A Short History of Rugby League
An extract from the fantastic new book written by Will Evans and edited by Nick Tedeschi, A Short History of Rugby League, Evans looks at the 10 greatest players in premiership history. In the book, he lists the 50 top players in the history of the game. The book can be purchased for $39.95 from all good bookstores.
The selection of any ‘best-ever’ list of Rugby League players is an arduous undertaking, unmistakably self-indulgent and destined to elude widespread agreement. But it was an inherently fascinating and rewarding process—despite the hours spent agonising over the credentials of the game’s greatest exponents from 104 seasons of competition.
Naturally, the most difficult aspect is leaving out players altogether. The calibre of stars not included in this list is staggering. How could the influential halfbacks Chris McKivat, ‘Pony’ Halloway, ‘Chimpy’ Busch, Billy Smith, Tom Raudonikis and Steve Mortimer be excluded? But then, who would they replace? The great Queensland forwards of past eras, Herb Steinohrt, Vic Armbruster and Brian Davies were tough to overlook, as were New South Wales counterparts Sid ‘Joe’ Pearce, Ray Price andBradley Clyde. The major diversion from similar lists that have been compiled in the past is the exclusion of Team of the Century winger Brian Bevan—this is on account of him having spent virtually his entire career in England. Placing the NRL ’s current stars among the pantheon of retired legends is also tricky—no doubt the estimation of Billy Slater will have soared again after another season, but this list is reflective of where they stood as of the end of 2011.
The criterion for inclusion was not hard and fast; but longevity, accomplishments at club and representative level, individual achievements and—above all—the ability to influence the outcome of a match all held significant sway. This list is intended as a tribute to Rugby League’s finest. If nothing else, I hope it sparks vigorous debate, along with an appreciation of the men that have graced the Rugby League fields of Australia since 1908.
1 Andrew Johns (b. 1974)
■■ Newcastle (1994-2007): 249 games—80 tries, 917 goals, 22 field goals (2,176 points)
■■ New South Wales (1995-2005): 23 Origins—4 tries, 37 goals, 4 field goals (94 points)
■■ Australia (1995-2006): 26 Tests—12 tries, 89 goals (226 points)
Newcastle halfback Andrew Johns is the most complete player in Australian
Rugby League history—a supreme match-winner. His prodigious talent was
apparent from the moment he cemented the Knights’ No.7 jumper in 1994,
accelerating toward representative honours and spearheading a euphoric maiden
premiership for the club in 1997. Johns’ form in the late-1990s prompted calls that
he may be the best halfback the game had seen; that accolade was almost a fait
accompli a few short years later, and debate shifted to whether he was the best
player of all time. ‘Joey’ won a record three Dally M Medals, two Golden Boot
awards and collected the Clive Churchill Medal in captaining Newcastle to the title
in 2001. Johns is regarded as arguably New South Wales’ greatest Origin player;
he was inspirational as captain in the 2002-03 series, while his performances in
2005 rank among the finest individual displays the game has witnessed. He was
typically brilliant at Test level during a period when Australia was particularly
dominant. Johns’ masterful passing and kicking game, robust and determined
running game, brilliant goalkicking and superb defensive capabilities were honed
by incredible dedication and a fierce competitive streak. Revelations in 2007 that
Johns had been battled drug and alcohol problems and bipolar disorder throughout
his career were condemned in some quarters, but in many respects they made his
list of achievements all the more remarkable—a tortured genius of sorts. Johns was
named at halfback in the ARL Team of the Century in 2008, setting a new
benchmark for all No.7s to aspire to.
2 Clive Churchill (b. 1927 d. 1985)
■■ South Sydney (1947-58): 157 games—13 tries, 75 goals, 2 field goals (193 points)
■■ New South Wales (1948-57): 27 matches—4 tries, 16 goals, 2 field goals (48 points)
■■ Australia (1948-56): 37 Tests—10 goals (20 points)
Clive Churchill’s name is invariably the first put forward when the subject of
Rugby League’s greatest player comes up for debate. The Newcastle fullback went
to South Sydney in 1947 and became the greatest Rabbitoh—the pivotal figure in the
club’s golden age that garnered five premierships in six seasons (1950-51 and 1953-55).
