Who is Rugby League’s Best?

In the lead-up to Friday night’s Test between Australia and New Zealand much has been said about who will take over as the world’s best rugby league player, following the retirement of Andrew Johns. This is an interesting question. The question itself however is flawed.

Andrew Johns has been a great rugby league player, dominated the game for over a decade and will be a worthy immortal. It is however very unfair to suggest he has been the world’s best player for the last two or three seasons. That distinction currently belongs to Darren Lockyer who has dominated at five-eighth and captained every single side he played for, club or representative, to victory last year.

Interestingly the person most likely to challenge Lockyer for world’s best is his Australian halves partner, Jonathon Thurston. The Cowboys, Queensland and Australian playmaker has kicked on from a great season last year and started 2007 in stellar form. He finished last year on a high after his step put Lockyer through a gap to secure Australia Tri-Nations victory. The laid-back 23-year old has dominated the early rounds of NRL competition and has ensured the Cowboys sit in the top-four.

Yet there are other names that spring to mind when thinking of who could dominate rugby league in the coming years. Most notably Greg Inglis, the Melbourne Storm flyer has the ability to play in many different positions and can dominate from them all. Inglis has vision, as well as speed and strength. He stands at over six foot four and is a shade under 100 kilograms and certainly is the complete package. At just 20 years of age it is hard to argue against him stamping his authority on rugby league.

Another player tipped for great things in rugby league is Canberra Raider Todd Carney. Jason Smith who mentored Carney at the Raiders has come out this week singing the youngsters praises and believes the five-eighth has the potential to become one of the NRL’s elite players. Carney led Canberra to success over the Sydney Roosters last weekend and with more experience in the top grade will hope to challenge Lockyer, Thurston and Inglis for league’s best.

So while rugby league is always looking for another player to stand up and challenge for the world’s best mantle, the world’s best rugby league player did not just retire. Instead he will be leading out Australia on Friday night, looking to add another victory in the green and gold.

Australia in Brutal Form

An overview of the Australian cricket team's performance so far at the World Cup makes for impressive viewing. From the very first ball of cricket's most prestigious event Australia have been a dominant force. Matty Hayden has stamped his authority on almost every match, scoring the fastest century in World Cup history and helping Australia to success.

Together with his opening partner, Adam Gilchrist, the two have now churned out 25 one-day half-century stands, equalling the record held by Australian's David Boon and Geoff Marsh. They have done it in emphatic style, smashing bowling attacks from all over the world to all corners of the cricket ground.

Andrew Symond's timely 63 from 71 balls against Sri Lanka means every single Australian batsman has spent time in the middle and almost all are amongst the runs. Only Michael Hussey will be frustrated with his form, but a promotion up the order to opener ensured a not-out score and some valuable time at the crease against Ireland recently.

Hussey and Shane Watson are the only batsman in the team without a 50 to their names, while the latter has yet to get out in his four innings. Gilchrist is in solid form, with two 50’s so far and Ponting's World Cup campaign has been building beautifully, with a 100 and three 50’s. Clarke has looked in great touch averaging nearly 80 for the tournament and it took a sharp catch to rob him of another high score against Sri Lanka.

Australia's bowlers have combined to form a formidable attack. Evergreen Glenn McGrath continues to impress in his last one-day tournament, rapidly closing in on the record wickets for the World Cup. McGrath currently has 20 scalps and needs just four more to claim the record from Chaminda Vaas.

Nathan Bracken has been a revelation having claimed 14 wickets so far at an average of just 13 and an economy of just over three. Shaun Tait’s rapid pace has snared him 16 wickets at just over 22 per wicket. Although the erratic speedster’s economy is a little worrying at 5.66 an over. Brad Hogg has kept his opponents confused bagging 15 wickets at a shade over 17. Shane Watson remains underdone with less than 25 overs and just the one wicket early in the tournament.

It is hard to see Australia's dominance being challenged in the Carribbean. Shane Watson looks set to overcome his latest injury setback and reclaim his place in the team, providing Australia with added balance. Australia play their final Super Eight match against New Zealand this Friday and will be aiming to extend their World Cup winning streak to 27 matches and enter their semi-final encounter with South Africa on a high.