With representative rugby league just around the corner, I thought I’d pick my top 10 in each position. I am starting with the hookers.
10 Jake Friend (Roosters). Due to off-field issues, his NRL career nearly didn’t get off the ground. But he has turned everything around to be a regular in the Roosters side, averaging over 40 tackles a game.
9 Kevin Kingston (Panthers). Reliable is a good word to describe former Parramatta grand finalist Kevin Kingston. He has a dig every week, even when his side is under the pump.
8 Aaron Payne. He played his 200th game at the weekend, and while his best years may be behind him, every now and then he produces the form which helped the Cowboys to the 2005 grand final.
7 Robbie Farah. He is a vital part of a Tigers team that is not firing. Inconsistency is why he is ranked seventh. Sure he can be as good as any on his day, but he doesn’t have too many of those good days. I’m sure Tigers fans would disagree, but his team’s results speak louder than words.
6 Matt Ballin. He is one of those players that can go unnoticed every week. He may be at number six on my list but, to be fair, not much separates him and the next couple of players.
5 Michael Ennis. Players love playing with him and hate playing against him. His early season form is off a little, but he is good enough to be Ricky Stuart’s first choice hooker for NSW. Expect some big games in the next few weeks as debate heats up over who should be the Blues hooker.
4 Isaac Luke. The current Kiwi hooker has his good and bad points, but the good outweighs the bad. He can kick goals, take on the bigger man and put him to shame, plus he has an eye for a try out of dummy half. On the bad side, he can cost his team dearly with cheap penalties that come with his aggressive style of play.
3 Danny Buderus. You would think after three seasons out of the NRL it would be hard for him to get back into the groove. However, this is not the case for Buderus. He has been one of the Knights best so far this season. I’d have Buderus ahead of Ennis just at this stage for the Blues jersey. But it’s a long season and time will tell if he can keep up with the weekly grind of the NRL.
2 Andrew McCullough. Ok, I can hear you all blowing up, except the Broncos fans. This kid is getting better with each game. His vision from dummy half is up there with the best. He knows when to run, when to kick and when to steady things. He is in the same mould as the number one hooker in the game, and is a reason why the Broncos are second on the ladder.
1 Cameron Smith. Do I really need to explain? He is probably the best dummy half the game has seen. He ticks all the boxes that make a quality number 9. He reads the game better than most and can control the tempo of a match. The current test hooker will soon be the Australian captain.
Well that’s my top 10. What do you think, Roarers? Have I got it right?
Renegade
Guest
I would pick Cameron Smith without doubt....look at the win percentage for every team he plays for - your life would be in safe hands.
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
Lachlan, I am happy for you to not agree with me but you cannot argue with these facts in 2012. Luke has scored 2 tries from 4 games this year and McCulloch 1 from 6 games. Average metres Luke is 138.5 (1st) v McCulloch 40.7 (in 16th place) Line Breaks Luke is 3 from 4 games (1st) v McCulloch only 1 from 6 games Totals run Luke is 66 (2nd to Cam Smith on 68) v McCulloch 38 (6th) Tackle Breaks Luke is 24 from 4 games (1st) v McCulloch with 6 (8th) You have cited just one game which McCulloch played very well in, but my judgement is over his entire career. He is a very good club player, but my view is that "very good" is not good enough in such a crucial spine position.
PLANKO
Guest
Sorry could not resist. To be in my top 10 hookers. All of these guys need to shave tighter , where a wig and improve their gag reflex !
Josh
Guest
Smith Luke Farah Degois Buderus Nathan friend Ballin Mccullough Jake friend Kevin Kingston Enniis for mine isn't a first grade hooker
Tommygun
Guest
Manly was capacity as a part of the stadium is closed due to renovations. Standing room only at Brookie...
