevan French and Michael Jennings could probably race against each other for the right to represent their club at the sprint, and I’m guessing that Michael Jennings would win.
He has been a pacey bloke for years, and hasn’t seemed to lose any pace. He’d most likely make the final, too.
Penrith
This is a tricky one. The two centres, Dean Whare and Waqa Blake, are both quite fast, and it would very likely be one of them who would represent the Panthers. If I had to choose, I would back Blake, since Whare is still coming off an injury. Blake has been consistent the whole year, and has earned a spot in this race.
Rabbitohs
I have to admit, I considered a three-way here. Aaron Gray, Alex Johnston and Cody Walker are the fastest Bunnies in the club, controversially beating Greg Inglis to the post – although how good was that run in Origin last year! Of the three, I’ve seen more to convince me that Alex Johnston would take this.
Gray would be unlucky to miss out, but Johnston has more burst speed and is able to hold it easier.
Dragons
I have to admit, I haven’t watched many Dragons games, but a guy I noticed who seemed to be able to be everywhere is Gareth Widdop. His gait is almost slow, but he can cover ground remarkably well.
He nearly cut Koroibete off from a standing start and he is probably the fastest at the club. Correct me if I’m wrong, please.
Roosters
Latrell Mitchell is a smokey. Blake Ferguson hasn’t exactly set the turf on fire, and Mitchell Pearce is a pretty fast bloke when he wants to be, but Latrell has set the game on fire this year, and has run around fullbacks on more than one occasion.
I’m not at all sold that he’s one of the game’s quickest, but he could be a dark horse if he wanted to.
Warriors
Shaun Johnson is a certain for this. Tuimoala Lolohea’s quick and David Fusitu’a isn’t too slow either, but this bloke has a rep for being a purely filthy runner. He’s there and then gone.
There’s footage of him running down Jennings, Koroibete and Daniel Tupou, none of whom are exactly slow. Plus his starting speed could trouble a Moto GP car over 30 metres.
Tigers
This is another one thats’ not too hard to call. James Tedesco is another one who could trouble a speed machine over a short distance, despite having the worst injury luck of anyone on this list. The Tigers’ halves are pretty pacey, but Tedesco is a no-brainer.
There we go, a full list of each team’s quickest. Please leave your opinions below, about who I could have put in, who would win the heats, and, ultimately, the race.
Cheers guys, and go easy – this is my first article!
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