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.
[latest_videos_strip category=”league” name=”League”]
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?
James
Guest
Sorry, but Adam MacDougall has to be one of the wingers... He was better than both of the wingers here combined.
Connor Duke
Roar Rookie
If combinations are important than what about those in the greatest team of all, time the Dragons of the 50's and 60''s: Gasnier, Raper, Provan, Langlands? Based on pure talent this is my greatest 17: Slater; Irvine, Gasnier, Rogers, Inglis; Fulton, Thurston; Raper, Coote, Provan, Beetson, Smith, Hall. Reserves: Langlands, Lazarus, Tallis, Clyde. Those players are talented enough to easily form combinations with each other. Also many of them played together with each other, e.g. Rogers/Fulton, Beetson/Coote, Irvine/Gasnier/Raper/Langlands/Provan, Slater/Smith/Inglis/Thurston, etc.
Jason Andrews
Roar Pro
that means jack all when they have a record of 3-8 lampnoddle
Jason Andrews
Roar Pro
A 43 and 54 gamer that both have one premiership with the amount of tries they have scored is pretty good to me. I think they would be humbled by the fact I picked them.
Louis McIntyre
Roar Guru
To answer the question posed in the headline. No it's not. not even close. But in terms of the success of this article, It has had a lot of comments and probably a lot of views so at least their is some success there. It is controversial, but I am sure if you ask 43 gamer Addo-Carr and 54 gamer Vunivalu if they both became the greatest wingers of all time at the ripe old age of 22, they would polite ask for their names to be taken off this list.
Jason Andrews
Roar Pro
Thanks mate, really appreciate the support. Flatted that you think this is gutsy but this was motivated by other articles that others have done and I just expanded on the articles already written. But really appreciate the support, most comments have been in the negative but it’s nice to have positive feedback
Gus Paella
Guest
Jason, this article of yours is the gutsiest display of intestinal fortitude I have seen submitted to the roarers in a long, long time. You obviously have stones like John Sattler to send this out. Please keep the articles coming, fitting your perspective on league into box is like trying to catch smoke and I am fascinated by what I don't understand. Godspeed Jason, Godspeed.
BigJ
Roar Guru
I think that is why the author picked who he did. All but five have been coached by Bennett at some level. broncos, Qld, Australia
Forty Twenty
Guest
Renouf was a great player but Inglis was better in every aspect of the game. Menzies or Fittler would be two players I would consider on the bench and Larson wouldn't enter any serious discussions. The author decides the criteria and that is fair enough but the idea of combinations is greatly over rated and I wouldn't bother with the concept myself. Great player knows how to combine with other great players as history has shown when they play in various club and rep teams. I can't recall Fittler, Johns or Brett Kenny having trouble combining with those around them at any level. A possible exception to the rule was Lyons /Menzies who were top players apart yet so much better together. No wonder Bennett won so many titles , he has seven players in this team . He is a very good coach but when he coaches teams not full of Australian reps his record is much like a lot of other coaches.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Also...considering wingers with great combinations. Newtown in the early 80s had John Ferguson was on one side and Ray Blacklock on the other. These blokes combined brilliantly and seemed to have an almost ESP understanding of where the other would be...I’ve never seen wingers play like it since...
Adam
Guest
Better playing record for a start. Two Storm players are still very early in their careers yet you've chosen them ahead of all time greats. Sorry but you're reasoning is seriously lacking.
Matt H
Roar Guru
Others for speed include Sailor, Semi, Larry Corowa, Willie Carne, Cecil Blinkhorn, Harold Horder Others for high ball include Folau, Inglis, Oates. I give you that Vuna is very very good on this and it is more a modern skill. Agility? Boustead, Hancock, Blacklock, Ferguson, Valentine-Holmes Power - Sailor, Grothe, Oates, Wishart, Inglis, Eddie Lumsden And tryscoring: Irvine (121 tries), Horder (136 tries in 134 games), Johnny Graves (4 tries in a grand final!), Johnny King (scored in 6 straight grand finals), Benny Wearing (144 tries) I suggest you read this: https://rugbyleagueopinions.com/rugby-league-best-wingers-all-time/
Matt H
Roar Guru
Ken Irvine was a sub 10 second 100 yard sprinter and he scored more tries than any other player in the history of the NRL/NSWRL And he did it while playing for North Sydney for most of his career. For mine tries scored is the ultimate for wingers. Which is why no Sailor for mine. In Origin he was not a very prolific scorer.
Matt H
Roar Guru
Definitely, throw in Easts of the 1920's and the Rabbitohs of the late 60's through early seventies and you have a tough group to seperate. Add in Easts virtually undefeated through 74/75 including smashing the Dragons 38-0 in a decider. But the article will be asking who is the second best team of all time, similar to the greatest except for Bradman type of article. 11 premierships in a row can never be beaten or argued against.
The Barry
Roar Guru
So Webcke has a combination with Lazarus and Webcke had a combination with Petero. But you’ve paired Lazarus and Petero and benchedvthe guy with the combinations. I’m getting dizzy. You defend some of your selections by stating that combinations are more important than individual ability. Ok, but then break your own rules wherever you feel like it by picking a player you think is better with no consideration to combinations. Picking these teams are difficult. You’re always going to get different opinions. But if you’re going to make up your own arbitrary criteria you have to be consistent and stick with it, not abandon it whenever you feel like it.
Jason Andrews
Roar Pro
in what way?? Highball contention, speed, agility, quick thinking???
Adam
Guest
The guys of the dominant at George era all worked full time jobs and still dominated the game, I think fitness would not be an issue for them at all
Adam
Guest
Overrated? He climbed out of a hospital bed in GF week to lift Knights over a Manly side that was contesting third straight decider, not to mention leading Knights over a white hot Eels side ion 01. Various individual honours, keeping NSW on top in early 2000s and yet overrated? Interesting
Adam
Guest
This team is so wrong. No room for Gasnier, Provan, Raper? And the two Storm wingers have only been around a few seasons. Ken Irvine, Nathan Blacklock, Johnny King, Eric Grothe snr better options
PNG Broncos fan88
Roar Guru
Agree, Eels should have paid Semi fullback money to stay. The best winger I have seen in a while. I would have him and Rapana in my best team over the erratic Storm duo.