Cunningham vs Roby : Wed Jul 22, 2015 11:14 pm
Since this question has been mentioned once or twice in public since KC claimed Robes is a better hooker than he ever was I figure it's time to really get into the meat of this debate.What skills, attributes, qualities, achievements, stats, awards etc. best sum up both players? And if it is possible to rank one over the other - precisely why?
I'll take a brief stab at the most obvious strengths but will wait to see what others say before I try to work out who was better.
I'll start with Cunningham:
One of those rare physical freaks who seem to skip the years between adolescence and full maturity.
Required almost no "settling in" period following his debut age 17/18 and never looked back.
Low Centre of gravity coupled with explosive power, enormous leg-strength and a jack-hammer handoff which wasn't far behind.
Poacher's nose for tries - and scored a staggering 175. Practically unstoppable near the line.
Whilst rarely mentioned there were few who tackled consistently with better technique and harder. Hit like a pile-driver.
Mentally rock solid. Hardly ever recall him flustered. Didn't give away penalties. Never lost his temper (aside from that one time when Tomkins attempted to attack his injured standing leg). Never seemed to give in (as evidenced by the Mark Smith tackle or the match-winner at Warrington).
At the top of his game for 10+(?) years before suffering the only major injury of his career.
Unquestionably the best hooker in the competition judged over his career.
Immortalized in bronze.