the worlds top 5 players now

[SydneyRoosters]

2 hours ago, Dunbar said:

He's in the conversation for top 5 (this thread) so even better.

Yeah that’s a fair take any of the guys I put 6-10 you could make a strong argument for top 5.

[Number 16]

I'm sick of reading lists of soft-@rsed poncy backs!

Here's the real list of the world's best five:

Jason Taumalolo

Viliame Kikau

James Fisher-Harris

Morgan Knowles

Kenneth Bromwich

[Dunbar]

22 minutes ago, Number 16 said:

I'm sick of reading lists of soft-@rsed poncy backs!

Here's the real list of the world's best five:

Jason Taumalolo

Viliame Kikau

James Fisher-Harris

Morgan Knowles

Kenneth Bromwich

I quite like picking some forwards - but Kenny Bromwich, he isn't in the top 100 players.

[Tippytoe]

4 hours ago, Mr Frisky said:

Its all subjective as no one watches every top player every game and different players play different positions. Common sense would say probably 8 out of the 10 best players probably play in the NRL.

In football some people say Messi is the best ever but most of those people never saw Maradona or George Best.

For what its worth i still don't think I would put any player on a team sheet before a 35/36 year old James Roby.

Of other SL players I've yet to see any winger with a better all round game than Makemson and I can't think of a better prop over the past 3 years than Walmsley and I go to Aus every year and watch NRL games and he's as good as any of them.

 

But none of those players have been tested in the Nrl every week.

[Mr Frisky]

13 minutes ago, Tippytoe said:

But none of those players have been tested in the Nrl every week.

Thats because they don't play in the NRL mate.

None of your choices test themselves in SL every week......

[Dunbar]

32 minutes ago, Tippytoe said:

But none of those players have been tested in the Nrl every week.

All your really doing with this post is admitting that you can't judge the qualities of a player of they don't play in the same competition. 

[Number 16]

57 minutes ago, Dunbar said:

I quite like picking some forwards - but Kenny Bromwich, he isn't in the top 100 players.

Rarely has a poor game and is a real workhorse. Integral to how Melbourne plays. 

[Tippytoe]

1 hour ago, Dunbar said:

All your really doing with this post is admitting that you can't judge the qualities of a player of they don't play in the same competition. 

Correct. 

[GUBRATS]

You've all missed THE Best 

King Edwin of Leyth

Edited October 23, 2022 by GUBRATS

[Tippytoe]

5 hours ago, Mr Frisky said:

Thats because they don't play in the NRL mate.

None of your choices test themselves in SL every week......

My choices?

[Niels]

On 22/10/2022 at 01:14, Jim Prendle said:

Many of the so called superstars of the game have come over here, bombed, and returned with their tails between their legs. Just because you look good whilst surrounded by other great players does not make you the best player in the world.

To be the best you have to excel in all conditions and competitions, etc. Playing in your smoking jacket whilst surrounded by other great players does not make you great.

Samoa’s stand off proved that last week. He looks fantastic in Penrith’s all conquering team, and looked like a chump against England last week.

He looked very good today.

He was awarded man of the match.

He explained afterwards that they had no training sessions together before the England game. Additionally the Australians didn't play their Penrith players the first game to give them a chance to recover.

He was amazing today.

 

Edited October 23, 2022 by Niels

[StandOffHalf]

Roby 

Munster

Olam

Joey

Welsby

[MattSantos]

Standouts in each position, primarily based on me watching NRL over SL.

 

Fullbacks - Tom T, Tedesco,

Wingers - To'o, Makinson, Tupou

Centre - Holmes, Manu

Stand off - Munster, Welsby

Scrum half - Cleary, Hughes

Prop - Haas, Fisher-Harris, Tapine, Burgess

Hooker - Grant, Smith, Koroisau

Edge - Nanai, Kikau, Papali (Parra)

Loose - Jason T, Murray, Yeo, Tino

 

Crikey, we have some absolute superstars!! 