As Australian captain, Churchill led Rugby League in this country into a new era. He
was the undisputed star and linchpin of the green-and-golds’ series victory over the
touring Lions in 1950, breaking Great Britain’s 30-year-old stranglehold on the Ashes.
Churchill was captain in 27 of his 37 Test appearances, captain-coaching the 1952-53
Kangaroo Tour squad and leading Australia to another home Ashes series triumph in
1954. Small in stature, Churchill played like a goliath. He was courageous, intensely
competitive and perfected every facet of attack and defence. Churchill redefined
fullback play, emulating the pioneering running fullbacks Charles ‘Chook’ Fraser
and Frank McMillan, and taking it to a new level—Churchill was the catalyst for
modern fullbacks becoming among the most dangerous attacking players in Rugby
League. His performance against Manly during Souths’ unbeaten run in the ‘Miracle
of ’55’—remaining on the field after breaking his arm to set up the levelling try
and kick the match-winning conversion from the touchline—was Churchill’s most
famous day in myrtle and cardinal, and summed up his greatest qualities. Many of
Rugby League’s pioneering players and administrators—including Dally Messenger
and ‘Jersey’ Flegg—declared Churchill the best player they ever saw. He was named
at fullback in the ARL Team of the Century; came in at No.1 in Rugby League Week
(1992) and Daily Telegraph (2000) top 100 lists voted on by panels of experts; and was
one of the four original Immortals—glowing acknowledgements of the greatness of
the man they called ‘The Little Master.’
3 Wally Lewis (b. 1959)
■■ Brisbane, Gold Coast (1988-92): 80 games—26 tries, 12 goals, 2 field goals (132 points)
■■ Queensland (1979-91)*: 35 matches—7 tries, 1 goal, 2 field goals (30 points)
■■ Australia (1981-91): 34 Tests—11 tries, 2 field goals (45 points)
The 1980s belonged to Wally Lewis, a brilliant, bold and abrasive Queenslander.
An extraordinarily polarising figure, the five-eighth’s status as one of the Rugby
League’s most gifted match-winners and greatest competitors cannot be argued.
Lewis’ legacy is steeped in his performances at Origin level, captaining Queensland
in 30 of his 31 appearances, winning seven of the first 10 series against NSW
and claiming eight man of the match awards. The spectre of Lewis looms over
Origin football two decades after his retirement—still by far the most dominant
player the concept has witnessed. He assumed the Test captaincy in 1984 and led
Australia in 24 Tests, encompassing the unbeaten 1986 Kangaroo Tour and a World
Cup final victory in 1988. Lewis’ lack of success in the NSWRL premiership is the
only accomplishment missing in his phenomenal career. He was the inaugural
skipper and marquee player for the fledgling Brisbane Broncos, but was stripped
of the captaincy after two seasons and ousted from the club a year later, finishing
his career with two seasons for the struggling Gold Coast. But Lewis dominated
the domestic Brisbane competition, the BRL , winning premierships with Valleys
(1979) and Wynnum-Manly (1984 and ’86). His 1984 season is regarded as one of
the most dominant by an individual—premiership success with the Seagulls, and
captaining the Brisbane representative side to victory in the Panasonic Cup, leading
Queensland to an Origin series triumph, and skippering Australia in the 3-0 home
series whitewash of Great Britain. Lewis was the recipient of the inaugural Golden
Boot award following his season of unbridled achievement. The ARL Team of the
Century five-eighth’s reputation as Queensland’s greatest-ever player is rarely
questioned, as his nickname—‘The King’—would suggest.
