I was having a drink with a few mates the other day, and talk eventually swung to sports, and ultimately, rugby league. Now, as fans of sci-fi and Doctor Who, talk turned to time travel.
What if we had a little blue police box that could go back through history, and we had to pick a rugby league team to play a match that would decide the fate of the world?
Who would we pick from beginning of (rugby league) time to present day?
It’s tougher than you might think, and none of us came up with a single agreed side. But I thought I would share my team list with you, and see what Roarers can come up with.
Fullback – Greg Inglis
Yep, GI. Whether you agree or not, fullback is where Inglis has played his best footy. He has good stats since making the switch, and I had to have him in my team somewhere, seeing as the centres and halves were taken by players who had to go there.
Right wing – Josh Mansour
Ok, call me biased, or insane, whatever, but his barnstorming, work-horse like runs, ability to find the line, and finishing plays (like a true winger) for Penrith this year make this easy for me to argue. Find a better winger in the game than him this year, and good luck doing that.
I think this young fella has a big future in the game, and his inclusion in the Kangaroos side will prove me right. Unlucky to miss out on a NSW wing spot, the man with the beard to rival Nate Myles pips everyone else to win the number two jersey.
Right centre – Reg Gasnier
Do I need to explain this one? Really?
Left centre – Jarryd Hayne
Much like the above, and much as I dislike his inconsistency, he deserves to be here. He’ll be an Immortal, whether I agree or not, and I see him holding a premiership trophy aloft one day, not just a lone series win for NSW.
Left wing – Ken Irvine
Arguably league’s greatest winger, and picked in the number five for the team of the century. I think no more needs to be said, really.
Five-eighth – Johnathan Thurston
While you could say Wally Lewis deserves this spot, or Darren Lockyer, or even Brad Fitler, I think JT eclipses them all. With Joey Johns in the seven I could not leave JT out, and so five-eighth he is.
Halfback – Andrew Johns (c)
OK, while I didn’t rate him as highly as his brother Matty during his playing days, he really has been the best half, ever, and his career stats back that up. His ability to take a losing side and get the win was second to none. And honestly, has there ever been anyone with suck an accurate kicking game?
Maybe Jamie Soward or Hazem El-Masri, but I still don’t think so. Joey’s knowledge of the game is exceptional, and should he so desire it, could rival Gus Gould for the ultimate knowledge of the game. He also gets the honour of captain.
Prop – Arthur Beetson
Big Artie, need I say more? While I was unfortunate to have not witnessed his playing days in person by only a year or so, I’ve seen the footage, and the man could show modern props a thing or two about straight running and hit-ups.
Hooker – Cameron Smith (vc)
I don’t think anyone will disagree here. There has never been a better player at hooker than Cam. A future Immortal for sure. And my vice captain for this side.
Prop – Shane Webcke
I’ll take arguments here that there may have been tougher, better players than him in the front row (I doubt it, though), but I’d not have him out of any side if I could pick him. Would you stand in his way while he runs at you? I didn’t think so.
Second row – Norm Provan
Another who was before my time, but the man’s game is legendary, and would we have a trophy named after him if he weren’t one of the greatest players of the game? Picked in this very spot for the Team of the Century, it’s indisputable.
Second row – Sonny Bill Williams
Yeah, I went there. Let’s face it, although he was clearly more focused on preserving his body for union this year, when his mind is in the game there hasn’t been too many who can beat him.
He’s played on the wing, in the centres, the halves, at lock and in the second row. The game’s most versatile and skilled player, an all-round athlete and a damaging ball runner. His shoulder charge was missed by many this year, myself included, but his defence was still solid.
Lock – Paul Gallen
I could have gone with Johnny Raper or Luke Lewis, or a number of other players. I do really, really hate this guy, but I could not leave him out of a starting side. He is a grub, a thug, a liar and a cheat. But there is no better man to have at lock than Gallen.
He won’t be an Immortal, no matter what any deluded NSW fan might think, and it’s not the ‘performance-enhancing drugs’ thing that will stop him, it’s just there are better modern players. But better forwards? None.
Interchange
Luke Lewis
The man is unstoppable. He puts his body on the line every game, and gives 100 per cent. He can also cover any number of positions, has a limited but effective kicking game, a dangerous offload and quick feet. He’s no slouch in the defensive line, either.
Graeme Langlands
Never saw him play, but I’ve seen footage. That, and his inclusion in the Team of the Century, was enough for me to pick him. It might not be fashionable to have a fullback/wing on the bench, but would you leave him out?
