Yesterday’s piece with the list of candidates for my teams sparked plenty of debate, and some class teams have already been named. Here are mine.
First team
Fullback – Clive Churchill
The ‘Little Master’, was just that, captain of this side.
Wings – Ken Irvine and Graeme Langlands
Irvine, the best winger I’ve ever seen in either code, and Langlands, normally fullback or centre, but could play anywhere in the backline, had to be in the side because he was such a brilliant footballer – “The best I’ve ever played with or against” was Bob Fulton’s description.
Centres – Reg Gasnier and Bob Fulton
‘Puff the Magic Dragon’ Gasnier was aptly nicknamed, the best rugby league player I’ve ever seen.
Bobby Fulton was a complete footballer who found holes that seemingly didn’t exist.
Five-eighth – Wally Lewis
Lewis switched to rugby league after the unbeaten 1977 Australian schoolboys rugby tour of Europe, deciding he would never beat Mark Ella for the Wallaby job, so to have a crack at league.
The decision saw Ella end up the greatest Wallaby five-eighth, and Lewis the greatest Kangaroo pivot.
Halfback – Johnathan Thurston
To be included in this side while still playing says it all, he is worth the price of admission on his own.
Lock – Johnny Raper
Without peer in his favourite position, his weekly high-quality performances have never been matched.
Second-rowers – Norm Provan and Artie Beetson
Provan was a giant of a man who turned in giant performances for the Dragons, NSW and Australia every week, and should have been an Immortal decades ago.
Beetson could play anywhere in the pack bar hooker, and fits into my side better as a second rower.
Props – Noel Kelly and John Sattler
No two tougher men ever pulled on a rugby league jersey, they made teak-tough look soft.
Hooker – Cameron Smith
The current Storm, Queensland, and Kangaroo skipper is the complete package in attack, defence, and landing goals.
Second team
Fullback – Darren Lockyer
He started his career as a fullback but ended up a five-eighth, brilliant at both.
Wings – Ian Moir and Eddie Lumsden
Moir was a magnificent finisher for Souths in their hey day. Lumsden was the same for the Dragons during their record-breaking 11 successive premierships.
Centres – Mal Meninga and Greg Inglis
Meninga, arguably the most powerful centre ever, would captain this side, while I have always contended Inglis is a magnificent centre, being closer to the action.
Five-eighth – Brad Fittler
A true champion footballer in every department.
Halfback – Peter Sterling
A master-class general who fired up every backline he ever served.
Lock – Ray Price
Non-stop action for every minute he played the game. He also played through the pain barrier better than anyone else.
Second-rowers – Ron Coote and Dick Thornett
Coote had a brilliant football brain and the speed to make it count. Thornett was a born sportsman as a triple Australian representative in rugby union, rugby league, and water polo.
Props – Kevin Ryan and Steve Roach
Both were as hard as nails, Ryan using his brute strength, Roach his powerful frame.
Hooker – Benny Elias
He was non-stop aggressive action. Be it attack or defence, his passion for playing was ever evident.
I would have liked to have found room for Danny Buderus, John O’Neill, Bobby McCarthy, and Wayne Pearce up front, and Les Johns, Graham Eadie, Johnny King, Harry Wells, John Brass, Arthur Summons, Brett Kenny, and Laurie Daley out the back, but there was no room.
A fascinating exercise taking a trip down memory lane.
steve warnock
Guest
Ask the old Pom forwards why Billy Smith once won consecutive Sunderland Medals playing half for Australia in Tests. It wasn't because he liked beer
steveng
Roar Rookie
Where is Billy Smith from the Dragons, David? Surely he was a legend and a player that was right up there with all that are mentioned on your list and of todays players. Smith was an absolute master around the rucks and scrums of the 60's and 70's and was a little general with very few pears.
matth
Guest
I've heard that Layne Beachley could surf a bit. I think Don Bradman could bat a bit. Walter Lindrum was quite good at billiards. I once heard that Heather McKay played a bit of squash.
CW
Guest
Will have a bash at a second all time squad. (Have included Fulton ahead on Lewis, Summons, Pittard etc. He played a lot of his career at five eigth) Graeme Langlands Greg Inglis Steve Renouf Mark Gasnier Mike Cleary Joey Johns Bobby Fulton Bradley Clyde Elton Rasmussen Bobby McCarthy Ken Kearney D Thornett Shane Webke Res: J O'Neil. C Smith, J Wittenberg, B Lindner.
