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I remember some time ago one of the featured writers naming a team of union players for the 13-man code. It was interesting but it got me to thinking about union players around the world and who would be good league players.
Without doubt, in my mind, New Zealand is the deepest nation when it comes to rugby players, regardless of code.
I’ll leave out the obvious examples like Carter and Nonu but someone like Tim Nanai-Williams could be one of the most exciting players in the NRL, playing from full back.
Rene Ranger the Northland and Blues outside three quarter has a fantastic wide range of skills and would make a devastating centre. Liam Messam is one of the enigmas of New Zealand rugby, who shows his immense talent at points but has never set the international scene on fire. It would be interesting to see him at second row or lock in league where he might get a bit more space to show off his skills.
South Africa is well known for producing big intimidating forwards.
There seems to be a fascination in the NRL of “freakish” athletes and Pierre Spies, the South African No.8, would probably top the charts in the category. His athletic abilities are awesome and I’ve always thought he might suit league better as a winger or second row.
Schalk Burger is one of rugby’s most fearsome back row forwards with his incredible tenacity and complete lack of care for his body. He also possesses some fantastic ball skills if given the license and could be one of the best props in the NRL.
Fourie du Preez breaks the mould of a lot of modern day South African players with one of the best rugby minds around. I would see him keeping the No. 9 jersey in league that he adorns in union, and controlling the game just like his does in the 15-man code.
Felipe Contepomi of Argentina might be getting on in years but has always been one of the most creative players in the game who never fully settled in either first or second five-eighth, but excelled at whichever one he was in.
He would have made a fine five-eighth and his passion would have won over many a fan. Juan Manuel Leguizamon is a flamboyant back rower who most likely be one of those incredibly frustrating players with obvious talent but tries too hard. Would still be entertaining to watch.
The Tuilagi brothers, with reference to Henry, Alesana and Manu, would have a major impact on the NRL. Henry in the role of the interchange impact player with the incredible acceleration and power of his 120 KG. Alesana would be in the mould of Manu Vatuvei with his powerful surges down the wing.
Manu, the most complete of the lot could be one of the most devastating players in the competition with his taste for the big hit and his defence splitting charges.
Eliota Fuimano-Sapolu, another Samoan, would certainly fit in with the controversy of the NRL with his Twitter tirades, but as a player he would also certainly make an impact. I’d see him employed in the same kind of role as Feleti Mateo.
Napolioni Nalaga, the Fijian winger who has just signed on at Western Force, is the clinical finisher that NRL teams would love on their wing. Sione Kalamafoni, the Tongan back rower is probably the least well known player I’ll mention, but he made a massive impact during the World Cup and his dynamism and big hits would be welcomed in any pack in the competition.
Stephen Ferris would likely has a similar impact to Sam Burgess.
A big man with incredible power who enjoys the big hits but also very quick. Sean O’Brien was one of the players of pool stages of the recent World Cup, where his ball carrying style was described as if he just ignored the first up tackler and was looking for the next man. Would be interesting to see where he was employed, but I’m sure coaches would love to work with him.
Keith Earls has become a bit of a utility man due to his ability to play across the back line, but I’d say he would be a full back in league and his footballing skills and speed would make him a real danger to the opposition.
Sean Lamont the Scotland back would make a fine second row with his ability to drive his legs in contact and always trying to free his arms to keep the play alive. Tim Visser will soon be a naturalised Scot so will soon strut his stuff on the international stage, but if his Pro12 form is anything to go by, he would be a prolific winger.
With Courtney Lawes tendency for the big hit, there is no doubt he would be a big hit with the fans. Add to that his fantastic athleticism for someone his size and engine to work around the pitch and he would make a fine prop forward.
Ben Foden is one of the best counter attacking full backs in union and with the extra space in league he could thrive.
The energetic Danny Care would make the perfect half back with his quick runs, playmaking instincts and his footballing skills that had him as an academy member at Sheffield Wednesday when he was younger.
Jamie Roberts upright running style and strong no nonsense defence make him a good fit in League especially as he could excel in a number of positions due to his size and wide range of skills. Mike Philips has been described more than once as a great rugby player, but not a very good scrum half. With his physical style of play, he would easily assimilate into league and would make a top hooker.
James Hook has struggled to nail down a spot due to the restrictive nature of positions in union but would be freed at five-eighth in League where his immense talent might finally be shown properly.
Morgan Parra like Care would make an excellent half back. Matthieu Bastareaud the behemoth centre with a surprising change of speed would certainly cause defences in the NRL real problems and like Roberts could play in a variety of positions. Thierry Dusautoir just could not be left out in my opinion.
I would imagine that, like Dallas Johnson, his tackling stats would be off the chart most of the time.
Sergio Parisse is probably the most complete forward in the game of Union capable of throwing 30 metre passes of either hand, side stepping, behind the back passes and even the occasional drop goal.
Due to his incredible skills, he could genuinely play anywhere in the pack. Mamukha Gorgodze showed during the World Cup what many in France already know, that he is probably the most destructive forward in the sport.
The giant Georgian has a massive arm span to swat away would be tacklers and when that doesn’t work, he tree trunk legs do the business busting tackles. His short temper would also fair well when the biff is on.
Takudzwa Ngwenya, the lightening quick American is probably one of the least talented that I have mentioned on here but he has used his pace to devastating effect and it would be exciting to see him on an NRL pitch intercepting a pass on his own line.
There are many more I could have mentioned, but I thought I’d leave it to you to add.
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