Who are the best rugby league imports?

When the Warriors entered the NRL in 1995 they sought the services of northern hemisphere talent like Andy Platt, Dennis Betts and coach John Monie.

All three were largely ineffective and the Warriors have mostly avoided recruiting from the north since.

This season they have acquired Sam Tomkins from Wigan. Tomkins promises to be one of the most exciting recruits in NRL history.

He scored 144 tries in 151 games for Wigan, an extraordinary strike rate in any competition.

He set the Nines’ alight on the weekend with his pace, vision and flair.

Given rugby league is only played professionally, and to a high standard, in three countries, it’s surprising how few recruits have actually been successful in the NSWRL/ARL/NRL.

Who are the best recruits from overseas to Australia? These six would make any list wouldn’t they?

Dave Bolton – Balmain
Bolton arrived from Wigan in 1964 with a big reputation. In 300 games for the red and whites he scored 127 tries, won five trophies and represented Great Britain eight times.

Bolton usually played in the halves, though he could cover fullback as well.

He was known for his guile, speed and precise kicking. In 1969 he helped the Tigers to the grand final and kicked two field goals as they shocked South Sydney, 11-2.

Bolton retired from football when he was dropped to reserve grade the following year.

He finished with 78 games for Balmain and later coached Parramatta in 1973 and 1974.

Malcolm Reilly – Manly
Malcolm Reilly was a gritty and skilful lock who helped Great Britain win the 1970 Ashes series and then settled in Australia to play for Manly.

Reilly played 89 games for the Sea Eagles and won premierships in 1972 and 1973.

An even finer coach, Reilly guided Newcastle to their first ever title in the 1997 ARL competition, ironically beating the Sea Eagles in the grand-final with Darren Albert scoring a try on the siren.

Reilly was named Newcastle’s coach of the century and in terms of premierships won he is the most successful British player/coach to have competed in Australia.

Garry Schofield – Balmain, Wests
Hull is not a powerhouse in English rugby league, but Gary Schofield was a powerhouse for Hull. In 122 games he scored 824 points, including 107 tries.

In Australia he played a combined 55 games for the Magpies and Tigers from 1985-1989 and scored 33 tries. Such was his impact he was nominated as a centre for the combined Wests Tigers team of the century in 1999.

An explosive runner, Schofiled hit hard in defence and could inspire his team, especially if they were flat.

In 1990 he won the Golden Boot award as best rugby league player on the planet.

Ellery Hanley – Balmain, Wests
‘Mr Magic,’ ‘The Black Pearl,’ as he was known in his professional rugby league career, Hanley scored 428 tries in 498 appearances. He played lock, centre, five-eighth and wing.

His stay in Australia was brief, but memorable. After the 1988 Ashes series, Hanley played in the Tigers remaining games of the NSWRL season.

He added much-needed pace and flair to the Tigers’ backline and scored tries in each of Balmain’s four sudden-death matches when the club made the grand final from equal-fifth place.

In the grand final Hanley was the victim of a vicious high-shot from Terry Lamb when the Tigers were leading the Bulldogs, 6-4. Hanley left the field and the Tigers lost the game 12-24.

Noa Nadruku – Canberra, North Queensland
Noa Nadruku was the first Fijian to be a superstar in Australian rugby league. He played five Tests for Fiji in union before joining Canberra in 1993.

An electric winger, Nadriku made an immediate impact in his debut season scoring 22 tries in 20 games.

In 1994 he was equally explosive as the Raiders won their third premiership in six years, thrashing the Bulldogs in the grand final. Nadruku’s solo try remains one of the best scored in a grand final.

He slowed a little in his later years, but his impact can be seen when watching the likes of Lote Tuqiri and Akuila Uate.

Adrian Morley – Sydney Roosters
Sam Burgess might be flashier, but for toughness and durability it’s hard to go past Adrian Morley from Leeds as a prop.

Morley played 113 games for the Roosters from 2001-2006. Consistently among the best props in the league, Morley played in three grand finals in a row from 2002-2004, winning a premiership in 2002.

In 2005 Morley became the first Englishman to complete the ‘rugby league trifecta’, winning Premierships in both the National rugby league, Super League and also winning the rugby league Challenge Cup.