This year we have had the privilege of seeing some of the best individual performances on a rugby league field, and there have been a number of players lighting it up each week with their freakish talent and ability.
Among the elite group, however, ther have been none better than superstar fullbacks Greg Inglis and Jarryd Hayne.
So this begs the question, who is the better player? Who deserves all the accolades? Does it even matter? Or are we simply tricked into believing that this battle of the fullbacks is even close at all?
Hayne has played 17 games for the Parramatta Eels, scoring 17 tries and gaining 3163 metres from 257 runs. He has also made 21 line breaks and his team sit in ninth with 26 points.
Inglis has helped South Sydney to first place on the NRL ladder, with 32 points, and has scored 10 tries in 18 games. He has also posted 2680 metres from 256 runs and 13 line breaks.
So what do these stats tell us?
Basically, Jarryd Hayne has Greg Inglis covered in three major statistical categories- tries, metres gained and line breaks.
These stats are reflective of the season Hayne is having. Let’s not forget how well this bloke is going even in the aftermath of Greg Inglis’ dominant three-try performance against the Broncos.
It’s no surprise that Hayne leads Inglis in those three statistical categories, Hayne has to shoulder far more of the attacking workload due to the lack of talent around him.
Inglis is surrounded by superstars and is playing for a South Sydney side that will go close winning the comp. With the likes of Sam Burgess, Ben Te’o, John Sutton, Adam Reynolds and upcoming future starts like Dylan Walker and Alex Johnston, Inglis doesn’t need to be best on ground week-in, week-out.
The Bunnies don’t rely on him to single-handedly win games. Sure we see flashes of brilliance in each game but his dominant performances are few and far between.
Hayne is another story. For him the expectation and pressure to perform is higher than most stars in the game, he needs to score 17 tries in the season and have almost 1000 extra metres gained than Inglis because there is no one else to do it at Parramatta.
Parramatta need Hayne at his best every game and he can’t afford him to have a lazy match or quiet performance, like Inglis is accused of having occasionally. Parramatta are only at their best when Hayne is, and this season no one can argue that.
Hayne’s performance this year is reminiscent of his dominant 2009 season, in which he easily took home the Dally M Medal for player of the year. He looks like winning the coveted medal again. His combination of speed and skill has been on show in recent weeks and has the Eels competing for a surprise finals spot.
Now by no means am I comparing the two fullbacks’ overall careers, Hayne has been a part of eight losing NSW State of Origin campaigns and only played a handful of NRL finals games. Inglis has achieved nearly everything in the game, with a legit premiership that last thing on his list.
The biggest difference between these two fullbacks this season is consistency. Hayne can play 80 minutes of attacking and intense football and still has the energy to make try-saving tackles.
In Round 6 Hayne was at his best against the defending premiers Sydney Roosters. He made two miraculous try-saving tackles on superstar back rower Sonny Bill-Williams, while also setting up winger Ken Sio for a double in the tight fought 14 -12 win.
Hayne was brilliant in several losses this year too, his performance against both the Cowboys and Panthers in a losing side was inspirational.
While the Eels have struggled this year they certainly are a far cry from the wooden spoon, and it’s all because of Jarryd Hayne.
How he has got this team to within in a whisker of the top eight is nothing short of a miracle.
Inglis is more suited to an explosive brand of football and only injects himself when he can see the right opportunity, which in some games can be as little as four to five occasions.
Inglis showed us glimpses of his ability through a phenomenal solo effort, his length-of-the-field run-away try against the Broncos in Round 8 was one of the best individual efforts you will ever see in rugby league. He showed off his raw power and speed by bumping off would be defenders, stepping and dancing his way down field for a spectacular 90-metre try.
The 27-year-old is part of the most dominant Queensland side of all time and arguably the greatest rugby league team. He has one of the strongest forward packs in 10 years at the Bunnies and played most of his career with the likes of Cameron Smith, Billy Slater and Darren Lockyer, players who had the ability to make the people around them perform better.
This season has been somewhat different as he has been called upon a lot more to provide his team with a spark or make a game-changing play. It has not been as smooth sailing as recent years and the South Sydney’s premiership window is slowly closing.
