Some player rivalries in the history of rugby league have really stood the test of time.
Three stand out:
3. Mark Geyer vs Wally Lewis
These guys were always at each other and so many times ready to fight.
I remember when a referee saved Wally’s life (no offence to Wally) because Geyer was ready to kill him.
These two legends are the reason State of Origin had regular fights before the NRL outlawed punching.
2. Ben Elias vs Mario Fenech
‘The Falcon’ may have played for more than Souths but this was a 1980s feud at it’s finest.
Every match between Balmain and Souths saw this pair kicking the crap out of each other.
And who can forget the infamous 1986 semi-final, when Elias bit his own hand, blamed Mario for it, and successfully got the big Bunny sent off? To this day, it’s still funny!
1. Paul ‘The Chief’ Harragon vs Mark ‘Spud’ Carroll
These guys absolutely hated each other and their hits set the tone for the Newcastle vs Manly rivalry – with the Knights stealing victory in the 1997 ARL grand final making things even more intense.
To this day, this team rivalry is still massive – it’s even eclipsed Souths vs Easts (Sydney Roosters). Some compare it to the Bloods vs Crips but I disagree – the Knights and Sea Eagles is more like Palestine and Israel.
Not to be a biased Knights supporter, but the rivalry between Chief and Spud is still the best for me.
Roarers, I’ve had my say so now you have yours. What are some players rivalries you liked?
Mick Gold Coast QLD
Roar Guru
Are you referring to Bunny Reilly? He and Ron Coote played in the same pack at Eastern Suburbs for six years. I'm confused!
Rod
Guest
Rabbitohs team v Bucknall circa 70/71 Coote v Reilly apparently was quiet personal at times . Maybe not as obvious as others but they clashed at international level and club level and Coote thought Reilly was an A grade thug
Hoy
Roar Guru
As others have said, Lewis/Geyer was 2 minutes of great theatre, and it is well documented that it was Wally who instigated it to fire up his team after Geyer dominated them for the first 40. Lewis took a calculated risk that himself getting under Geyer's skin would put him off. Wendell and Mad Dog!! Always tried to find each other.
Larry1950
Guest
If it was a feud, Ray Price v Wally Lewis by saying he'd never make it in Sydney. Lewis ran at & through Price for 2 tries in origin not long after. Ray always had a mouth on him.
Noel Shannon.
Guest
What about Ryan and Gould.
Old mate bigJ
Roar Rookie
I agree great list
Old mate bigJ
Roar Rookie
Lots of merit to this article, but not enough content or justification to the article. As stated Lewis and Geyer was a thirty second battle that was over before it began and Kenny and Lewis went for years. Personally if I did this article ( yeah right like that would happen) it would be In no particular order, Lewis v Kenny, smith v Thurston, Johns v Lockyer langer v Stuart, burgees v graham plus Elias v the falcon and spud v chief. Gary jack v belcher could also get a mention. Excellent idea and hopefully the author can expand on his ideas
Big Daddy
Guest
I think it was tommy v everybody although Roy Masters was instrumental in fibro's v silver tails. That was something to behold.
PGNEWC
Roar Rookie
Les Boyd v Darrel Brohman where Les broke Darrel’s jaw in State of Origin this continued on and off the field where both parties were suing each other -it was very nasty
Paul
Roar Guru
There was no love lost between Beetson and Bob O'Reilly - till they became team mates that is
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
More recently Josh Papalii versus Paul Gallen circa the semi-fnal played in Canberra back in 2012 - also known as "the dog act". Gallen couldn't stop whinging about it after the match - but both appear to have made up since. Master stroke by coach Furner at the time that helped decide the match. Have also enjoyed Papalii taking on Jason Taumololo in recent years but these have been pretty clean affairs with brute force up aghainst brute force - nothing nasty in it but good to watch two key big men going at each other
Matt H
Roar Guru
Your list is good, but there are many others just as good: Langer v Stuart Sterling v Mortimer Raudonikis v Mortimer Elias v S Walters Gillmeister and Harragon Wendell v Mad Dog Lewis v Kenny Gary Belcher v Gary Jack One I thought was underrated in rep football was Brent Tate v Jamie Lyon - two young guns who really produced quality clashes. And if we go back a bit: Ian Walsh v Noel Kelly and the original Chris McKivat v Arthur Pony Holloway - the first two great halves in our game.
The Magic Man
Roar Rookie
Chris Close vs Ray Price was a personal one. Steve Walter's vs Elias was also full of hate Wally Lewis had a few punch ups with Michael O'Connor especially in the Origin arena. They toured together as Rugby Union schoolboys so maybe that's where the rivalry came from. Lewis v Geyer, they became mates not long after that game after the King approached him in a bar. Other than that one Origin where no punches were thrown at each other, this was never a rivalry.
Matt H
Roar Guru
Elias also had a thing with Steve Walters, so he must be a hard man for an opponent to love.
Randy
Roar Rookie
Langer vs Stuart is another. Johns vs Kimmorley Mundine vs Daley/Fittler
Sammy
Guest
One rivalry that's often forgotten is Peter Sterling vs Steve Mortimer.
Emcie
Roar Guru
lol, they really need to add the edit function back in
Nat
Roar Guru
Sailor v Mad Dog was pretty good and the banter in between contact was highly entertaining. What about Tommy Raudonikis and Mortimer? Ol' Tommy didn't even leave that one on the field when they both had to share a room in camp.
Nat
Roar Guru
Yeah, I was thinking Walters v Elias too, fueled at State level for the Aust position.
BA Sports
Roar Guru
Exactly what I was thinking regarding Geyer and Lewis. Lewis and Kenny had their faces on the State trophy and battled for years for the Australian number 6 jersey - that would seem like more of a rivalry - though not one that involved much fighting. Chief and the Spud were fun. You always made sure you were in front of the TV for the first hit up when Newcastle played Manly.