Who are the five fastest men in the NRL?

10th August, 2012

Usain Bolt might be the fastest man alive but who is the quickest man in rugby league? The game is filled with genuine speed merchants and here we pick the five fastest players currently in the NRL.

1. Billy Slater

The Australian and Queensland incumbent fullback literally burst on the scene in 2003 and his incisive runs from the back have littered many a Test match, Queensland and Melbourne Storm game. His electric pace and ability to find a hole in the defensive line has been a hallmark of his consistent pace, causing Titan’s coach John Cartwright to describe him as “a freak”. He is now the greatest try-scoring fullback in NRL history.

2. Matt Bowen

It is a measure of Bowen’s extreme pace that he has been able to score the same end-of-length tries this year as before serious injuries curtailed his career in 2008. Bowen is probably best known for his brilliant tries for Queensland and the North Queensland Cowboys during a golden period between 2003 and 2007. Former Australian and Queensland skipper Darren Lockyer called Bowen “a little freak”. That’s why he is number two in this list behind Slater.

3. Ben Barba

Everything you need to know about Barba’s speed is demonstrated after watching his stunningly pacey try against the Parramatta Eels this year. After collecting a grubber kick on his own goal-line, he accelerated past the first defensive wave, jinked and stepped three players, overshot the fullback and ran 50 metres untouched. His Canterbury Bulldogs’ teammate Jonathan Wright commented, “he’s just pure talent. There are no words to describe Benny.” How about lightning quick?

4. Kevin Locke

The Auckland product’s light-footedness was on display before he’d played NRL level, after scoring a blistering 100-metre try and dominating try-scoring feats in the Toyota Cup. His speed off the mark was never in question after scoring a dummy-half try in his Kiwis debut against Australia last year, sidestepping through four defenders to score. Like Barba, he has natural pace and seems to accelerate past defenders with ease.

5. Marika Koroibete

He’s only played two NRL matches but already the Fijian-born winger is being talked up as one of the fastest in the league. Four tries against the Paramatta Eels is just the start of the Koroibete legacy. According to Joel Greig, the man responsible for luring him to the Wests Tigers, he clocked 10.75 in the 100 metres when he was 17 and travelled 20 kilometres each day to get to school. With fellow countrymen Lote Tuquiri and Akuila Uate among those to make their speedy mark on the NRL, Koroibete will surely be next in line for the moniker “Fijian Flyer”.

Agree or disagree? Leave your thoughts below.

The Crowd Says:

2016-07-29T11:35:11+00:00

Shane

Guest

1. James Roberts 2. Greg Inglis 3. Anthony Milford 4. Michael Jennings 5. Shaun Johnson

2013-12-03T22:32:57+00:00

kai

Guest

you can tell inglis didn't try he never put it in after the first 30m he would of been a contender for the op spot

2013-12-03T06:47:43+00:00

Robstar

Guest

1. Kevin gordon 2. Glen fisiiahi 3. David mead 4. James roberts 5.Marika Koroibete

2013-12-01T14:57:02+00:00

John Pokanau

Guest

I think if Greg Inglis trimmed down a few kilos, he would be rigth up there with the fastest in the NRL. Has the same physique as Usain Bolt.

2013-11-30T08:30:33+00:00

guru

Guest

Sean johnson pulling back jennings rates highly at least the fastest halve in the game

2013-11-26T12:03:29+00:00

Karls Mara

Guest

I think jennings was not expecting johnson, if he does he could fly away like a paper.

2013-09-27T07:44:38+00:00

matt, fitz

Guest

kevin gordon can run 100m in 10.5. and is easily the fastest!!

2013-09-24T01:18:15+00:00

bob

Guest

the fastest players are 1.makira koribeti ran 100 m in 10.75 seconds 2. billy slater 3.matt bowen 4 ben barber 5. kevin gordon 6. david mead 7.nathan gardner 8. jorge tufua 9.greg inglis 10. nathan gardner

2013-09-08T02:08:42+00:00

muzz

Guest

someone ought to put up some serious $ and race them all off. Would be a huge event! They used to do it back in the day on "British Comedy Gone to the Dogs" show. Remember Bernie Lowther got up one year in an upset

2013-09-06T22:25:05+00:00

te wanihi rowe

Guest

what about kevin gordon it says that he can do 10.8 in a 100m. and shaun johnson its not that easy catching micheal jennings when jennings got a 15 to 20 meter head start. and david meads

2013-09-03T10:52:45+00:00

n/a

Guest

david mead, kevin gordon james roberts, shaun johnson, jarryd hayne

2013-08-24T09:36:09+00:00

OUT-SOUTH

Guest

Glen Fisiiahi Shaun Johnson Kevin Locke Tim Simona

2013-07-10T06:33:17+00:00

Veronica

Guest

I'd say Shaun Johnson, after watching him run down Jennings