In saying that Greg Inglis has stepped up to the plate a few times this season and has not disappointed, his huge physical presence and speed is a deadly combination that demands the attention of any worthy defender. Lately, Inglis has been getting the better of his opponents, but I’m not sure his consistency is there yet and he is certainly not on the same level as Hayne.
It would be interesting if Hayne had the opportunity to play in some of the talented teams that Inglis was lucky enough to be a part of. Would he have achieved the same success? Or if Inglis went to a team with half the talent, would he able to dominate the game like he does now or would he crumble under the pressure?
So which fullback is better? Hayne for my mind is not only the premier fullback in the game right now but the most in-form player in the NRL. His freakish stats speak for themselves, and his ability to create something from nothing when his side needs it is second to none.
The fact Hayne is in better form this year than he was in his famous 2009 season speaks volumes about how good he is travelling this season. Inglis, while scoring some spectacular tries, isn’t on the same level as Hayne right now. His huge game against the Broncos was impressive, but he has struggled to back those stellar performances up.
I’m applauding Hayne for never giving up, for never taking a backwards step even after back-to-back wooden spoons and so many embarrassing loses. He has every excuse for his team to be sitting on the bottom of the ladder but the Parramatta Eels are vying for a finals appearance.
While Hayne hasn’t enjoyed the luxuries of world class forwards and dominant back lines he has still managed to maintain a mental toughness and unrelenting commitment to be better. He has still dominated the sport like a winner and has once again shown us why he is the best player in the world.
Simon
Guest
I just want to know if the NRL is going to drop the rule that requires Hayne to complain like a brat to the ref twice per half. Its not a good look folks! I hope the kids dont copy him on sunday mornings!
johnno
Guest
Bit of an article about nothing really. Plenty of good players around in other positions just as important to their sides. Fullbacks much more flambouyant but cam smith does much more work for example
Me
Guest
That's ok man. We are all just fans here. Not professional journalists. It happens. Unfortunately professional journalists are even worse.
Sam Atkinson
Roar Pro
Fair point, i should have chosen my worlds more carefully when talking about Hayne and Inglis. I just started to get caught up in writing it and got a little too passionate about what i was saying , but when you actually write and post articles to the site, it happens. Thanks for the feed back.
bearfax
Guest
JimBob you obviously saw very little of Cliff Lyons. Cliff was consistently the difference between Manly winning and losing. Ask Menzies what he thinks of Lyons. Cliff controlled Manly's play CONSISTENTLY during their best years and tried his heart out during their poorer years. I consider him Manly's second best player I've seen and I've been watching them since 1966. Sorry but you're way off base with that comment. He was one of Manly's most consistent performers.
Chris morrison
Guest
I am a rampant Souths supporter and believe that GI is one if the best to ever play the game. Ever. Dally m positional player in 3 positions. Won multipal premierships. Golden boot. Clive Churchill medal winner and 8 straight origin series which we will most likely never see again and even after all that Hayne is the best player in 2014 by a long shot as he was in 2009 (I think it was). Undeniably Hayne is a freakish talen consistency lets him down (year to year) however it's a very interesting article as Inglis has played in some really quality teams whilst Hayne has let's face it, carries the eels for years. Both great players no doubt and both walk in to the Aussie side
Me
Guest
"Among the elite group, however, ther have been none better than superstar fullbacks Greg Inglis and Jarryd Hayne." "While Hayne hasn’t enjoyed the luxuries of world class forwards and dominant back lines he has still managed to maintain a mental toughness and unrelenting commitment to be better. He has still dominated the sport like a winner and has once again shown us why he is the best player in the world." You should try harder to remember what your own article is about. Last I checked those players are all eligible for the greatest player in the world discussion.
Sam Atkinson
Roar Pro
So my article is a caparison of Hayne and Inglis , NOT to discuss who is the top 10 players of the game , you're comments are off topic.
eagleJack
Guest
I wonder how GI would have gone at Parra during those years? The fact that Hayne would step up when wearing the sky blue, when surrounded by other class players, speaks volumes about his ability. And consistency in my opinion.
eagleJack
Guest
I say "small" caveat because there are many ways you could analyse the statistics. On the face of it both players have had the same amount of involvements in 2014. Hayne: 256 runs Inglis: 257 runs Yet Hayne has had greater impact from his runs scoring 70% more tries, 18% more metres gained, and 62% more linebreaks. From one less game. This is despite the fact that every opposition team knows that if you shutdown Hayne then you shutdown the Eels. So he is double and triple teamed, yet he still comes away with these phenomenal numbers. So saying that Hayne has better numbers due to him being heavily relied on, or having greater weight of opportunity, may actually be false. It could be that Inglis just doesn't get as much bang for his buck. Either way both are top shelf players. With Hayne just pipping Inglis in 2014.
