Rugby league has produced a plethora of tough guys over the years, but who are the most fearsome enforcers out of the current crop?
Are there any hitmen that live up to the reputation of madmen like Wests’ Les Boyd, Roosters star Adrian Morley, or Brisbane and St George’s Gorden Tallis, nicknamed the ‘Raging Bull’?
Here are my five top maniacs.
Sam Burgess
‘Slamming Sam’ combines 116kgs of aggression and a touch of madness when looking to dominate other forward packs. His reckless tackling style has cost him at the judiciary – in fact, he’s only played two games out of the last five due to his affection for loosening heads from necks.
No one can question his toughness, having played most of the 2014 grand final with a broken jaw. Surprisingly, he didn’t hit himself to cause this injury.
Dylan Napa
It’s always the wild ones that strike fear into opposition teams, as you never know what they’re going to do next. Dylan Napa falls into this category – the 109kg prop loves hitting people and captain Boyd Cordner commented last week that he’s well pleased Napa is on his side. Is there any higher accolade?
Napa has a slight problem with consistency, but when he’s on fire, step aside or you’ll be eating dirt in no time.
Martin Taupau
The 111kg Manly enforcer is a dangerous prospect when he’s wearing his cranky pants. He launches himself like a cannonball with or without the ball in hand. And when the dreadlocks fly, there’s usually a bruised and humbled player lying below him.
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Russell Packer
This headhunter packs a punch. Off the filed, he landed himself in jail for punching a man and then stomping on his head, causing two fractioned bones in the face. He pleaded guilty to assault and the magistrate called Packer’s actions “cowardly and deplorable”.
Packer is now a reformed man off the field, which is pleasing news, but who would want to come up against this 120kg hulk on a footy field? Seriously.
James Graham
This 108kg redhead has a fiery temper and when he feels he’s been hard done by, the monster within surfaces. When the steam starts to rise, not many run faster or hit harder than the expressive Englishman and everyone in his path becomes a target.
This list of five is definitely not an exclusive club in the NRL – every team has their fearless warrior. Who would make your list?
Dean james fisher
Guest
Panther James fisher-harris was the most consistant big hitter of 2018 hands down Gagia ,Thurston,Holmes ,winterstein,frizell too many to list the big hit on sam burgess in the Denver test was impressive happened so fast no one saw it the best thing is hes not dirty or a thug but a humble young man
Ruben
Guest
Matt Lodge after a few!
Pickett
Guest
Agree with most on their assessment of Napa. He shouldn't be anywhere near this list. He's filled his quota of one great game for the season - especially when it's near Origin time. Victor Radley is much,much tougher.
Pickett
Guest
Absolutely right about Bunny Reily.Toughest 70kg forward ever. Victor Radley is the reincarnation of Bunny.
Matt H
Roar Guru
Great call. The Axe before there was The Axe.
Magic Lyrebird
Guest
Yeah, that was one really impressive thing about that monster hit by (was it Whare?) late in the Penrith-Bulldogs game. Despite being smashed, Marshall-King held onto the ball! To me that was as remarkable as the bruising tackle.
madmax
Guest
Doesn't come close to Geoff Toovey for toughness mate!
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Guest
Raiders won't be letting Tapine go - I can guarantee you of that. And he's already a rep player for NZ.
peeko
Guest
agree
Forty Twenty
Guest
Tapine has the strength , speed, size and aggro to be a rep player but there is so much competition. He'd be great value at a club without so many forwards and Bennett could use him for sure.
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Guest
I reckon Jack Wighton would give Joe Tapine a run for his money at the Raiders Albo. Some of his shots on blokes headed for the try line have been beauties. For a bloke his size he can put on some real bone rattlers. But I love the way Joe Tapine is in there as soon as there is a sniff of trouble or a head high hit on one of his team mates. Would have loved to have seen who was left standing between Tapine and Sam Burgess after Sam put a high shot on Aidan Sezer.
Albo
Guest
Fair call KK . I did struggle with those two clubs for "toughies".
Albo
Guest
I couldn't nominate Napa. Its been two years since his one big game. As for Marty Taupau , a good player, big and fearsome looking , but not really a hard man. Jake T is tougher at Manly. Packer is now a gentleman. Elijah Taylor tougher at the Tigers. Agree with big Sam B & aging Jimmy Graham.
kk
Guest
Sorry Albo. Differ only on two. Warriors : Luke Issac Knights : Daniel Salfiti
Albo
Guest
For this year I'd nominate one from each club: Dragons - Tyson Frizzel Panthers - Peter Wallace Warriors - James Gavet Storm - Dale Finucane Rabbits - Sam Burgess Roosters - Zane Tetavano Tigers - Elijah Taylor Sharks - Matt Prior Broncos- Matt Gillett Kinight- Luke Yates Raiders- Joe Tapine Se Eagles - Jake T Dogs- David Klemmer Cowboys- JT Titans - Michael Gordon Eels - Manu Ma'u
steveng
Roar Rookie
One of the blokes that was 'tough as nails' and is probably overlooked and never mentioned is 'Barry the 'Bunny' Reilly' he played for the Roosters from 1967-1979 and had a stint at the Sharks in 1972 for one year. Bunny 'the axe' was an unbelievable tackler, i saw him axe big 'Ken Day' (played for Manly from 1965-1968) who was twice his size and knock him out cold on the SCG. That was probably one of the hardest hits I've ever seen in RL. but there were others like, John O'Neill, John Sattler, Noel Kelly, Terry Randall and Gavin Miller would also top the list in those days. For me, Sam Burgess would be right up there as would Paul Gallen, who would all handle themselves against any of those guys.
Jay Ross
Roar Guru
Always good to have a comedian on board.
Jay Ross
Roar Guru
Fair call Paul. The article was meant to focus on the tough 'crazy' guys - the loose canons of the league. So the headline should not have referenced 'toughest' but rather 'craziest'. I agree that the smaller players are incredibly tough, especially the hookers who often take on players who are 20-30kg heavier.
Jay Ross
Roar Guru
Fair call Peeko. The article was meant to focus on the tough 'crazy' guys - the loose canons of the league. So the headline should not have referenced 'toughest' but rather 'craziest'. I agree that the smaller players are incredibly tough, especially the hookers who often take on players who are 20-30kg heavier.
Albo
Guest
Spot on DLKN ! Wallace would have no fear of the 5 listed above. I have a few I might add to the conversation from the recent past. How about Luke O'Donnell ? Hard as nails & quite mad ! What about Chris ( "Louie") Mortimer - tough as old boots . NSW never lost a match in which he played. And for me the toughest pound for pound footballer was little Brett Hodgson, who was belted his whole career of 350 NRL & SL matches and 6 x SOO games and kept turning up every time.