4 Reg Gasnier (b.1939)
■■ St. George (1959-67): 125 games—127 tries, 20 goals (421 points)
■■ New South Wales (1959-67): 16 matches—13 tries, 3 goals (45 points)
■■ Australia (1959-67): 39 Tests—28 tries (84 points)
St. George champion Reg Gasnier was the next in the line of great Australian
centres after pioneering superstar Dally Messenger and 1930s phenomenon Dave
Brown—but ‘Puff the Magic Dragon’ arguably exceeded the deeds and the ability of
the Easts legends. Gasnier’s unparalleled attacking brilliance saw him chosen as one
of the four original Immortals in 1981, while he was named in the ARL Team of the
Century in 2008. A three-time winner of E.E. Christensen’s NSW Player of the Year
honour, the St. George junior made his first grade debut in 1959. Gasnier missed the
Grand Final with injury in that season, but won six subsequent premierships with
the all-conquering Dragons, scoring three tries in the 1960 Grand Final. His first
grade career garnered an incredible 127 tries in 125 games—a strike-rate among
try centurions bettered only by Harold Horder—and he topped the premiership
on three occasions. Gasnier scored 28 tries in 39 Tests, including Ashes hat-tricks
on the 1959-60 and 1963-64 Kangaroo Tours. His incredible tryscoring potency was
despite his reputation as a wholly unselfish centre and a tremendous provider for his
wingers. Blessed with blinding pace and acceleration, he was a superbly balanced
runner—Gasnier in full stride was as close to beauty as Rugby League came. He
became Australia’s youngest Ashes captain in 1962 and was chosen to captain-coach
the 1967-68 Kangaroos—his third tour to Britain and France. But Gasnier broke his
leg in the first Test loss to Great Britain, and although Australia retained the Ashes,
he broke down again in his comeback game in France. Gasnier retired after the tour
aged just 28—a cruel way for one of the game’s most admired and gifted players to
exit. But the premature departure did little to diminish his aura—the name ‘Gasnier’
still evokes sparkling memories of Rugby League genius for the ages.
5 Darren Lockyer (b. 1977)
■■ Brisbane (1995-2011): 355 games—123 tries, 341 goals, 21 field goals (1,195 points)
■■ Queensland (1998-2011): 36 Origins—9 tries, 22 goals, two field goals (84 points)
■■ Australia (1998-2011): 59 Tests—35 tries, 31 goals, 2 field goals (204 points)
The bare figures of Darren Lockyer’s career are destined to amaze Rugby League
followers for generations to come. Records for most appearances in first grade,
State of Origin and Test football—and unprecedented marks for most appearances
as captain, most tries and longest career-span for Australia—are a testament to the
modern day legend’s durability and longevity. But the numbers tell only part of
the story of Lockyer’s unsurpassed consistency and match-winning brilliance. The
Roma product’s place among Australia’s finest fullbacks of all time was assured in
2003 after he spearheaded the Kangaroos’ incredible 3-0 Ashes cleansweep of Great
Britain in his first series as skipper and was awarded the Golden Boot. He shifted to
five-eighth the following season—a selfless move for the benefit of his Brisbane club
side—and became one of the best-ever pivots. Lockyer won a second Golden Boot in
2006 after captaining the Broncos, Queensland and Australia to stunning successes
in one of the most extraordinary seasons by an individual in the code’s history.
His gliding, incisive running and playmaking class were features of his tenure at
fullback—the position he was named in when Queensland’s Team of the Century
was announced in 2008—while he developed into one of the greatest ball-players
and cool-headed match-winners of all time after his transition to the No.6. Lockyer
can lay claim to being the greatest clutch player Rugby League has ever known. As
his career wore on, Lockyer produced match-deciding plays in the dying minutes
and seconds with incredible regularity. Lockyer possessed remarkable toughness,
while he invariably responded to criticism with a man of the match performance.
