Van Vollenhoven named as Cup’s greatest overseas star : Fri May 28, 2010 11:06 am
RFL e-mailSt Helens legend Tom Van Vollenhoven has been named by Rugby League fans as the greatest overseas player ever to play in the sport’s oldest and most prestigious knockout competition, the Carnegie Challenge Cup.
The South African won more votes than any Australian, New Zealand or South Seas player in the RFL’s poll to find the superstar who has shone brightest in the Cup’s 113-year history.
Van Vollenhoven made 409 appearances for St Helens between 1957 and 1968, during which time he established a reputation as one of the sport’s all-time greats.
The winger, who was born in Bethlehem in South Africa, scored 392 tries in 408 appearances for Saints and played in two Challenge Cup finals at Wembley, St Helens’ 12-6 victory over Wigan in 1961 and their 21-2 success against the same opponents in 1966.
One fan, David Bamber, described Van Vollenhoven’s 1961 Wembley try as “the greatest ever scored in a Challenge Cup final” while Sheila Molyneux of Bridlington said his two tries in the semi-final victory over Hull that year were the best she has ever seen.
David Wilson, in his nomination, wrote: “Like Eddie Waring once said ‘There will never be another Vollenhoven’ How true. I’m in my sixties now and nobody can compare to him. I relish the day when somebody can.”
Dave Edgell said: “He was quick, had an unbelievable side step and could score tries from any part of the pitch. He was also excellent in defence and would be a star in the Super League era.”
Saints fan Colin Fairclough recalled: “It was so exciting whenever he received the ball, you could feel the intensity and will of the crowd for him to score in such a memorable fashion. I have not seen this atmosphere generated at any rugby league game in the last 50 years.”
At No 2 in the list of greatest overseas players in Challenge Cup history is Brett Kenny, the Australian stand-off who played a starring role in Wigan winning a match regarded as the best in the competition’s history, the 1985 final against Hull FC.
Kenny, an Australia Test great who played for Parramatta, played just one season in this country, the 1984-85 campaign when he scored 19 tries in 25 appearances, including an important try in Wigan’s 28-24 victory over Hull at Wembley.
Hull KR fan Mark Power said: “This Wigan immortal was simply a "genius", who oozed skill, talent and flair along with tremendous footwork and anticipation” while St Helens supporter Adrian Hamilton wrote: “Brett's silky skills were awesome to watch. He had just about everything.”
The last word goes to Wigan fan Mike Bannister, who said: “Brett Kenny was the driving force behind that win and was instrumental in everything Wigan did that day.
“Before the game he looked cool and relaxed, totally unfazed by the situation, as if he was waiting for a bus.
“Once the game started he made Wigan tick and everything from his cut out pass to set up Henderson Gill's long-range try to his step to completely fool the Hull defence before sending Edwards between the posts was sheer brilliance.
“The game seemed as natural as breathing to him and he helped erase the disappointment of the year before. Kenny was simply brilliant.”
The Top 10 list in full:
1 – Tom Van Vollenhoven (St Helens)
2 – Brett Kenny (Wigan)
3 – Brian Bevan (Warrington)
4 – Dean Bell (Wigan)
5 – Robbie Paul (Bradford Bulls)
6 – Chris Anderson (Halifax)
7 – Gavin Miller (Hull KR)
8 – Kevin Iro (Wigan)
9 – Matt Adamson (Leeds Rhinos)
10 – Michael Monaghan (Warrington Wolves)