CW
Guest
Our first team Lordy were almost spot on. Except for the halves. As half back I put Billy Smith way ahead of Thurston. I also had, Keith Holman, Peter Sterling and Andrew Johns ahead of Thurston. Back to Smithy. Any side that had both Smith and Raper in it was sure to win more games than it lost. They had the most uncanny partnership in the game. Kenny was my five eighth. Could also play anywhere in the three quarters. Lewis was my second choice from Lockyer, then Dennis Pittard, Jimmy Lisle and Trent Barret. For toughness would not go past Poppa Clay. The only other player we differ on is Cameron Smith. I opted for the boy from Eugowra, Ian Walsh. Hooker were hookers in those days not running dummy halves like today. Ken Kearney was my second choice.
sheek
Roar Guru
No Casper, We had some tremendous forwards around that time, we just couldn't get them on the paddock all at the same time. A similar pack 1982-84 might have read: Mark Loane, Simon Poidevin, David Codey, Steve Cutler, Steve Williams, Andy McIntyre, Bill Ross (82/83), Tom Lawton (84), Tony D'Arcy (82/83), Topo Rodriguez (84). Nothing soft about that pack, nothing at all. Backups: Steve Tuynman, Chris Roche, Tony Shaw/Ross Reynolds, Bill Campbell, Nigel Holt/David Hillhouse, Stan Pilecki, Mark McBain, John Coolican.
JohnnoMcJohnno
Guest
Some great teams listed, and some fantastic players. Here is my team : Fullback - Les Johns Wingers - Johnny King, Chris Johns Centres - Father John Cootes, John Brass 5/8 - Johnny Peard Halfback - Jonathan Thurston Lock - Johnny Raper 2nd Row - John Cartwright, Dallas Johnson Hooker - Andrew Johns Props - John O'Neill, Johnny Wittenberg Coach - John Arthur Gibson. I trust they would give a fair account of themselves.
The Magic Man
Roar Rookie
1 Billy Slater 2 Eric Grothe 3 Jarryd Hayne 4 Laurie Daley 5 Israel Folau 6 Brett Kenny 7 Andrew Johns 13 Sam Burgess 12 SBW 11 Brad Clyde 10 Webcke 9 Segeyaro 8 Lazarus I'd back this team to smoke both those two teams. Lol.... no Joey... no cred.
The Magic Man
Roar Rookie
Slater HSlaterHayn
riddler
Guest
cheers sheek.. how i would love to see those two teams play off against each other.. johns was amazing as is thurston.. but i would have catchy or hippy in there somewhere but that is just my personal bias there.. why not do a column of those teams sheek.. put them on both sites, the league and union.. could be some very passionate, opinionated responses i imagine!!
bryan
Guest
Thorpey swam a bit
langerthebronco
Guest
Thank Jamesb for Mentioning BEAVER MENZIS. All time top try scorer by a forward and second Highest NRL try scorer behind Irvine Top try scorer by a forward in a season and in doing so broke the 50 year record. Top try scorer of the 95 world cup. Who ever selects Cliffy as their half MUST have BEAVER.
ten four
Guest
I saw Fulton play .He was a truly brilliant player .I would have to disagree with your dad here .Meninga was outstanding but Fulton was better in my opinion
Realist 1975
Guest
Oops, Gary Jack is the best FB I have seen with Billy and Darren Lockyer in close proximity.
Realist1975
Guest
To me I can only select a best team from the players I have personally seen over the years. My best Kangaroo team would be similar to a lot of viewers post 1982. Anyways my best World team from 1982 - 2015 would be: Billy Slater, Greg Inglis, Mal Meninga, Brett Kenny, Martin Offiah, Wally Lewis, Jonathan Thurston, Ellery Hanley, Bradley Clyde, Mark Graham, Glenn Lazarus, Cameron Smith, Kevin Tamati. Res: Petero Cironiceva, Terry Lamb, Dean Bell, Andrew Johns. Emergencies: Laurie Daley, Brad Fittler, Sam Burgess, Phillip Clarke.
nerval
Guest
Mark Ella had played league for about 12 years before embarking on that union Schoolboys tour. If ever there was a true Leaguie, it was he. However, I think he missed out on selection to play any representative football in League, unlike other members of his family. I still await the deification of Ella's league coaches in the manner afforded to Geoff Mould...
MikeTV
Guest
That is correct. Andrew Johns played a huge role in helping ordinary players like Matt Gidley, Robbie O’Davis, Mark Hughes and even his brother Matthew Johns play to the best of their ability, reach representative honors and win premierships. Just look at the NRL 2005 season - when Johns was injured Newcastle lost every game and had basically cemented the wooden spoon by June. When Johns returned from injury, Newcastle won almost every game and only missed out on receiving his 4th Dally M Medal by one vote. When comparing half-backs, Andrew Johns is also best defender to ever play in the NRL/NSWRL. He rarely missed a tackle and loved physical confrontation.
Casper
Guest
Yes, but they would have been behind a soft pack
The Barry
Roar Guru
Fair enough Sheek. The comments were more about his 'toughness' and even then directed at the fighting component of the game rather than about his ability. Both meetings were by chance. The first with a former test player in a pub many years ago after he'd had more than a few. Maybe it was liquid bravado, maybe it was truth serum but I took it with a grain of salt. It was interesting when the second player told me the same thing.
The Barry
Roar Guru
100% correct MikeTV. There's nothing wrong with holding game 2 2005 up as the pinnacle because he was superb. This is completely subjective but he was as dominant in that game as any player in any game in origins history. He also did it in the 2001 grand final and won the 1997 grand final. There's another origin game in 99 where he absolutely slayed Queensland every time he touched the ball.