If i was the Redcliffe Dolphins, i'd be all over Welsby.

[graveyard johnny]

15 hours ago, Niels said:

He looked very good today.

He was awarded man of the match.

He explained afterwards that they had no training sessions together before the England game. Additionally, the Australians didn't play their Penrith players the first game to give them a chance to recover.

He was amazing today.

 

have to agree that if we have to face him and that Samoa team again  later on after a lot more training sessions and match time - it will be a totally different proposition 

[Dunbar]

25 minutes ago, graveyard johnny said:

have to agree that if we have to face him and that Samoa team again  later on after a lot more training sessions and match time - it will be a totally different proposition 

Two answers to that.

1. They may be better than the first time against England but only because they couldn't be any worse.  They are not as good as England as a team and we would beat them again.  They don't have the creativity (a man of the match performance against a bunch of part time Greek players doesn't change that) and they don't have the edge players to cause England problems.

2. We won't play them again as they won't get past the quarters if they make it that far.

[N2022]

On 21/10/2022 at 17:00, SalfordSlim said:

Brodie Croft

Kallum Watkins

Andy Ackers

Joe Burgess

Marc Sneyd

Next question please!

PS. I don't watch enough NRL to comment TBH. Would probably be a better debate picking a 1-17 as it's difficult to compare Cleary to Munster to Manu as they play in different positions and have different skillsets.

At the risk of getting a load of flak here, what are the different skill-sets by position in league, maybe with a best player by position? I say this not as a joke or a pop, as I really enjoy watching league. I don't see union as superior but I do see the players having more distinctive roles, especially around the breakdown and set-piece restarts (which often take much longer than they need to), and have much more experience of it to appreciate it. I guess you've got a few who specialise in bashing the yards early in the set, obviously then the wingers / flyers, the one with the useful boot for the high kick or grubber on 5 tackles - am I missing something in terms of who does what or in defence? Genuine thanks for enlightenment.

[Number 16]

2 hours ago, MattSantos said:

If i was the Redcliffe Dolphins, i'd be all over Welsby.

Funny that! My daughter said much the same thing but didn't mention Redcliffe...

[Number 16]

10 minutes ago, N2022 said:

At the risk of getting a load of flak here, what are the different skill-sets by position in league, maybe with a best player by position? I say this not as a joke or a pop, as I really enjoy watching league. I don't see union as superior but I do see the players having more distinctive roles, especially around the breakdown and set-piece restarts (which often take much longer than they need to), and have much more experience of it to appreciate it. I guess you've got a few who specialise in bashing the yards early in the set, obviously then the wingers / flyers, the one with the useful boot for the high kick or grubber on 5 tackles - am I missing something in terms of who does what or in defence? Genuine thanks for enlightenment.

Agreed. If James F-H, Martin, Kikau and Yeo didn't do what they do then Cleary wouldn't be able to produce what he produces.

Alternatively, stick him in the front row and then count his 40/20s.

[MattSantos]

35 minutes ago, Number 16 said:

Funny that! My daughter said much the same thing but didn't mention Redcliffe...

Just dolphins in general?

[MattSantos]

45 minutes ago, N2022 said:

At the risk of getting a load of flak here, what are the different skill-sets by position in league, maybe with a best player by position? I say this not as a joke or a pop, as I really enjoy watching league. I don't see union as superior but I do see the players having more distinctive roles, especially around the breakdown and set-piece restarts (which often take much longer than they need to), and have much more experience of it to appreciate it. I guess you've got a few who specialise in bashing the yards early in the set, obviously then the wingers / flyers, the one with the useful boot for the high kick or grubber on 5 tackles - am I missing something in terms of who does what or in defence? Genuine thanks for enlightenment.

Really quick thoughts as i need a pee.

