Most arguments these days are centered around which rugby code is better. It’s a never ending argument, and on both sides of the fence you’re always going to have fans that are passionate about the sport they love.
Rather than argue which sport is better, how about we look at the most electric players in rugby union and league at the present time.
Darius Boyd: Has taken his game to the next level this year. Prior to his recent hamstring injury he was the safest player in either code. Passing game is starting to come on.
I see a lot of Darren Lockyer in his game, I think once he nails down his passing game you will see a kicking game introduced. Bennett won’t be satisfied until his pet project is completed, can anyone else see the Bennett created Darren Lockyer clone developing?
James O’Connor: Pound for pound, often overused phrase used in sport. But look at this kid, and that’s what he is. At 20 years of age he has already nailed down 27 Test caps for the Wallabies.
Watch a Force game and you will get an understanding how tough and freakishly talented this kid is, he has the giant Kiwi and Springboks’ teams trying to shut him down in attack and in defence they run at him all day, more often then not the opposition end up on their backs. Sight for sore eye in Australian rugby.
He will be a shining light in this year’s World Cup. To think he has at least three more World Cups in him. You beauty!
Sonny Bill Williams: Finally the rest of the world is witnessing what we had in our backyard for year. He’s certainly come a long way since debuting for the Bulldogs premiership winning side in 2004.
Like most league fans, in 2008 I was gutted when he left our code, but I think he’s paid his dues – literally. 750,000 Bulldogs? To the SBW haters out there, rather than be bitter, why don’t you sit back and marvel at what this kid is doing.
He’s got fans excited; people are waking up at 2am to watch him – I think the last time that happened Ricky Stuart off loaded to Mal Meninga to send him on a 70m journey that secured a Kangaroos victory in 1990.
Back to the player now.
SBW’s offloading and creativity in attack resembles a kid playing in the backyard, or for the league fan, cast your memory back to Game II of the 2005 Origin series. Andrew Johns’ performance in that game was epic.
Sonny is starting to dominate games much like Joey used to.
He has a step like Freddy, he has a short ball like Joey, he’s taken the Gidley flick to the next level, and his defence is Tallis-like with a little Cement Gillespie in it.
The only thing he hasn’t done is kick the ball, and let’s face it, it’s a pleasure not to see someone do this from inside his 22.
So, as a fan, I’m pumped to see this kid showcase to the world how good a player he can be. Bring on the 2011 World Cup!
With energy levels that rival Trevor Hendy, turn of pace that resembles Black Caviar, and the best fullback brain since Clive Churchill, I introduce Billy ‘The Kid’ Slater.
When you think how can this bloke get better, around comes another season. League fans know how good this bloke is with ball in hand, but what separates him from the others is his ability to stop a try.
Other notable nominees: Quade Cooper, Benji Marshall. Ben Barba, David Pocock, Darren Lockyer, Dan Carter, Richie McCaw, Cameron Smith, Jeremy Smith, Adam Thomson, Beau Robinson, Jarryd Hayne, Malili Muliaina, Greg Inglis, Justin Hodges, Rene Ranger.
I won’t go on, but aren’t other nations lucky we don’t play just the one rugby code?
kovana
Guest
Pocock at 6? Nah.. Pocock at 7 since he completely outclasses Mccaw. 6. Mccaw 7. Pocock 8. Henry Tuilagi :P
Jerry
Guest
"he set up the try of the year for James O’Connor" With a huge forward pass.
Dave
Guest
1. Carl Heyman 2. Kevin Mealanu 3. Soane Tonga'uiha 4. Brad Thorn 5. Paul O'Connell 6. David Pocock 7. Richie McCaw 8. Jerome Kaino 9. Will Genia 10. Dan Carter 11. Hosea Gear 12. Sonny Bill Williams 13. Robbie Fruean 14. Uate 15. Slater
Jerry
Guest
Yeah, Aus have traditionally dominated in League. But not only cause of numbers, they had a far more professional structure and an elite domestic competition. Now, when the only advantage they have is numbers the Kiwis have closed the gap considerably and when all things are equal (eg at the World Cup or 4 Nations) have been winning when it matters. If they can do that with just South Auckland and Wainuiomata to draw from.... As an example of the IRB numbers being bunk - up until recently the IRB numbers said England had more female rugby players than male. They're simply not reliable. The ARU and NZRU's annual reports consistently show the ARU has more registered players.
