Our Rugby League panel have each picked an all time Super League dream team, with a twist! Only 3 players could be chosen from each club - and they had to have played in the competition for at least 2 seasons.
Here's the 17 and Head Coach chosen by CHRIS STOTT...
Full Back: PAUL WELLENS (St Helens)
From 1999 through to 2015, Wellens was one of the best and most consistent Full Backs in the game helping Saints to win 5 titles (would've been more but for that awful run of final defeats). Was one of the first names in the Great Britain squad as well.
Winger: JASON ROBINSON (Wigan Warriors)
While he did eventually become a Rugby Union star, Robinson was pure box office at Wigan in the late nighties. Scorer of the first ever Grand Final try in 1998 - what a try by the way - and a dream team winger in all 5 of his seasons in the competition.
Centre: RYAN ATKINS (Warrington Wolves)
In for his prolific spell at Warrington between 2010-2019, Atkins was one of the most potent in his position. Including 3 spells at Wakefield, he scored an incredible 186 Super League tries - the 5th best tally overall. Won at Wembley, but only ever a runner up at Old Trafford.
Centre: SHONTAYNE HAPE (Bradford Bulls)
In 6 seasons at Odsal, Hape crossed the whitewash on average once every other game, winning 3 Grand Finals along the way. And he formed one of the most fearsome Centre-Wing combinations in Super League history with the next man in the squad....
Winger: LESLEY VAINIKOLO (Bradford Bulls)
Big Les! 149 ties in 152 for Bradford between 02 & 07. The ultimate hybrid of pace and power, the Kiwi was lethal. And who can forget the time he absolute bullied Hull FC in 2005, becoming the first man to score 6 tries in a Super League fixture.
Stand Off: LEE BRIERS (Warrington Wolves)
From a neutral perspective, Briers was the one player I loved to watch growing up. He was a maverick with a bit of everything. I was very much a young member of the Briers for Britain Brigade. Loved a drop goal too! 70 in total, once kicked 5 in a game back in 2002. One of the best to not win a Grand Final?
Scrum Half: DANNY MCGUIRE (Leeds Rhinos)
Quite simply the best support player in Super League history. The all time record try scorer in the competition with 247. He also had an excellent kicking game making him an integral part of the highly successful Leeds side of the noughties and early 2010's.
Prop: STUART FIELDEN (Bradford Bulls)
Another member of that incredible Bulls side - before making the very expensive switch to Wigan! Tough, no nonsense, and could play. A GB stalwart, and certainly one of the best in his position to have played the game in the lat 20 years.
Hooker: JAMES ROBY (St Helens)
Mr Reliable! Ever since his debut, James Roby has been an 8/10 or higher for the Saints. How he's only been Man of Steel the once is beyond me frankly. Still, in my books, the best hooker in Super League... but that's a debate for another day.
Prop: JAMIE PEACOCK (Leeds Rhinos)
The best prop to play in Super League. End of. Strong case for best ever player too! Was an incredible second row at Bradford before the switch to Headingley. The man won everything! and had all the attributes you'd ever need in a top class forward. He was in 11 dream teams - that's nearly half of them. And he whacked Willie Mason in THAT test match, so bonus points there.
Second Row: BEN WESTWOOD (Warrington Wolves)
After impressing at Wakefield, Westwood moved to Warrington and soon became a fan favourite. Super Bennie Westwood pretty much played everywhere for the Wire, but was most effective in the Second Row. He had an eye for a try, notching 128 in his Wolves career in all competitions. Was also a brutal ball carrier.
Second Row: CHRIS JOYNT (St Helens)
A great leader who could mix it in terms of skills as well. Stats show he scored a try every 3 games for the Saints. Won 4 Super League titles, including one as Man of the Match in the Grand Final. And lets not forget he scored the greatest try of all time.....
Loose Forward: KEVIN SINFIELD (Leeds Rhinos)
As a 13 or in the Halves, Sinfield was sensational. A kicking game to rival any. A general with a first rate rugby brain. Captain of arguably the most successful team in the Super League era, and a goal-kicking supremo. Sir Kev still holds the all time Super League points record with 3,443 - just shy of a thousand more than 2nd place!
Interchange 1: ANDY FARRELL (Wigan Warriors)
Says as much about Kevin Sinfield that he got the nod at 13 ahead of Farrell - but what a player the Wigan man was. Seven dream team picks and 4th all time points scorer. Widely regarded as one of Wigan's finest.
Interchange 2: SEAN O'LOUGHLIN (Wigan Warriors)
Another unlucky not to make the starting 13 for the impact he's had on Wigan post Farrell. Yes, he's had his injury issues - but when fit, not many players in his position could do what he could do.
Interchange 3: DANNY BROUGH (Huddersfield Giants)
Some may think this is left field, but at the Giants Brough was twice a dream team pick, and guided the club to a maiden League Leaders Shield. As for his numbers, across spell at Hull, Huddersfield and Wakefield the Scot amassed 2,462 points - that's only second to Kevin Sinfield.
Interchange 4: STEVE MENZIES (Catalan Dragons)
Ok, yes...very left field....but! 4 very good years in Super League with Bradford and Catalans after an awesome career down under. He's in for two reasons; 1. I'm out of picks from the "big clubs" 2. he was 38 when he was picked in the 2011 dream team! 38!
Head Coach: BRIAN NOBLE (Bradford Bulls)
This was a tough one with Brian's McDermott and McLennan as well as Daniel Anderson running him close - but for me, Brain Noble edges it after building a Bradford side that was the best in the world, no question. From 2001-2005, the Bulls made 5 straight finals winning 3. The 3 they won, were backed up each time with a World Club Challenge win. Noble had a 76% winning percentage - only equaled by Michael Maguire's two years at Wigan.
Listen to Chris, Rob & Chris discuss their picks and Leigh's promotion to Super League in a special podcast right here ⬇ with all our other episodes available on our podcast page.
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