Will EvansNRL Best of the Decade - Top 10 Rookies of the 2000's
April 29th 2009 08:46
Here are the ten rookies that had the biggest impact on the NRL in their first seasons - most have pushed on rank among the game's elite, while others have faded from view.
1. Israel Folau (2007)
2. Jarryd Hayne (2006)
3. Braith Anasta (2001)
4. Karmichael Hunt (2004)
5. Billy Slater (2003)
6. Sonny Bill Williams (2004)
7. Tim Smith (2005)
8. David Williams (2008)
9. Brett Firman (2003)
10. Chris Sandow (2008)
Queensland preliminary State of Origin squad shock
There weren't many genuine surprises in the Maroons' 25-man squad named this week, although Nick Kenny, Wendell Sailor, Antonio Kaufusi and in-form Warriors' back-rowers Michael Luck and Jacob Lillyman can consider themselves unfortunate to miss out. But there was one glaring selection travesty - the choice of Manly hooker Matt Ballin over Gold Coast's dogged rake Nathan Friend. Friend has been among the form players in the premiership over the opening seven rounds, and along with Michael Ennis, has been streets ahead of the NRL's 14 other No. 9s. I had to check whether Friend was actually a Queenslander, such was my disbelief at his omission. Ballin is a quality player who was crucial to the Sea Eagles' grand final success last year, and is versatile enough to play in the back-row, but it would be an extraordinary call for Meninga, Morris and co. to give him the nod ahead of Friend if anything should happen to Cameron Smith. Meninga's revelation today that he has no room for Titans' wizard Scott Prince in the Maroons' top-17 suggests that maybe Ballin is being considered for a bench utility role, but that would be a huge slap in the face to Friend, not to mention his club captain.
1. Israel Folau (2007)
2. Jarryd Hayne (2006)
3. Braith Anasta (2001)
4. Karmichael Hunt (2004)
5. Billy Slater (2003)
6. Sonny Bill Williams (2004)
7. Tim Smith (2005)
8. David Williams (2008)
9. Brett Firman (2003)
10. Chris Sandow (2008)
Queensland preliminary State of Origin squad shock
There weren't many genuine surprises in the Maroons' 25-man squad named this week, although Nick Kenny, Wendell Sailor, Antonio Kaufusi and in-form Warriors' back-rowers Michael Luck and Jacob Lillyman can consider themselves unfortunate to miss out. But there was one glaring selection travesty - the choice of Manly hooker Matt Ballin over Gold Coast's dogged rake Nathan Friend. Friend has been among the form players in the premiership over the opening seven rounds, and along with Michael Ennis, has been streets ahead of the NRL's 14 other No. 9s. I had to check whether Friend was actually a Queenslander, such was my disbelief at his omission. Ballin is a quality player who was crucial to the Sea Eagles' grand final success last year, and is versatile enough to play in the back-row, but it would be an extraordinary call for Meninga, Morris and co. to give him the nod ahead of Friend if anything should happen to Cameron Smith. Meninga's revelation today that he has no room for Titans' wizard Scott Prince in the Maroons' top-17 suggests that maybe Ballin is being considered for a bench utility role, but that would be a huge slap in the face to Friend, not to mention his club captain.
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