6 Johnny Raper (b. 1939)
■■ Newtown, St. George (1957-69): 215 games—57 tries, 4 field goals (179 points)
■■ New South Wales (1959-70): 24 matches—5 tries (15 points)
■■ Australia (1959-68): 39 Tests—11 tries (33 points)
Johnny Raper’s mantle as Australia’s greatest lock-forward has never been
questioned nor challenged, while there are many respected judges—including
the doyen of Rugby League callers Frank Hyde—that assert the man known
affectionately as ‘Chook’ is the best player the game has produced. His textbook
defence—complete with trademark brilliant cover tackling—was without peer,
while his instinctive skill in attack was equally awe-inspiring. Raper’s fitness
and dedication to training was as legendary as his penchant for partying; Rugby
League has never had a more distinctive or loved character. He began his career
with Newtown, but was lured to St. George and won eight straight premierships
with the club (1959-66); Raper captain-coached the Dragons for two seasons after
their world record run ended and his contribution was recognised when the Men
of League named him St. George’s greatest-ever clubman as part of the centenary
celebrations in 2008. He was named the Sun Herald’s Best and Fairest three times
and E.E. Chistensen’s NSW Player of the Year twice. Raper made his Test debut
in 1959 against New Zealand and was an automatic selection until he bowed
out of representative football as captain of the 1968 World Cup triumph. He toured
three times with the Kangaroos, producing his most famous performance in the
‘Swinton Massacre’ that secured the Ashes for Australia on English soil for the
first time in over half a century on the 1963-64 tour, while he captained Australia
to victory in the deciding third Test on the 1967-68 tour. Lock in the ARL Team of
the Century and one of the four original Immortals, Raper was one of a kind—as
Frank Hyde said: ‘When Johnny Raper was born, they not only destroyed the mould,
they pulped it.’
7 Dave Brown (b. 1913 d. 1974)
■■ Eastern Suburbs (1930-41): 94 games—93 tries, 194 goals (667 points)
■■ New South Wales (1931-36): 19 matches—9 tries, 45 goals (117 points)
■■ Australia (1933-36): 9 Tests—7 tries, 26 goals (73 points)
‘The Bradman of League’ handle is fair indicator of the astonishing feats of
the Easts and Kangaroos centre phenomenon of the 1930s, Dave Brown. An
uncontainable attacking force, Brown debuted for Eastern Suburbs at the age of 16 in
1930, and was the overwhelming star of the 1933-34 Kangaroo Tour, setting a record
to stand the test of time with 285 points in 32 matches. Brown became Australia’s
youngest-ever Test captain against New Zealand (22 years and 177 days) in 1935 and
led his country in the Ashes series against the touring Lions in 1936. As captain of the
first two premierships of the Easts dynasty that won three straight titles from 1935-
37, Brown set a host of almost inconceivable records in the 1935 season—his 45 points
in a match and 38 tries in a season have never been remotely challenged, while
his 244 points stood as a record season total for 34 years. He joined English club
Warrington at the end of 1936 for a luminous four-season stint, but returned to finish
his career as captain-coach of the Tricolours, overseeing another premiership in 1940
and retiring a year later. Brown played down his remarkable pointscoring exploits
as a by-product of playing in a champion team, but that sentiment was typical of his
trademark modesty—the records are a tangible marker of a footballing genius of the
highest order. He was a glaring omission from the ARL Team of the Century in 2008,
but was chosen as a reserve in the NSW Team of the Century.
8 Bob Fulton (b. 1947)
■■ Manly, Eastern Suburbs (1966-79): 263 games—147 tries, 26 goals, 58 field goals
(510 points)
New South Wales (1967-68): 17 matches—14 tries (42 points)
■■ Australia (1968-78): 35 Tests—25 tries, 6 field goals (82 points)
Equally brilliant at centre or five-eighth, Rugby League has produced few more
dazzling individual talents than Bob Fulton. A tenacious, unrelenting competitor,
Fulton’s acceleration and evasiveness marked him as one of the game’s foremost
attacking threats during the 1960s and 1970s. Born in Warrington but raised in
Wollongong, Fulton debuted for Manly as a teenager in 1966, and captained the Sea
Eagles from five-eighth in a gallant Grand Final loss against Souths in 1968, aged just
20. ‘Bozo’ starred in Manly’s breakthrough premiership successes in 1972-73 (under
the captaincy of Fred Jones), scoring a mesmerising double in the brutal ’73 decider
that ranks as one of the great individual performances in a Grand Final. Fulton
resumed as skipper and led the Sea Eagles to victory in the 1976 Grand Final, his
last match for the club before finishing his career at Easts. A shock omission from
the 1967-68 Kangaroo Tour squad, Fulton was the top try-scorer on the 1973 and 1978
tours to Britain and France—the latter as captain in his international swansong.