Rod
Guest
Both great players, but I still think overall GI has been the better player. The game is about attack and defence. Inglis is better defensively and plays tougher, but I must admit Hayne played tough against the Dogs and he was close to the best player on the pitch .
Lachlan Simpson
Guest
I think it's almost a bit unfair on parramatta to suggest that all their success this year has come from Hayne single-handedly lifting the team. I mean, he's been a common theme in the previous 3 years so it's not like he showed up this year and brought them into contention. what about Brad Arthur? Corey Norman? Nathan Peats? They all arrived this year and felt immediate success. It's also odd that there's suggestion GI isn't capable of the exact same thing. If memory serves, Souths recent dominance coincided almost directly with him assuming the fullback role at the club. And it's been more than just one year of success since... He is a far more consistent performer at fullback than Hayne is. It's been 3 very solid years from him with minimal to none poor showings at the back.
JimBob
Guest
I am surprise that a NRL fan can be so pathetic in their own argument Get a life you one eyed person. If you had taken the time to read the post it was about comparisons of Form. Are you going to tell us now that Inglis is in better form than Haynes. Inglis reminds me a lot of Cliffy Lyons .Only injects themselves in the game if the team are wining. I could say more about Inglis and his involvement, however I believe the responses in this forum have covered same
Lachlan Simpson
Guest
Either way, tries are a very poor judge of form. Otherwise, Nathan Merritt would be the best player of the generation!
Ret
Guest
GI's versatility is something rarely mentioned in these discussions. In various stages of his career he has been arguably the best winger, centre and fullback in the game. Also managed to win the Churchill Medal playing at five-eighth.
The Barry
Roar Guru
I don't think its fair to compare stats as they play different roles in their teams and the Eels rely more on Hayne than the Rabbits do Inglis. Both are lightning quick, strong and look great in full flight. I would say that Inglis edges Hayne in strength and power. Hayne is maybe slightly quicker, has better footwork and is a better ballplayer. Inglis is a superior defender. Both are big game players. If Hayne doesn't get 3 Dally M points everyone says he's had a shocker and been inconsistent. Inglis is given a lot more luxury to have off days and quiet spells. So hard to split. I think Hayne has the edge in consistency at the moment so I have him a nose in front but then I think of Inglis' game on Friday or his try against the Broncos earlier in the season or his game in the 07 grand final or that run for Qld when he steamrolled David Williams and whoever was the NSW centre.
Scrubbit
Guest
Criminally. If he played for Australia and NSW they wouldn't shut up about him.
The eye
Guest
He's just having a fabulous year..tailed off wooden spooners..origin sad sacks last year compared to fringe 8,SOO champion..Dally M contender/likely winner and wouldn't bet against him dethroning JT as Golden Boot holder for 2014..in his prime,tough call but I'd take him before Greggy..and then Gal and then Sam B.
Sideline Comm.
Guest
I hope that was not a serious reply, Clark. One man in a team can only be so good. The best teams are exactly that; TEAMS. For Hayne to carry a team to be on the cusp is amazing, and more than possibly any other current player, but he can only go so far himself. It's like you haven't even read or understood anything here.
bearfax
Guest
Look he's having a great year. But dont we get just a little weary of this 'Best in the World' carry on. Its a different player every year or so. Sure Hayne is playing some brilliant footy at present. But is he the best playing RL today? He's up there with the best but it depends on the week surely. Ingliss, Slater, Smith, Thurston, SBW, Cherry-Evans, B. Stewart, Burgess even Mini a couple of years ago, have all worn the tag. Some are even suggesting 'The Best Ever'. Dream on. Its great paper talk but the term 'Best' should only be used for those who have earned their wings over many years. Smith and Thurston are probably the only two I would risk with the tag at this stage. Hayne may get there, but lets see if he can maintain this year's efforts for the next five years. Then maybe he may deserve that tag.