Fullbacks - On top of helping to organise a defensive line etc, the best full backs offer an option as a 2nd / 3rd runner/pivot on both sides. Usually they're talented runners with a massive engine who are elusive, but then develop an option with the ball. Best example of this is Lockyer who then moved to 6 as he slowed down. Slater never really slowed down but developed his ball handling as he went. That's Tedesco's challenge for me these days to be classed in that regard. Tomkins is a 6/7 playing 1. 

Wingers - Responsible for starting exit sets. To'o is the classic modern winger whose main strength is his ability to carry the ball and find his knees. Quick ptb and the sets starts positively. Speed and explosive with an ability to finish. Wingers who dive in defensively should be bummed. 

Centres - Classic centres are a dying breed. Have to be great athletes and perhaps more importantly than the skills of yore, they need to be defensively sound in their reads; push in and the winger has to follow, slide and the 3rd man in has to slide. Pivotal defensively. Need to be solid with the ball. Manu is all class and a superb centre. Best since Newlove

Stand offs - Classically play 2nd pivot, but still seen to be a split 1st pivot with a 7 with each taking a side of the pitch. Often used as a running option who can pass like Wighton. A bit more mercurial than a 7 as they have fewer responsibilities. Munster being the best example for me. Welsby could be our best since Pit Legs Schofield.

Scrum Halfs - Organise. Distribute at 1st pivot and usually responsible for a kicking game both long and short. I personally prefer a 7 who can run square on 1st like Williams over someone more classical and passy like Sneyd. Cleary is the standout 7 right now and i think he's a great example of what i mean. He's a threat running in the middles and uses this to square people up opening up Luai and those edges at Penrith. Need to be solid defenders, too.

Props - Win collisions, win wrestles. Big enough to play there, but need to be mobile enough not to be flat footed by running 7s and 9s. My own view here is that you can have the best pack but if you've not a 6 or 7 to offer width, you can be nullified. Also, symbiotically, they need to be a threat to enable a 6 and 7 to offer width. This relationship for me is what wins games.

Hookers - Most importantly, clean distribution and a big engine please. Roby's width & accuracy of pass in the GF still gives me a semi.. Akers offers a dynamic squared up running threat that allows Tomkins to play 1st pivot and then we can split 6 and 7. I like this option a lot tbh for England.. McIlorum offers control and the wrestle in the middle. Ideally you'd probably play both, but the very best 9s can do both allowing for another option on the bench. Harry Grant for me is the perfect example of what a 9 should be.

Edge - Dynamic runners with either pace or power, ideally both. Solid defenders who need to be great decision makers to be elite. Play 80 minutes is a must for me. 

Loose forwards - Either a robust 6 and can offer something as a middle pivot, OLoughlin was excellent and Radley is doing this well atm. Alternatively, they're a 3rd prop like Finucane, Sam Burgess latterly or Nelson at Melbourne. Either way, you should ideally play 80 and be able to defend in the middle, so that's again big enough to win collisions and wrestles, but mobile enough not to be stood up.

Lots of love, Mal Reilly.

[N2022]

11 minutes ago, MattSantos said:

Really quick thoughts as i need a pee.

Fullbacks - On top of helping to organise a defensive line etc, the best full backs offer an option as a 2nd / 3rd runner/pivot on both sides. Usually they're talented runners with a massive engine who are elusive, but then develop an option with the ball. Best example of this is Lockyer who then moved to 6 as he slowed down. Slater never really slowed down but developed his ball handling as he went. That's Tedesco's challenge for me these days to be classed in that regard. Tomkins is a 6/7 playing 1. 

Wingers - Responsible for starting exit sets. To'o is the classic modern winger whose main strength is his ability to carry the ball and find his knees. Quick ptb and the sets starts positively. Speed and explosive with an ability to finish. Wingers who dive in defensively should be bummed. 

Centres - Classic centres are a dying breed. Have to be great athletes and perhaps more importantly than the skills of yore, they need to be defensively sound in their reads; push in and the winger has to follow, slide and the 3rd man in has to slide. Pivotal defensively. Need to be solid with the ball. Manu is all class and a superb centre. Best since Newlove

Stand offs - Classically play 2nd pivot, but still seen to be a split 1st pivot with a 7 with each taking a side of the pitch. Often used as a running option who can pass like Wighton. A bit more mercurial than a 7 as they have fewer responsibilities. Munster being the best example for me. Welsby could be our best since Pit Legs Schofield.

