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If another planet was discovered and they happened to play the greatest game of all, who would you pick to represent earth?
This is a wild proposition, but it raises an interesting question about who the best players in the world are at the moment. One thing’s for sure, all the players will essentially come from Australia’s world-class NRL competition.
This is my team, with the striking element being the domination of players who aren’t Australian.
Fullback – Roger Tuivasa-Sheck
The New Zealand fullback has regained his elusive step and fully recovered from his ACL knee injury. His game awareness and experience make him the preferred option over the Dragons highly impressive fullback, Matt Dufty.
Another candidate is James Tedesco, however he’s failed to find his top form in 2018 since moving from the Tigers. Billy Slater is also in fine form and would potentially come into consideration if injuries occurred.
Wingers – Jordan Rapana and Suliasi Vunivalu
Canberra Raider and New Zealander Jordan Rapana is a pacey and skillful player who lives by the motto that nothing is impossible. Fiji’s 100kg winger, Vunivalu, is a trump card for the Storm with immense power and speed to burn. Other candidates are the Storm’s other winger, Josh Addo-Carr and Penrith’s man-mountain Josh Mansour, who is currently out injured.
Centres – Solomone Kata and Euan Aitken
The Warriors muscle-bound brute, Kata, is a handful for every defender that runs in his path. He’s almost impossible to stop unless opposition teams manage to form two or three players in his way. The other centre choice, St.George Illawarra’s Euan Aitken, is a very different proposition, preferring to make his impact via his electrifying speed, step and positional play.
Five-eighth – Gareth Widdop
England’s key man has created opportunities all year for his ladder-topping Dragons. He is a superb runner of the ball who also possesses a great kicking game. James Maloney is a close second.
(AAP Image/Action Photographics, Robb Cox)
Half-back – Shaun Johnson
In past years, Johnathan Thurston would have had a monopoly on this position, but it’s a different scenario in 2018. The grab for this position is competitive, but the New Zealander gets the nod ahead of other candidates Ben Hunt, Luke Brooks and the injured Nathan Cleary.
Lock – Sam Burgess (c)
This England forward could play anywhere in the pack and make equal impact – is there anyone more competitive than this strongman? He’s a player that all fans want in their team. Who can forget him playing most of the Rabbits’ 2014 grand final win with a broken jaw?
Second-rowers – Tyson Frizell and Jason Taumalolo
Both these players are tough and relentless in attack and defence. They won’t let anyone down and will take the energy out of the opposition as they attempt to bring them down.
Props – Reagan Campbell-Gillard and James Graham
A Fiji/Aussie and a Pom make up the bookends, offering a bucket load of flair from Penrith’s tackle breaker Campbell-Gillard and a no-nonsense attitude from the fiery James Graham.
Hooker – Issac Luke
At this point in the season Luke beats Melbourne’s Cameron Smith and Souths’ Damien Cook, but it’s impossible to leave Smith out of the team so he makes the bench.
Bench
Cameron Smith
Nelson Asofa-Solomona
Matt Gillet
Jake Trbojevic
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