Best players never to play Origin or Test

[GCBRONCO]

Kelly was actually a handy player for Parra.

he was but at the Broncos he was piss weak especially considering the price he was signed for, Minto performed better and for a lot less, its funny though big Pete, you hear all the time about how much of an advantage playing rep football is, then you look at the names of some of those who played and wonder how the hell they did and then others didn't.

 

[Big Pete]

Super League truly was an awful time...

 

[Dexter]

A blast from the past, Des Morris. Absolutely robbed by NSW bias.

Along with Norm Carr, a tragedy he never pulled on the green and gold.

 

[Manifesto]

For me, definately Alan Tongue. During the period when he was on form (?2005-2008), I could never understand why they never picked him. I think he would have been a tough, gritty player and played much the same way Dallas Johnson did for us. I remember Fatty saying numerous times that he couldn't beleive NSW would not pick a player of Tongue's calibre and would not consider a small tough workhorse-type forward.

 

[Alec]

For me, definately Alan Tongue. During the period when he was on form (?2005-2008), I could never understand why they never picked him. I think he would have been a tough, gritty player and played much the same way Dallas Johnson did for us. I remember Fatty saying numerous times that he couldn't beleive NSW would not pick a player of Tongue's calibre and would not consider a small tough workhorse-type forward.

That's a great call. For some reason, defence is very underrated in Origin these days. NSW could have really used him, they didn't have many workers for quite a while. He would have boosted their defensive line, and kept the other forwards fresher for longer.

 

[OXY-351]

I know he has now played for England, but I reckon Chris Heighington should have deserved to represent at least NSW, if not Aus, at some stage. I guess he's just unlucky that there are so many similar backrowers running around at the moment.

 

[Broncoman]

Big Pete.

Earlier today I researched David Peachey and he represented Super League Australia in 1 test, does this count or not to me it does.

 

[Big Pete]

It should, but it doesn't.

Despite Super League having most of the international competition, the ARL doesn't consider SL Kangaroo Test players as official test players.

Strangely NZRL does.

Was a bit of controversy when Locky was attempting to break the appearance record.

 

[Coxy]

Yep. If they count ARL and SL as first grade games, they should count both rep games too.
Happy for them to not count SL TriSeries games as Origin though, because they weren't, but the internationals should be recognised as such.

 

[Broncoman]

When I was reading Darren Lockyer's autobiography he said that his Origin debut didn't feel like one because he played for QLD in the tri-series the year before.

 

[OXY-351]

I think the SL tri-series would have felt more like origin if it was just a bi-series between NSW and QLD. I can sort fo see what they were tryign to acheive my having NZ there, but imo it just didn't have the feel to it that a QLD-NSW series does.

 

[Big Pete]

That's why I'd prefer to see International series against Australia/NZ. A best of 3 would be better than a full on 4 Nations IMO.

Although 4 Nations has it's place.

 

[Broncoman]

When you think about it developing nations like PNG, France, Wales ETC can only get better if they play better teams then developing ones. Just like when the Bangladesh cricket team played Australia in 2003, both the tests and 3 odi's were total wipeouts but it made Bangladesh better.

On topic Nathan Friend is someone that has come to mind. He is just as good as any other hooker on his day his defence is outstanding an he can get a time firing. To bad he has had Cam Smith ahead of him.

 

[subsbligh]

Oh the tragedy of time and place

Denan Kemp might have gone awful close but for Israel Folau purchase and Kemp's exile to/career destroying move to NZ.

 

[Broncoman]

Put this together in my spare time with a little help from BP

Best team that never played origin/tests

1: Luke Patten
2: Amos Roberts
3: Ryan Cross
4: Ivan Cleary
5: Ash Graham
6: Preston Campbell
7: Matt Orford
8: Luke Davico
9: Alan Tongue
10: John Skandalis
11: Feleti Mateo
12: Lance Thompson
13: Shaun Fensom

I still maintain in my years of watching footy Skandalis and Thompson are the best forwards i've seen that never played at Rep Level other than City/Country games, both were great players with a no-nonsense never say die attitude and were champion players for their clubs. The best back is Preston Campbell for obvious reasons with special mention to Ryan Cross. The only reason why I had Fensom is because I couldn't think of any other lock tbh.

 

[Sproj]

Ivan Cleary played for NZ didn't he?

 

[Nashy]

Ivan Cleary played for NZ didn't he?

Only the Warriors.

 

[Anonymous person]

Hazem I think should've played more reps then what he did (1 test and 1 Origin) yet he starred in both of them.

*sings*Lebanon? thats in Queensla.......new south wales*sings*