Greatest British and Irish rugby league players to play in the southern hemisphere competition

[Dunbar]

On 19/06/2020 at 14:36, DavidM said:

Darren ..?

Just one t away from the perfect pun!

[Dunbar]

1 hour ago, bobbruce said:

I probably only saw a bit more of him than you a certainly not at his best. 
 

by the way what a great idea for another thread. 

 

44 minutes ago, DavidM said:

I was thinking the same reading that ... who would you have really loved to have seen play live 

'tis a good idea. I will create a thread.

[rlno1]

On 20/06/2020 at 10:39, 17 stone giant said:

What was the issue with Shaun Edwards in Australia? Did he not settle for some reason? Did he just not play enough games to show what he could do? (12 matches for Balmain)

I read Benny Elias said that alot of players didn't like him, was very intense.

Here is an interview with Elias, mentions how great Ellery Hanley and Garry Schofield were. I've also heard Andy Currier was rated highly by Balmain.

https://www.richarddelariviere.co.uk/?p=64

Here's what he said about Edwards:

Shaun Edwards struggled here. He wasn’t here for long and he was a lot more arrogant and cocky than the other Englishmen. He was very professional but found it hard to adapt to the Australian way of life. He didn’t seem to regard being here as a pleasure. But he was a great player, a real individualist though. He was the British halfback but couldn’t get into our top side and I think he let that anger out with the way he behaved – just getting the job done and going home after training. He didn’t socialise with us.

 

[rlno1]

Just another thing on Balmain I read poor old John Bentley had a guest stint with the Tigers in 1995 playing 10 games and losing the lot. Tigers were in their rebuilding phase during this time after their great decade of success.

During the 70's there were many great British players in the Australian competition.

Canterbury had Eric Hughes and Mick Adams and were one game off the GF in 1976.

David Topliss was a star for Balmain scoring 5 tries in one game and beating Manly in a semi final with a chip and regather try and Brian Lockwood was brilliant for Canterbury (74 grand final) and Balmain.

David Eckersley played for Cronulla and did well. He won the Lance Todd in 71 with Leigh.

 

[Manfred Mann]

3 hours ago, rlno1 said:

Just another thing on Balmain I read poor old John Bentley had a guest stint with the Tigers in 1995 playing 10 games and losing the lot. Tigers were in their rebuilding phase during this time after their great decade of success.

During the 70's there were many great British players in the Australian competition.

Canterbury had Eric Hughes and Mick Adams and were one game off the GF in 1976.

David Topliss was a star for Balmain scoring 5 tries in one game and beating Manly in a semi final with a chip and regather try and Brian Lockwood was brilliant for Canterbury (74 grand final) and Balmain.

David Eckersley played for Cronulla and did well. He won the Lance Todd in 71 with Leigh.

 

I have now added Mick Adams (died 2017, aged 65, in Tamworth, Australia), Eric Hughes, David Topliss (died of a heart attack in 2008, aged 58, in England), and David Eckersley to my list of players. Thanks for that. 

 

[Dunbar]

If you want to see the Australian answer to the question then NRL.com are running a poll on the best British import of the last 30 years.

Personally, I think there is one clear and obvious answer to the question (and it's not the one that most have voted for).

https://www.nrl.com/news/2020/06/26/whos-best-british-import-of-past-30-years/

[DavidM]

Big Sam is way out in front , but I’m surprised Gareth Ellis isn’t higher up . He was quite superb over a long period . I’d consider him in my deliberations over this for sheer consistency and impact 

[Man of Kent]

The fact Sam Burgess is sitting in an Australian TV studio as a salaried pundit says it all. Undoubtedly the most successful import, if not necessarily the best player. 

[Manfred Mann]

Not enough of the voters in this poll are old enough to have seen Ellet Hanley play. Otherwise Ellery Hanley, rather than Sam Burgess, would have won the contest hands down.

[bobbruce]

I’m not sure how Bateman gets on the list but not Elliott whitehead. Who has been consistently good for a number of years. 

[Dunbar]

17 hours ago, bobbruce said:

I’m not sure how Bateman gets on the list but not Elliott whitehead. Who has been consistently good for a number of years. 

Yes, I agree. I would have Whitehead in there.

Also, not sure if Widdop could be classed as an import as he moved to Australia at 16 and went though all the junior ranks from that point.

[Rioman]

Lee Mossop at Parramatta, Keith Mason at Melbourne Storm.

[White Chevron on Blue]

Graham Williams the scrum half in Swinton's championship winning sides of 62/3 and 63/4 went to North Sydney. He was reckoned to be the fastest half back in Australia at the time. Ken Arthurson signed him for Manly and said " imagine the havoc he can cause with Malcolm Reilly " 

[White Chevron on Blue]

Well I never didn't know "Willie" had made this much impact in Australia https://www.hairlebrity.com/Graham Williams (rugby league)

"Graham Williams ( Rugby League) had a variety of different haircuts during his lifetime. He was widely recognized as an excellent Rugby League player. However the Rugby League player was mainly known for his special sense of fashion and his charming character. Before his passing at age 50 he was repeatedly talked about in magazines and tabloids because of his fine hairstyles. Don't you wish you had hair like Graham Williams(Rugby League) ?"