BHQ's Greatest Ever State of Origin Halfback
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mick! said:
Yeah I completely agree, sure Langer is amazing and was particularly good for QLD but Joey has every single facet in his repertoire. He was dangerous running the ball, had every kick known to man, tackled like a machine, did the big things at the big moments and when he got to play halfback for NSW tore us apart on a number of occasions. We were very lucky Kimmorley was the Australian halfback (due to his lovefest with Chris Andersen) and was therefore given the NSW job ahead of Joey who had to settle for bit parts at hooker and off the bench. He is the best I have seen quite easily, Langer was great and I love the guy but he just couldn't do everything as well as Joey did especially when you consider Joey played for a club side that was no where near what Langers Broncos sides were on paper. Lewis's best was before my time so I cannot call him the greatest I have seen I probably can't do him the justice some of you oldies can [icon_wink
Jeba
International
- Mar 4, 2008
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The things I saw Allan Langer do over the years outweigh what Andrew Johns achieved. Langer won 4 Premierships as Broncos captain, and dominated the game at State and International level for more than a decade. Johns has nowhere near that resume. Not to mention Langer coming into Origin in 1987 from the Queensland Cup, when nobody said he could do it. Well he bloody well did it, in fact was Man of the Match in the decider!! Then there was 2001, more than 2 years after his last game on Aussie soil, he comes back and produces one of the best performances in Origin history given what was at stake and the pressure he was under. In fact he and Wally Lewis are the only players in Origin to be named Man of the Match more than 3 times.
Langer could kick, long and short. I've never seen a more dangerous player close to the try line. And nearly all of his long kicks found open space, fullbacks had a devil of a time getting to his kicks on the full. And I don't care what people say, the bloke could tackle.
I wasn't privileged to witness most of Wally Lewis's career, but obviously know he is the greatest ever. But in my years of watching Rugby League, Langer was and still is the best I've seen.
Langer could kick, long and short. I've never seen a more dangerous player close to the try line. And nearly all of his long kicks found open space, fullbacks had a devil of a time getting to his kicks on the full. And I don't care what people say, the bloke could tackle.
I wasn't privileged to witness most of Wally Lewis's career, but obviously know he is the greatest ever. But in my years of watching Rugby League, Langer was and still is the best I've seen.
Joey hurt big guys consistently in defense and had a better long kicking game (IMO of course) than Langer and a short one on par. I also rate Joey's passing game slightly higher than Alf's mainly due to his long passing being so consistently good. People forget how good Joey was running the ball he scored 80 tries in 249 games for Newcastle and he was also an amazing goal kicker, Langer was just as good maybe slightly better in this area scoring 100 in 258. Joey won 3 Dally M's, Provan Summons 5 times, Golden Boot 2 times, Rep player of the year once, 4 MOTM's in Origin, player of the tournament at the 95 world cup as a kid and is the all time leading point scorer in the games history. Both great but I (and many league "so-called" experts agree) Johns was better.
Bannermania
NRL Captain
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ooh whos wrong?[/quote:123w0jsq]Frank the Tank said:
Given. Johns was pure genius, But Langer and Lewis together was like watching pure flowing gold. They complemented each other so well. Can anyone name a partner like that for Johns? No wai!
Hamm.0
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State of Origin man-of-the-match: 4 (Game 2, 1996; Game 1, 2002; Game 2, 2003 and Game 2, 2005)
Forget that for a sec; mthis is Hammo's truth;
At international level, Johns was better than Langer. At club level it is debateable...I mean Johns has more MoM's, Golden Boots, etc. Langer has more premierships and was the nucleus (sp) of the 92-93 and 97-98 Broncos.
At Origin level, Langer stand head and shoulders above Johns. No doubt about it.
Forget that for a sec; mthis is Hammo's truth;
At international level, Johns was better than Langer. At club level it is debateable...I mean Johns has more MoM's, Golden Boots, etc. Langer has more premierships and was the nucleus (sp) of the 92-93 and 97-98 Broncos.
At Origin level, Langer stand head and shoulders above Johns. No doubt about it.
Jeb, that says at the time of his retirement which was 2002, by the end of Joey's career he had 4 MOTM's as well. If Johns got the opportunities in terms of appearances Langer got for QLD he would have won more MOTM's than Langer especially considering quite a few of his Origin appearances were out of position due to the repeatedly ridiculous selection of Noddy at 7. I don't doubt what Langer did one bit he is easily the second best halfback I have ever seen but Johns was something else entirely the guy had everything and would have won as many premierships as Langer if you put him in Langer's club sides (maybe more). I am sure you will disagree but thats life lol.
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