Scrum Halfs - Organise. Distribute at 1st pivot and usually responsible for a kicking game both long and short. I personally prefer a 7 who can run square on 1st like Williams over someone more classical and passy like Sneyd. Cleary is the standout 7 right now and i think he's a great example of what i mean. He's a threat running in the middles and uses this to square people up opening up Luai and those edges at Penrith. Need to be solid defenders, too.

Props - Win collisions, win wrestles. Big enough to play there, but need to be mobile enough not to be flat footed by running 7s and 9s. My own view here is that you can have the best pack but if you've not a 6 or 7 to offer width, you can be nullified. Also, symbiotically, they need to be a threat to enable a 6 and 7 to offer width. This relationship for me is what wins games.

Hookers - Most importantly, clean distribution and a big engine please. Roby's width & accuracy of pass in the GF still gives me a semi.. Akers offers a dynamic squared up running threat that allows Tomkins to play 1st pivot and then we can split 6 and 7. I like this option a lot tbh for England.. McIlorum offers control and the wrestle in the middle. Ideally you'd probably play both, but the very best 9s can do both allowing for another option on the bench. Harry Grant for me is the perfect example of what a 9 should be.

Edge - Dynamic runners with either pace or power, ideally both. Solid defenders who need to be great decision makers to be elite. Play 80 minutes is a must for me. 

Loose forwards - Either a robust 6 and can offer something as a middle pivot, OLoughlin was excellent and Radley is doing this well atm. Alternatively, they're a 3rd prop like Finucane, Sam Burgess latterly or Nelson at Melbourne. Either way, you should ideally play 80 and be able to defend in the middle, so that's again big enough to win collisions and wrestles, but mobile enough not to be stood up.

Lots of love, Mal Reilly.

Thanks - helpful insights .

So few more random questions ...

... when the ball's passed deeper behind the decoy flat runners, is it usually a centre or the full back coming into the line?

... if Radley seems to get solid reviews, why did it appear to be him who was running backwards a bit in the second half against France?

... would you say the best teams are fairly predictable but just execute so well the opposition can't handle it? It's what people have said about dominant All Blacks sides in RU before. At times Eng shape v Fra just seemed a bit obvious and a couple of times I wondered whether Eng could have rushed an extra player over to the 'blind side' - actually nearly half the width of the pitch - to build an overload while Fra were short-staffed and backs turned getting back onside, but it never seemed to happen.

[MattSantos]

41 minutes ago, N2022 said:

Thanks - helpful insights .

So few more random questions ...

... when the ball's passed deeper behind the decoy flat runners, is it usually a centre or the full back coming into the line?

... if Radley seems to get solid reviews, why did it appear to be him who was running backwards a bit in the second half against France?

... would you say the best teams are fairly predictable but just execute so well the opposition can't handle it? It's what people have said about dominant All Blacks sides in RU before. At times Eng shape v Fra just seemed a bit obvious and a couple of times I wondered whether Eng could have rushed an extra player over to the 'blind side' - actually nearly half the width of the pitch - to build an overload while Fra were short-staffed and backs turned getting back onside, but it never seemed to happen.

Depends. Sometimes you see a forward passing behind to a 7. Thanks to James Graham for making that popular. On the edges, you are looking at a fullback back who can then either make a decision to either run, pass simple or pass over/in front of a second rower / centre.

Didnt really watch France game in detail to comment.

Best teams do everything well. It's never a silver bullet and yes, to your point, we all know how Penrith and even Aus will play. It's stopping it, both with and without the ball.

[Number 16]

1 hour ago, MattSantos said:

Just dolphins in general?

Erm... I think she meant she'd be all over Jack Welsby!