Who are England's world class players? Who is just below? : Sat Dec 29, 2012 9:49 pm
I define "world class" as a player who could expect a contract with a top 12 NRL club, with more than one bidder, if he is interested.Here is my list of undoubted world class:
Sam Tomkins
Ryan Hall
Jack Reed
Gareth Widdop
Sam Burgess
Gareth Ellis
James Graham
James Roby
My list of "just below," meaning good enough to get a contract from one of 16 NRL clubs, and be a regular starting or interchange player, but not quite in high enough demand to have several bidders:
Tom Briscoe
Josh Charnley
Zak Hardaker
Kallum Watkins
Rob Burrow
Danny McGuire
Kevin Sinfield
Rangi Chase
Shaun O'Loughlin
Gareth Hock
Ben Westwood
Chris Hill
Eorl Crabtree
Luke Burgess
Personally I think that Hock, Charnley and Hardaker would move into the "world class" category by this time next year if they can turn on great performances in the World Cup.
I also think that I will be putting Kieran Dixon into the "just below" category by this time next year.