Johnny Raper
He has to make the side, but I benched him for Gallen. I can’t believe it, even as I’m typing it. However, I stand by my choices.
Sam Burgess
Did you see his performance in the grand final? What the heck will Souths do without this man? Little George might stand up for him, but Sam gets the last spot in this side. I would also have had him at lock but for Gallen being bloody annoying and just that bit more experienced and dirty. Someone has to get under the opposition’s skin, and Michael Ennis is nowhere near good enough for even this brief mention.
So that’s my team. I’d have big Mal Meninga as 18th man and Blocker Roach as 19th. Coached by Phil Gould, this team would be unstoppable.
If I was to include players who’d never played league, I’d have booted Luke Lewis from the bench for Jona Lomu, and Gallen from lock for Dwayne Johnson (The Rock) and that’s it. So have a go, Roarers. Who would you pick?
Squidward
Roar Rookie
From who I've seen. Or at least been blown away by old footage I've seen 1. Piug aubert 2. Inglis 3. R. Gasnier 4. Fittler 5. Hayne 6. Thurston 7. Joey 8. Gallen 9. Smith 10. Lazo 11. Artie 12. Burgess 13. Clyde 14. Wal Lewis 15. Proven 16. SBW 17. Tallis Dessie & Gould Ron Palmer Mc hammerhead Sharks & manly cheergirls
mushi
Guest
I thought I was a fan of Doctor Who but I given a finger less epileptic frog has a better chance of playing Tchaikovsky than me understanding the the article I'm obviously not.
Tripehound
Guest
This side would knock spots off the rest 1. Darren Lockyer 2. Tom van Vollenhoven 3. Reg Gasnier 4. Mal Meninga 5. Billy Boston 6. Wally Lewis 7. Alex Murphy 8. Arthur Beetson 9. Cameron Smith 10. Cliff Watson 11. Ray Price 12. Johnny Raper 13. Vince Karalius 14. Ellery Hanley 15. Gorden Tallis 16. SBW 17. Les Boyd
jammel
Guest
Best Rugby League team I've seen: Lockyer Hancock Renouf Meninga(C) Inglis Daley Langer(V) Lazarus AJohns Webcke Menzies Tallis Clyde Slater Fittler Harrogen Scott
Johnno
Guest
Glenn Innes Aust side-1980-2014 1)Inglis 2)Hayne 3)Mal 4)Steve Rogers 5)Wendall Sailor 6)Wally Lewis 7)Andrew Johns 13)Ray Price 12)Wayne Pearce 11)Brad Clyde 10)Lazo 9)Cameron Smith 8)Blocker Bench: Webke,Gallen,Tallis,Craig Wing(need a utility Wing played test for OZ/and origin in many positions) So yep are you saying Glen Inness, that side would beat the (1980-2014) best pom/kiwi sides by 40-points.
Dallas
Guest
Had to find a spot for Lockyer, Thurston, johns and Fittler as they are the best 4 players that I have seen play the game. Slater is not far behind. Lockyer carried the broncos and maroons from fullback between 2001-2004, I'm not sure that slater could do that
Albo
Guest
Yes Ben, Its pretty pointless trying to put together a "best team ever" without nominating an era of the game that they would be playing in ? If they were to play tomorrow under current NRL rules, I couldn't pick many of those great players of previous eras. They just couldn't match the current players under the current rules. But If the game was to be played under unlimited tackle rule with real scrums & scrum penalties, like in the 50's & 60's you might have a completely different team ! A handful could play across all eras, but most wouldn't. Under Today's Rules Team 1. Greg Inglis 2. Josh Mansour 3. Bobby Fulton 4. Jamie Lyons 5. Brett Morris 6. Wally Lewis 7. Andrew Johns 8. Sam Burgess 9. Cam Smith 10.James Graham 11. SBW 12.Paul Gallen 13. Brad Clyde Bench / Interchange : Jonathan Thurston, Terry Randall, Nate Myles, Greg Bird Under Unlimited Tackle, Real Scrums, Rules 1. Greg Inglis 2. Ken Irvine 3. Bobby Fulton 4. Reg Gasnier 5. Johnny King 6. Wally Lewis 7. Andrew Johns 8. Sam Burgess 9. Royce Simmons 10 James Graham 11. Arthur Beetson 12. Ron Coote 13. Johnny Raper Replacements ( not interchange) : Terry Randall, Alfie Langer, Paul Gallen, Changa Langlands
The eye
Guest
He's not in your team either..what did you base his omission on ?
