The Top Five Players In Rugby League – May 2013

The tag of “The best player in the world” gets thrown around a lot these days. For most people there are half a dozen players that you could make a really good argument for. Then again, if you are an English Rugby League journalist you think it is an under sized, under skilled, lock forward player in a second rate team in a third rate competition!

Thankfully for people living in the real world, our choices are of a much higher standard!

Here are the players I believe to be the top five Rugby League players in the world today:

1. Greg Inglis
I named him as the best player in the world in 2012 and this season I’m willing to say he is running away with the title so far once again in 2013. The combination of size, speed, skill, power, pure athleticism, timing, the way he reads the game, Greg Inglis is so good right now that you have to start considering where he is on an all time list of players to have played this game.

2. Cameron Smith
An out and out winner and the most consistent player in the game. He captains the Melbourne Storm, Queensland Maroons and Australian Kangaroos. A fantastic work rate, a brilliant passing and kicking game, Smith could move to the hales tomorrow and be one of the best halfbacks in the game.

3. Billy Slater
With blidng acceleration and speed to burn, Slater is one of the games true game breakers. While he does still have that one shocking mistake in his game from time to time, overall Slater is one of the few players in Rugby League that is simply unstoppable when he is in form.

4. Cooper Cronk
He is one of the hardest workers in the game off the field and that shows on game day, Cronk has the best kicking game in Rugby League. With an under rated running game and the ability to lift his team mates when games are tight, Cronk is a player most look to when a game is on the line….and he usually delivers.

5. Johnathan Thurston
One of the most naturally gifted players in the game, the occasional injury and some inconsistency are the only reasons Thurston is so far down this list. With the ability to produce absolute magic at times, Thurston can win a game with his passing, kicking or his very dangerous running game.

Just a couple of notes….

Three of these players all play for the Melbourne Storm. Is it any wonder they are so dominant right now? Also, all five of them play for Queensland. Is it any wonder they are so dominant right now?

Feel free to have your say in the comment box below!