Rugby League thread

Ancient Citizen said:
For me, Hanley is the classiest player I’ve ever seen. Jonathan Davies was up there too, but Alex Murphy has to be number 1 IMO, I watched Leigh beat the mighty Leeds at Wembley, and he virtually won it on his own.
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When Hanley was at his best, he was a professional playing against mainly amateurs. Very, very good player but he had a huge advantage ahead of players from other clubs. At Salford during that time, we had a prison warden, flagger, accountant, roofer, council officer, physio, builder, student, brewery rep and carpet fitter. They could only train two nights a week. When we played bank holiday Mondays, some couldn't play as they had to work.

Every generation of Australian RL players have had at least one better quality player than Hanley, imo.

I got to see Andrew Johns play close-up at various games in Sydney and in the GF against the Eels. Now he was amazing in his prime.
 
jonah62 said:
He came out to play for Sydney Roosters, (East’s as they were called then)
Billy big bollocks
Got fuckin hammered on his debut game, never to show again.
All fur coat and no nickers
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:)

He had a target on his back in Oz, to be fair.

As a finisher, he was very, very good. Personally, I much preferred Jason Robinson, with and without the ball.
 
Manc in London said:
When Hanley was at his best, he was a professional playing against mainly amateurs. Very, very good player but he had a huge advantage ahead of players from other clubs. At Salford during that time, we had a prison warden, flagger, accountant, roofer, council officer, physio, builder, student, brewery rep and carpet fitter. They could only train two nights a week. When we played bank holiday Mondays, some couldn't play as they had to work.

Every generation of Australian RL players have had at least one better quality player than Hanley, imo.

I got to see Andrew Johns play close-up at various games in Sydney and in the GF against the Eels. Now he was amazing in his prime.
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The very best Aussies are probably the best players RL has seen. That said, I think it is quite difficult to judge the best Aussie players vs the best Brits because, for example, their great teams of the 80s and 90s often played a very structured winning brand of rugby league that a made of mine describes as like a Roman Legion.

I’s generalising, but for many big games IIRC, they would march the opposition back by completing their sets of 6, making steady progress and finish their sets with precise kicks. This approach wore the opposition down that the Aussies exploited later in the games. (Obviously, they would batter the lesser nationals in pool rounds of the World Cup).

I think this approach made it more difficult for
people who aren’t RL experts (inc. myself) to sometimes appreciate the individual brilliance of their players unless you saw them regularly for their Clubs. For example, Andrew Ettinghausen (ET) is still revered at Headingley for his performances between 86-89.

The increased accessibility of games on TV might be a factor in why the Aussie team of the teenies with Cameron Smith, Cooper Cronk, Billy Slater and Greg Inglis is considered by some as the best of all time. That said, the Team of the early 90s featuring legends Ricky Stuart, Laurie Daley and Amal Meninga takes some beating IMHO.
 
Tim of the Oak said:
The very best Aussies are probably the best players RL has seen. That said, I think it is quite difficult to judge the best Aussie players vs the best Brits because, for example, their great teams of the 80s and 90s often played a very structured winning brand of rugby league that a made of mine describes as like a Roman Legion.

I’s generalising, but for many big games IIRC, they would march the opposition back by completing their sets of 6, making steady progress and finish their sets with precise kicks. This approach wore the opposition down that the Aussies exploited later in the games. (Obviously, they would batter the lesser nationals in pool rounds of the World Cup).

I think this approach made it more difficult for
people who aren’t RL experts (inc. myself) to sometimes appreciate the individual brilliance of their players unless you saw them regularly for their Clubs. For example, Andrew Ettinghausen (ET) is still revered at Headingley for his performances between 86-89.

The increased accessibility of games on TV might be a factor in why the Aussie team of the teenies with Cameron Smith, Cooper Cronk, Billy Slater and Greg Inglis is considered by some as the best of all time. That said, the Team of the early 90s featuring legends Ricky Stuart, Laurie Daley and Amal Meninga takes some beating IMHO.
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Can see where you are coming from re the organisation and tactics. I think GB were also beaten as the Aussies were bigger, more athletic and technically superior.

I'll forgive you for leaving Alfie Langer off that 90s list ;) Indeed, I think the players of that era are underrated compared to the recent crop.

ET was an excellent player. He has God like status in Sutherlandshire. He would glide across the pitch. It says a lot about the quality in the Kangaroos squads that he was not always a starter and sometimes had to play on the wing. At the time, the Aussie had the likes of Menonga, Daley and Gene Miles - one of the best centres I have watched play the game, yet he is rarely mentioned as a great. Such a classy player.

During the same period, we had Garry 'Jimmy' Jack. He joined us the year he was world player of the year. He was amazing for us. We also had John Cartwright and Michael Hancock at the end of their careers. Fabulous players too.

I would watch some junior RL in Sydney. The quality of the play was on another level to junior RL over here. Technical skills and game intelligence, a different level.
 
Manc in London said:
Can see where you are coming from re the organisation and tactics. I think GB were also beaten as the Aussies were bigger, more athletic and technically superior.

I'll forgive you for leaving Alfie Langer off that 90s list ;) Indeed, I think the players of that era are underrated compared to the recent crop.

ET was an excellent player. He has God like status in Sutherlandshire. He would glide across the pitch. It says a lot about the quality in the Kangaroos squads that he was not always a starter and sometimes had to play on the wing. At the time, the Aussie had the likes of Menonga, Daley and Gene Miles - one of the best centres I have watched play the game, yet he is rarely mentioned as a great. Such a classy player.

During the same period, we had Garry 'Jimmy' Jack. He joined us the year he was world player of the year. He was amazing for us. We also had John Cartwright and Michael Hancock at the end of their careers. Fabulous players too.

I would watch some junior RL in Sydney. The quality of the play was on another level to junior RL over here. Technical skills and game intelligence, a different level.
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tweety said:
As a home and away warrington fan of the 80s and 90s who was at that game, stood on the kippax I don't recall anything like that happening.
Rugby league to this day is a sport where rival fans have got on well together. Virtually every game the supporters would change ends at half time and segregation basically didn't happen.
Your comment is a poor one, put your bitterness behind you and be happy that you've got a sport that is respected by virtually all.
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Well it DID happen,like I said I will never forget it,so your comment on making me out to be a liar is a poor one also.maybe you had gone home in disgust after getting beat again

And you make it out that no bad words have ever been exchanged in the sport,how did the song go again,sang by all teams fans,we hate Wigan,respect my arse
 
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