Ranking the five best backrows in Super League

In football they refer to the midfield as the ‘engine room’ and in Super League it could be the backrow which could be regarded as such.

But who has the best backrow in Super League?

Here is our top five.

5. Huddersfield Giants
Josh Jones, Chris McQueen, Luke Yates
Huddersfield had one of the best packs in Super League last year and part of that is down to their brilliant backrow. No forward scored as many tries as McQueen in 2022 whilst Josh Jones is also a hard working backrow. Meanwhile, Luke Yates is one of the best loose-forwards knocking about. He works hard and can create something from nothing.

4. Catalans Dragons
Matt Whiteley, Mike McMeeken, Ben Garcia
Mike McMeeken showed his quality for England which was a deserved call up for the dangerous backrow. Meanwhile, Matt Whiteley will soon be called up to the England squad and is one of the most underrated players in Super League. Whilst Ben Garcia is a top notch 13.

3. Leeds Rhinos
James Bentley, Rhyse Martin, Cameron Smith
It was Leeds’ backrow who played a key role in guiding them to an unlikely Grand Final last year. Both James Bentley and Rhyse Martin can find their way to the try line and Martin now holds a world record, along with Liam Finn and Jamie Ellis, for the most goals without missing. As for Cameron Smith he is the perfect blend between a modern day grafting 13 and the ball playing 13s of the past.

2. Wigan Warriors
Liam Farrell, John Bateman, Morgan Smithies
Speaking of 13s, Morgan Smithies is a truly underappreciated forward. He is central to a brilliant Wigan pack as are their top second-rows Liam Farrell and John Bateman. Neither are strangers to big tackles or attacking moments. There is doubt over whether Bateman could still be at the club by the time the new season begins however.

1. St Helens
Sione Mata’utia, Joe Batchelor, Morgan Knowles
St Helens have the best squad in Super League and unsurprisingly the best backrow. When you don’t have Curtis Sironen in your strongest backrow you have plenty of quality. Mata’utia was the best backrow and leading the way in the Man of Steel before he got injured meanwhile Joe Batchelor was the best backrow as the season drew to a close as he scored tries for fun earning an England call up. As for Morgan Knowles he is one of the best players in the league and the heir to the top 13s of the past.