Rugby’s First 13

Alright, @Rarererecordings decided to post his all time Union 13, and it looks pretty dam decent. But, I think I’ve got one that can take him on. Granted there will a couple of double ups, but I’ll try and keep it as original as possible. So here goes.

1. Christian Cullen – Although I said I’d keep it original I have to have this guy in my team. Pace, power, step, swerve, he could do it all.

2. Corey Jane – Weird you say, let me explain. Wingers in league need to be good under the high ball; Corey is one of the best. He’s also legendary at working in confined spaces, has an awesome fend and can finish. Coreys a better version of Jason Nightingale.

3. Frank Bunce – This guy had everything for league, defensively strong, take a gap on attack, and didn’t mind getting his hands dirty.

4. Tana Umaga – Another double up, but like Cullen I can’t leave him out. This guy was made for league, bit of shame he ended up playing union to be honest.

5. Jonah Lomu – No need to say much here really, Manu Vatuvei on steroids.

6. 2005 Dan Carter – Back then he was the best player in either code, kick, pass, run, step, dude had the ball on a string. In 2005 he also didn't mind getting into contact, not so much now.

7. Piri Weepu - sorry another double up, but the fact the dudes from Wainuiomata is pedigree enough for me.

8. Dane Coles – This guy might need to bulk up a bit, but he’d be deadly as a prop. Great step at the line, can pass, and a good engine. That’s what modern day league props are all about. A more skill full version of Adam Blair. Also I think he’s had an assault charge laid against him, so……

9. Sid Going – I’m going old school on this one, but Super Sid would’ve been an awesome hooker. Great pass, speed, and feisty.

10. Charlie Faumuina- Big, strong, and the dudes got a step and ball skills. Also a great beard.

11. Buck Shelford – I need some toughness in my pack, welcome a man who had his scrotum rucked off. Big engine, ball skills, oh and he also knocked out that Wales lock with one punch.

12. Brodie Retallick – For a rugby lock, this guy is a freak, catch and pass like a back, hits hard, off loads, plus he looks like something from a horror movie. He’d get into my team on looks alone.

13. Mark Shaw – Old school again, and some people may not even know who this guy is. Played No6 back in the 80’s. Here’s what a rugby scribe wrote about him.​

“Hitman, enforcer-the terms have serious underhand connotations and Mark Shaw bristles about those descriptions of his work but in his time, Shaw seemed to carry an explosive devise under his black jersey.”

That’ll work

14. Jerry Collins – This is self-explanatory really, dude was made for league.

15. Michael Jones – One of the best athletes to play any code, as he got older and slowed down, his defense ramped up.

16. Zinzan Brooke – As far as skilled forwards go, it just doesn’t get better than Zinny. When he got older he added some spite to his game, and his tackling became fearsome.

17. Carlos Spencer – I’ll go with Rarere on this one, Benji before Benji. Lets hope this experiment goes better than Benjis attempt at Rugby……

There you have it, pace, power, skills, with a massive dollop of mongrel.

As a dedicated league fan, whenever I watch a game of the ‘other’ code, I find myself looking at the talent on the field, & wondering which players would fit nicely in a jersey with the double V. So, here’s my list of the rugby players who I’d have loved to see play league – with the only parameter being that I didn’t select any players who have jumped between codes e.g. Brad Thorn, SBW, etc:

1. Christian Cullen – imagine this guy on kick returns in league? One reason he’s my favourite rugby player ever is because he was a fullback who loved to run the ball back, rather than punt it right back down the field.

2. Rene Ranger – got excited when the rumours were swirling that the Warriors were going to sign him. Saw him as either a wing or centre. Hard to stop on attack, solid defender.

3. Sam Tuitupou – remember how hard this guy used to tackle before he left NZ? Probably the single most exciting reason for me to watch him. Small guy, massive hits.

4. Ma’a Nonu – I’ve always admired this guy’s linebreaking ability, & wished that at some point the Warriors would throw him a bag of cash (especially when it looked like no Super rugby franchise wanted him). Ma’ascara would have made a devastating centre in league.

5. Tana Umaga – this one is semi cheating, as he was a junior Kiwi & a star winger for the Lion Red Cup Wainui Lions. Would have been incredible in the centres, or on the wing. On both attack & defence.

6. Carlos Spencer – basically Benji, before there was Benji. Spencer’s game would have translated to league perfectly. He would have undoubtedly been a star in the NRL. Goalkicker.

7. Piri Weepu – in Piri’s younger days, I saw him as a good fit at hooker, but as he proved at the RWC in 2011, he was more than handy as a playmaking half. Can guide the pack around the park, & obviously has the halfback’s kicking game. Goalkicker.

8. Troy Flavell – look at the size of him. Being able to run straight, hard & fast in league would have made him a terrifying prospect to tackle.

9. Aaron Smith – imagine him darting out of dummy half, can pass of both hands, & has that kicking game. Perfect fit at hooker.

10. Carl Hayman – might possibly lack the pace of modern NRL props, but no one is getting past him on defence.

11. Jerome Kaino – tough bastard. You’d get brick wall defense from him, & I envision huge hit ups.

12. Jerry Collins – this one is technically cheating as I played league with Jerry in our teens. All I can say is that no one ever wanted to run at him in league, either. Underrated with the ball in hand, too.

13. Rodney So’olialo – I was always a fan of him as an attacker. I like his versatility as a ball playing second rower/loose forward.

14. Jonah Lomu – you could play him on the wing much the same way as Manu Vatuvei, or he could slot in the second row/prop.

15. Doug Howlett– versatile back - another winger/centre/fullback who is solid on both sides of the field.

16. Chris Masoe – could slot in at prop or second row. Big man, bigger hits.

17. Luke McAllister – another versatile player. In league, he could play in the halves, centres, or as a lock/second rower.

Chur.

@Rarerecordings_