Johnno
Guest
What about Andrew Johns yes andrew johns. He was the player of the 2000 world cup playing hooker, and one of the stars of the 1995 world cup i think , playing as hooker, if not man of the match in the grand final at wembley in 95. Was joey only made to look good in NSW and Australian teams playing hooker coz of the quality of players around him or was he one of the genuinely greatest ever hookers. Who would you choose at hooker if you were playing for your life Andrew Johns or Cam Smith. I'd still pick Joey, so does that make johns arguably Australia's best ever hooker yes if you think about properly yes absolutely.
peeeko
Roar Guru
totally agree
Chookman
Guest
Cameron Smith - Danny Buderus - Isaac Luke - and then the rest
Dan Wighton
Roar Guru
Is that you, Matty Johns?
mushi
Roar Guru
Number of tackles is amongst the worst stats in league. For hookers often the quantum is because they are sought out. You'd rather tackles werhe the tackler intiated the contact than the runner.
Lachlan Simpson
Roar Rookie
Scott, I think you actually may be the one watching a different game.The dummy pass wasnt too obvious last week against the Dragons when he crossed in the first half, nor on many other occasions when easily gains 10 or more metres off of it. Nor could your comments have applied to his kicking game, when watching the 40/20 kick in the same game. You are entitled to your opinion but i notice a certain lack in forward momentum and almost immediate increase in tries against the broncos whenever McCullough is off the field. While i also admire Luke as a hooker his inconsistency and tendancy to leak penalties are a bit much to overlook.
TJ
Guest
Concur, concur, concur.
Blazza
Guest
Shouldn't the article be who is 2nd best ???? Isaak Luke and the Andrew McCullough (although he should be an 80min player). What has Buderus actually done ? He has no kicking game, no attacking flair all's he does is tackle and he only makes 30 a game. Same with Ballin although he is a wee bit better overall. One player that should be on this list but isn't because he plays behind Smith is Ryan Hinchcliffe, dude can play, and i rate him a huge chance of making the Blues team.
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
Paul, You are very entitled to your opinion, and it is fair to say that from 3 down is argumentative, but number one and two are clear cut. Cam Smith is not only number one but also the greatest ever. He does not have a weakness and as a bonus is a 80% goal kicker. Paul, ask yourself who do you don’t want to have the ball in his hands against your team? Isaac Luke is a stand out. He is clearly the second best hooker in world Rugby League and if you have watched him closely this year you would agree. In 2012: He is leading in Line Breaks and has made 10 Tackle Breaks from only 4 games this season, easily the best. He is also number 1 for ave mins per game, metres made per game and runs per game. He averages 138 m per game compared to Cam Smith’s 64m, but he makes more errors and misses more tackles. A quick word on Andrew McCullough. You must watch a game differntly to me. I find that he telegraphs his dummy pass constantly, and his tactical kicking is only ordinary. He is very replaceable and if Hunt was to replace him, I would not change the rating one point.
PLANKO
Guest
Top Ten Soft Loosers .... Farrah would be a qualifier !!! Top Three easy !
Patrick Angel
Roar Guru
Ennis is a terrific hooker when there are other players in the team who take the whole kicking load. The biggest blight is him giving away penalties at the drop of a hat, but his technical play is always been solid. Not sure if Ballin is better, he often looks it but it is difficult because he has never played with an average forward pack. Smith i simply outstanding and makes his entire pack look like world beaters.
peeeko
Roar Guru
Very true, leaving out de gois is a massive oversight
R Stuart
Guest
1. C.Smith 2. M.Ballin 3. I.Luke 4. M.Ennis 5. A.McCulloch 6. N.Friend 7. R.Farah 8. D.Buderus 9. J.Friend 10. A.Payne 11. I.DeGois 12. K.Kingston 13. M.Srama 14. M. Rein 15. G.Buttriss 16. M.Keating
roarr
Guest
The current gap between Cameron Smith and the next best hooker is probably the biggest gulf of class, skill, ability of any position in the history of the NRL. It's remarkable and something I can't remember happening before. I also can't possibly see how Ennis gets rated. He is well spoken off the field and the media love him... but on the field he is pretty stock standard. De Gois should be in the top 5, and Ballin is definetly better than Ennis and Buderus.
Andy
Guest
Cameron smith is number 1 and Matt Ballin is number 2.