Paul Sculthorpe is one of the greatest rugby league names in history.
Having won everything possible as a rugby league star for St Helens, with a total of four Grand Finals, four Challenge Cups and two World Club Challenges, as well as becoming the first (and currently only) player to win the Man of Steel Award on two consecutive occasions, Sculthorpe also conquered the international scene with England and Great Britain.
The talented loose-forward and playmaker made 27 appearances for Great Britain between 1996 and 2006 and earned four England caps in that time too.
There’s no wonder, then, that Sculthorpe’s top five best players he has played against is an incredible star-studded list.
5. Jason Robinson
Number four needs no introduction either; Billy Whizz as he is aptly known, Jason Robinson, was often a thorn in St Helens’ side when his Wigan team met their biggest rivals.
4. Andy Farrell
Sculthorpe and Andy Farrell had a number of huge battles over the years the two remain good friends with mutual respect for each other.
3. Keiron Cunningham
At number five is someone who would become a firm teammate in his time at St Helens. But with Sculthorpe’s career starting at the Warrington Wolves, Keiron Cunningham became an early foe for the loose-forward.
2. Darren Lockyer
In Sculthorpe’s numerous games against Australia and the two World Club Challenge games against the Brisbane Broncos, there was one obvious man on the opposition that could wrap a rugby league game around his little finger – Darren Lockyer. It’s no surprise, therefore Sculthorpe called him “a phenomenal player and someone I massively respected.”
1. Brad Fittler
Ranking highest is Brad Fittler – a man that could play halfback, loose-forward and centre. With 38 Australia caps under his belt between 1990 and 2001 and ass a player with every facet of the game at the highest level, Sculthorpe rates Fittler as the best he’s faced.