Funk
Guest
Is this "pretty well known to be unreliable" in nz cause I can't say I've heard that? As for RL sorry to tell you but nz has been dominated for a long time by the kangaroos, it's just in the last few years since all the kiwi players are playing in the top competition (NRL) that they have started to improve. If I remember correctly I think it was somewhere between 23 - 28 years where the kangaroos didn't lose a comp....I'd call that being fairly dominant? I can remember a few games that were fifty odd points to nil over the kiwis.
Ben S
Roar Guru
I'm not going to deny that Beale scored some awesome tries last year, but the chip and chase against England was scored in a period when England had two men down injured. There was a lot of space available to him. This year it seems that teams have worked that tactic out.
Frank O'Keeffe
Guest
Kurtley Beale went through a period where he was exciting me in every game. * I mean in South Africa he set up the try of the year for James O'Connor. He did some other amazing stuff in South Africa. * Against New Zealand he really troubled Muliana with his speed, holding on to the ball just long enough to give Mitchell the try. * Then there was that last break down the sideline which reignited the Wallabies attack. * Against Wales he nearly scored one of the greatest tries of all time, but lost the ball over the line. * Then against England he scored from a chip and chase etc. I mean I could go on and on and on. By far the guy most entertaining me. I don't think people really appreciate how awesome he's been. I'm not seeing guys do what he did last year.
johno
Guest
Aus would still have the same forwards, and would therefore lose, every time, if there was only Union.
zhenry
Guest
Sparse at best. Controversial Tuquiri best of them but WALs did not win that game
zhenry
Guest
Good you have summed up well the position re RWC, the ABs and the two WAL wins.
Jerry
Guest
To be fair, a league player scored Australia's only try in the 2003 World Cup Final (in fact, a league player scored England's only try too).
zhenry
Guest
Yes League players are notable for contributing to Wallably success. Name one.
Jason
Guest
Where's Matt Dunning on your list?
katzilla
Roar Guru
Jameswm, One offs are a ridiculous counter of how the teams are faring overall. The Kiwis hold all the major trophies and do that because when they have time to build combinations (combinations that the Roos already have due to playing/having played a majority of QLDers/Storm players in key positions) they step up. Your kidding yourself if you think 1 off mid year tests matter. Overall Australia has a much larger talent pool then NZ in league, of course you do.
mikeylives
Guest
you married Martin Bella?
Rugby Fan
Roar Guru
There was an interesting BBC radio feature recently on the state of the union in the North of England. Brian Ashton, Fran Cotton and Brian Moore all expressed concern that the clubs are not competitive enough to hang on to their best players and wondered whether the RFU is really doing enough to support the game there. Brian Ashton specifically claimed that the region produced better union players because schools often play both codes. You can read a summary of the feature here: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/13279854.stm Back to the idea of electric players, I don't see many forwards getting a mention. Is that because "electric" tends to bring up images of pace and mazy running? Richie McCaw is still a very special player. I haven't seen enough of David Pocock this season because of his injury but he can be a force of nature when he's in form. In Ireland, Leinster's Sean O'Brien has been outstanding, and also highly visible, which I suppose is one of the requirements if you are going to get the crowd on their feet.
Jerry
Guest
My mistake. Though that's a stupid argument, cause if the rest of the world all played rugby exclusively Australia and New Zealand would be bad compared to the likes of the USA, England, Holland, Germany etc.
jus de couchon
Guest
Years gone by rugby here in England the players chosen to play for England were largely from the North which is now rugby league. Professionalism in Union might reistablish that again if Chris Ashton is an example.
CizzyRascal
Roar Guru
I know which one he meant. I was just shocked by that inclusion.
Damo
Guest
Katzilla I thought you would know better than take up this hypothetical unproveable argument. We would beat you guys with a full contingent - so there! Perfect logic. It is not looking likely that this sort of mix will happen Any time soon BUT if the hybrid Wallabies Roos game got up maybe then we could have OZ hybrid vs NZ hybrid. Now They would get some attention.