His total of 25 Test tries ranks fourth on the all time list, while he is still the eighthhighest
try-scorer in premiership history. Fulton’s naming as one of the four original
Immortals in 1981 reflects his standing in the game, while he was selected as a
reserve in the ARL Team of the Century, and at five-eighth in the NSW and NSW
Country Teams of the Century.
9 Graeme Langlands (b. 1941)
■■ St. George (1963-76): 227 games—86 tries, 648 goals (1,554 points)
■■ New South Wales (1962-75): 33 matches—19 tries, 40 goals (137 points)
■■ Australia (1963-75): 45 Tests—20 tries, 73 goals (206 points)
Graeme ‘Changa’ Langlands placed fifth in Rugby League Week’s Top 100 poll in
1992 and second in the Daily Telegraph’s Top 100 in 2000—a glowing appraisal of one
of the game’s most accomplished, decorated and admired players. Langlands arrived
at St. George—a club that had just secured its seventh straight premiership—from
Wollongong in 1963. He won four titles in his first four seasons in Sydney (firstly
in the centres and then in his preferred fullback spot) and was the last playing
remnant of the Dragons’ world record run, retiring early in 1976 after six seasons
as captain with his name elevated alongside Gasnier and Raper in the pantheon of
the club’s greats. Fiercely competitive, courageous and regularly brilliant, ‘Changa’
toured three times with the Kangaroos (1963-64, 1967-68 and 1973)—the third tour
as captain-coach. A prolific accumulator of points, Langlands’ phenomenal onfield
deeds overshadowed any story numbers could tell. The freakish tries and
extraordinary play he produced were forerunners to modern superstars such as
Billy Slater. There were disappointments in his wonderful career—the notorious
‘White Boots’ 1975 Grand Final is the best-known—but the multitude of matchwinning
performances far outweigh those aberrations. The shining highlight of
his 45-Test career was undoubtedly the 1974 Ashes decider at the SCG; the 32-yearold
captain was chaired from the field with the crowd chanting his name after
a wonderful display in the 22-18 triumph—a fitting tribute for the great ‘Changa.’
He was named as an Immortal in 1999, and while Clive Churchill occupied the
fullback spot in the Team of the Century selections in 2008, Langlands was chosen
as a reserve in the ARL , and centre in the NSW and NSW Country line-ups.
10 Dally Messenger (b. 1883 d. 1959)
■■ Eastern Suburbs (1908-13): 48 games—21 tries, 157 goals, 2 field goals (381 points)
■■ New South Wales (1908-12): 6 matches—10 tries, 43 goals (116 points)
■■ Australia (1908-14): 7 Tests—4 tries, 16 goals (44 points)
■■ New Zealand (1908): 2 Tests—1 try, 3 goals (9 points)
Herbert Henry ‘Dally’ Messenger was Rugby League’s first superstar, a glorious
exponent of every facet of the game, whose status and fame was almost greater than
the code itself during its formative seasons. The preeminent rugby union player of
his time, Messenger’s defection was one of the most significant precursors to the
breakaway Rugby League movement’s eventual success. Messenger toured Britain
as a guest with the trailblazing New Zealand ‘All Golds’ in 1907-08, and was the
undeniable star again on the pioneering 1908-09 Kangaroo Tour, top-scoring with
155 points. He captained Australia in Tests against England on the tour and at home
in 1910, but declined the opportunity to tour with the 1911-12 Kangaroos. Messenger
captained Eastern Suburbs to a hat-trick of premierships from 1911-13, retiring after
the third triumph. A masterful attacking player and a goalkicker extraordinaire,
Messenger’s deeds with the boot and with ball in hand are entwined within Rugby
League folklore. He was named as a reserve in the ARL Team of the Century and on
the wing in the NSW Team of the Century in 2008—100 years after he spearheaded
the fledgling code. Admirers exhausted every possible accolade and metaphor in
describing his footballing genius, but Messenger’s most common soubriquet sums
him up best—‘The Master.’