da plane
Guest
stick to drinking Ben you might make more sense
Dallas
Guest
Billy slater doesn't go looking for the ball?? He is the busiest player and most energetic player ever to play the game
Ben Lott
Roar Pro
I think too many people misunderstood the purpose of what I've written, showing either terrible editing by the Roar, or maybe the purpose wasn't clear enough on my part... either way, it was a bit of fun, and I'm pretty sure no-one would agree with who I'd picked, but I stand by it. If anyone was a Doctor Who fan, you may have understood some of the quirky selections based on heart and effort, rather than some overstated 'Immortal" status chosen by a magazine that overlooks Joey John's drug use, but savages Gallen for the same thing... bit rich if you ask me. Many of the player positions are different to what they were 20 years ago, let alone 50, so some of the Immortals won't make it in the modern game at all, just like some current players wouldn't have stood a chance against some of the Immortals.
The eye
Guest
If you re allowed to field favourite players a la Mansour then I'm putting BJ Leilua in.....dunno about SBW anymore,'momentary' greatness doesn't get you into these teams..Lockyer is the first back picked and Webcke the first forward..you want Johnsy and Lewis,blokes with big hearts like Kerry Boustead,Mal and the Crow..and Mal Reilly...players who go looking for the ball will always have priority at the next level to those who 'princess' it eg Hayne,Greggy,Billy,Sonny..great players but wouldn't have them guarding the galaxy.
mushi
Guest
1. Lockyer 2. Inglis 3. Meninga 4. Daley 5. Hayne 6. Lewis 7. Johns 13. Fittler 12. Clyde 11. Sironen 10. Petro IalwaysbutcheryourlastnamesoI'vegivenuptypingit 9. Smith 8. Lazurus Interchange (went two forwards, a half and an outside back) 14. Slater (outside back) 15. Thurston (half/hooker) 16. Tallis 17. Harrogan
Ken
Guest
I don't know where to start - plenty of others have already listed more... um, conventionally superior.... teams to the one in the article. Leaving out multiple immortals but finding a place for Mansour though, come clean Ben, this list was created after 3am wasn't it :-) Mansour played well this year, actually his game is very similar to Brett Morris - except that, despite playing in a top 4 teams, Mansour scored tries and made linebreaks at a slower rate while missing heaps more tackles and making far more errors than Morris. Apart from Morris though, and Semi Radradra who won winger of the year at the Dally M's, I really wouldn't rate any other wingers ahead of him this year....
Dallas
Guest
1. Lockyer 2. Hayne 3. Inglis 4. M gasnier 5. Sailor 6. Thurston 7. Johns 8. Gallen 9.smith 10. Burgess 11. SBW 12. Tallis 13. Fittler
The Barry
Roar Guru
Mansour = best winger of all time?!?!? Hahahahaha. I think you put the wrong Lewis on the bench. For mine longevity is also part of picking these sides so that rules out SBW and Burgess. Otherwise you could justify picking 2012 Ben Barba, 1991 Ewan McGrady, 1990 Jason Martin, 1983 Jeff Masterman, 2005 Tim Smith, etc.
Glenn Innes
Guest
Johnno - The best Australian team 1980-2014 would put forty on that team, Ellery Hanley and maybe Morley(people have short memories he was bloody good player) and arguably Burgess are the only one who would get a run in a combined team.
Johnno
Guest
Best GB/pom side since 1980-2014. So many mistakes on this side as I don't know all the players, but I'll have a go 1)Gary Connolly 2)Jason Robinson 3)Keith Senior 4)Gary Schofield 5)Ryan Hall or Martin Offiah 6)Kevin Sinfield 7)Bobby Goulding 13)Ellery Hanley 12)Sam Burgess 11)Gareth Ellis 10)James Graham 9)Kieren Cunningham 8)Kevin Ward Bench Paul Sculthorpe Adrian Morley Andy Platt Shaun Edwards Coach: Malcom Reilly Good luck beating that side
Johnno
Guest
How about this one Best kiwi side since 1980-2014, I could be very rusty as some players I don't know how good they were eg Sorenson brothers. 1)Ritchie Barnett 2)Vatuvei 3)Kevin Iro/ or Craig Inness 4)Jarred Mcracken 5)RTS or Vanikolo, i'm going RTS he's that good already 6)Benji Marshall 7)Stacey Jones 13)Mark Graham (c) 12)SBW 11)Steve Kearney 10)Wiki 9)Issac Luke 8)Kurt Sorenson Bench: Craig Smith Hugh Mcghan Robbie Paul Nikau Coach: Brian Mclennan Good luck beating that side
dubblebubble
Guest
For whatever reason it's not letting me edit it so I'll just put in this is of the last 25 years.