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After reading a number of articles regarding teams’ best players and a countdown list from 100 to one, I would like to throw my hat into the ring.
So today I present a team that I would send into battle if aliens or any other life form were to challenge planet Earth to a game of rugby league.
This is not a team of champions; rather, it’s a champion team. It’s a group of men who would be able to work together with styles meshing to enable ultimate victory no matter who the opponent.
A mixture of past, present and future heroes make up the squad. This is not exclusive to Australian players; international also qualify as long as they have played in the NRL or for state league competitions.
Fullback, 1: Billy Slater
The world’s best team needs the world’s best-ever fullback. Many would argue that Clive Churchill should be here, but Slater is the best fullback of all time. His individual try in the 2005 Origin series, along with his speed, skill and ability under the highball, is something we’ve never seen before. The two-time Churchill medal winner needs to be on this team.
(Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)
Wingers, 2 and 5: Josh Addo-Carr and Suliasi Vunivalu
The best fullback in the game needs the two best wingers, and these two are the best combination of wingers I have ever seen.
I could have chosen Wendell Sailor, Ken Irvine or Eric Grothe Snr, but have you ever seen any of these men jump 16 feet into the air to catch a ball or set up a try off the boot like Addo-Carr did for Slater over the weekend? I certainly haven’t.
These two speed, power and play-making players are the best the NRL has to offer, therefore they are no-brainers for this team. They’re two future stars, no doubt.
Centres, 3 and 4: Mal Meninga and Steve Renouf
How could you not pick Big Mal? with this tree-trunk legs, speed for a big man and his ability to kick a goal, Mal is the perfect choice for the power in the back line and Renouf is the speed.
A try-scoring machine, it was hard to go past Renouf. It was not an easy choice, as I could’ve picked Steve Rogers or Jarryd Hayne, but I went with Renouf as I feel he would be the perfect accompaniment to Meninga. It’s a strong backline for this team.
Five-eighth, 6: Wally Lewis
The best-ever team needs the best-ever player. Lewis was the best playmaker ever to play the game and could either individually or with team members set up some of the best tries ever seen. His hard defence and tall statue for a playmaker is necessary to gel the team.
Halfback, 7: Cooper Cronk
Langer was the perfect halfback for Lewis, but the Storm’s big three is too hard to break up. Remember, I want a champion team, not a team of champions. Cronk is the must-have halfback to flow the play with Slater and the other member of the big three – so no second guesses who plays at hooker.
Props, 8 and 10: Glenn Lazarus and Petero Civoniceva
‘The brick with eyes’ and ‘Mr Reliable” are pretty much the two best props the game has ever produced.
Lazarus won five premierships with three different clubs – Canberra, Brisbane and Melbourne, neither of which would’ve found success without him up front. He’s the first choice for the front row every time.
Civioniceva, the man who has played more Origins than any other prop, is the best partner for Lazarus. Although they never played together, they would work perfectly together.
(AAP Image/Dean Lewins)
Hooker, 9: Cameron Smith (captain)
Smith is the best player of his generation and many would say the best player ever, even better than Lewis. A general of the field that controls the play from dummy half like no other before, his goal-kicking ability or his quick thinking on the field is above all. The man that now sets all the record has to be on this team, no question.
Second row, 11 and 12: Gorden Tallis and Arthur Beetson
The ‘Raging Bull’ and the forward that played like a halfback are two of the best second-rowers the game has ever seen. Their power and aggression is exactly what this team needs to fire up the others to be as hardcore as possible on the field.
Lock forward 13: Bradley Clyde
Clyde is without doubt one of the most underrated players of all time. A two-time Clive Churchill Medal winner – and the first to earn the award from the losing side – Clyde was one of the hardest workers on the field, and after careful consideration, he gets the spot.
These days a lock is just another front-rower, but I have gone with a man who can fit into the back line as a more traditional lock.
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On the bench:
14: Darren Lockyer
A perfect utility player who could slot into the one, sixm seven or even nine position if needed. With his playmaker skill and goalkicking if needed, the man who set all the records for Smith to break has to be on this team.
15: Shane Webcke
The best replacement for either Lazarus or Petero, Petero’s long-time partner in crime would easily slot into the forward pack to bring raw speed and power to the front line and continue the go forward for the side.
16: Gary Larson
A hardworking tacking machine, a disciplined man on and off the field, simply one of the best second rowers that played the game – Larson’s work ethic is what got him on this team. During his career he would on average notch more tackles than anybody. One my favourites.
17: Jason Taumalolo
A pure powerhouse, the 2016 Dally M Medal winner is the best-of-bench powerhouse that has the ability to slot into anywhere in the scrum pack. A future master talent who is going to be a pleasure to watch and a must-have addition to my squad.
Coach: Wayne Bennett
The Grandmaster is the only man with skills as a coach to gel this team into defeating any out-of-world threat that comes our way. With seven premierships across two clubs and Origin and international coaching experience, he is the only man who could lead a team this good.
This is what I believe is the best-ever NRL team. What’s yours?
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