Manly's Backline

[Buzz Killington]

A big reason why they are unselfish is they have soany guys that follow these breaks, they have more guys that always pop up on either side of the runner.

 

[LittleDavey]

A big reason why they are unselfish is they have soany guys that follow these breaks, they have more guys that always pop up on either side of the runner.

Like the Broncos used to have...

 

[Bull Shark]

Easy to have a world class 1-7 when your club is exempt from the salary cap ...

 

[KingWebcke]

Don't get the fuss over Taufua, I think he is very overrated right now. He is great coming out of Manly's end and is a beast when running the ball but his game is still really rough at the edges. Kinda like Uate.

Really like the rest of Manly's backline though. Stewart, Lyon, Foran and DCE are incredible. Matai is a grub but I think he is quite a good player.

 

[Alec]

Agreed. He seems like a mini-Uate at this point. He'll probably get better, but he's not one of the best wingers in the comp.

 

[Broncoman]

When in form Uate imo is the best winger in the world and Taufua plays a similar game to him with speed and power being his best asset. He isn't the best winger in the comp but he has been one of the most consistent.

 

[KingWebcke]

Even calling Taufua the one of the most consistent is a bit generous. I think the consistency that people see right now is just because he is playing in a very good team that is also playing very consistently. Sitting on the end of a loaded Manly backline is a pretty easy ride. Swap Taufua out with plenty of wingers in the NRL and they'd be one of the most consistent in the comp too, even if that aren't otherwise.

Rating Taufua so highly comes down to him scoring a tonne of tries, which is a bit dodgy because in many cases, the number of tries that a winger nabs depends far more heavily on the team playing inside them than their actual ability.

 

[mieko]

.....is Killer. So silky and slippery like a Snake.

their second man play with Stewart to Stewart to Lyon then Williams is the best around.

 

[Anonymous person]

lyon is better than hodges IMO. lyon just consistently kills it, probably sets up twice as many as hodges does too.

 

[Kimlo]

Lyon plays in a much more consistent team in general and is behind way better halves, Hodges plays outside Maranta so it's easy to see why he doesn't set him up much. Remember when he had a good player named Yow Yeh outside him? They had a killer combination.

 

[Big Pete]

Lyon has been the best centre in the competition since 2009.

However, if we were to say who's been the best in the world, I'd give that honor to GI.

The wing position is far more difficult. Before last year, I'd tell you it was Uate without question. However, his inability to really improve his technical ability speaks volumes and while he's developing a healthy combination with Gagai down the right - he's been outpunted by his fellow winger in James McManus.

An arguable Top 10 based on reputation
Brett Morris
Akuila Uate
Jason Nightingale
Blake Ferguson
Krisnan Inu
Nathan Merritt
Manu Vatuvei
James McManus
Jorge Taufua
David Williams

No real order and I'm sure there's a Pom or two who could feature - Ryan Hall in particular seems pretty damn decent.

 

[Porthoz]

No Josh Hoffman?

 

[Alec]

Darius Boyd too. He doesn't play on the wing for his club, but he's still a better winger than most.

 

[Browny]

Hodges sets up a lot of tries but Maranta bombs em

 

[Alec]

He doesn't really set them up in the same way Lyon does or someone like Matt Gidley used to do. Where all the winger had to do was jog a bit and fall over. Hodges doesn't really draw the winger in like that, which I guess gives him more opportunities for some individual brilliance.

 

[Big Pete]

No Josh Hoffman?

This is what I mean about it being so contentious, all you need to do is in a bit of good form and you're half a chance.

Hoffy has been damn good this year and if it was based on form he'd be there in a heartbeat but on reputation there's a few ahead of him.

Doubt I'll hold that opinion for long tho. Guy looks like a very handy backline utility type.

Didn't include Boyd since he only plays there because he isn't good enough to play fullback.

"But what about GI"

GI has actually played in the position I mentioned within the past 5 seasons. Can't say the same for Boydy.

 

[Porthoz]

It's not just current form.
Hoffman is a born finisher IMO. He knows how to find the try line, has excellent awareness, strength, speed and agility, which puts him in the top 10 for sure!

 

[Big Pete]

The purpose of the list wasn't to convey who I personally rate as the best wingers in the competition - just how I feel the general public would vote if given the choice.

Because I'd never have Nathan Merritt in that my, ever. :laugh: However, I admit I'm bias on that situation - he isn't my type of player.