Super League Team of the Decade: Stand-Off

We continue our search for the best Super League Team of the Decade. Here we look at the Stand-Offs.

This is in now particular order.

Rangi Chase (Castleford Tigers, Salford Red Devils and Widnes Vikings)

Chase signed for Castleford in 2009 after a three-year career in the NRL.

The standoff came to life in 2011 as he put in an incredible season, which saw him clock 15 tries in 29 games, almost a try every two games.

This form saw collect the prestigious Man of Steel award and the Albert Goldhorpe Medal.

He was also selected for England in the upcoming Four Nations squad.

Though this was seen as a controversial move by some, as he was born in New Zealand, and made their training squad for the 2008 World Cup.

He ended up making eight appearances for England, scoring one try.

Then in 2013, his season didn’t get off to the best of starts, as he was banned for a dangerous tackle on Zak Hardaker. Not long after, it was announced he had joined Salford Red Devils, as part of the clubs rebrand under the ownership of Marwan Koukash.

But his contract was terminated, along with three others as Salford wanted to free up space on their salary cap.

He signed for Championship side Leigh Centurions in 2016, but left halfway through the season, as it later emerged he was battling depression.

Chase came back after a short time with Castleford for the rest of the season, but was then loaned out to Widnes halfway through the 2017 season.

He ended up staying permanently at Widnes, but a month after that announcement, it had emerged he failed a drugs test and was given a two-year ban from the sport.

The former Man of Steel is now trying to resurrect his career at Doncaster.

Danny Brough (Huddersfield Giants and Wakefield Trinity)

Brough arrived at Huddersfield in 2010 from Hull FC, and quickly established himself as a first choice.

He was appointed captain in 2012 following the departure of Kevin Brown, and just a year later, he guided the Giants to the League Leaders Shield and won the Man of Steel in the process.

The Scottish international was also named as the RLIF Five-Eighth of the Year and he also won the Albert Goldthorpe Medal.

He continued to excel as an attacking stand-off, and he played his part in another solid season in 2015 as the Giants finished third.

But after the departure of Paul Anderson midway through the 2016 season after a poor start, the Giants’ fortunes started to turn and instead of challenging at the top end of the table, they started challenging at the bottom, and were fighting for their Super League lives.

Eventually, Brough went back to Wakefield. He scored in all but one of the games he played for them in 2019. He was missing for seven weeks just after Easter and Wakefield did miss his presence.

If he stays fit, then Wakefield could be a real threat moving forward.

Danny McGuire (Leeds Rhinos and Hull KR)

McGuire had been a revelation since bursting onto the stage in 2001, and had already helped the Rhinos to four Super League titles.

2010 started out as a struggle, but he still scored 27 tries in 32 games, his level best. Although his season didn’t end on the right note as Leeds lost against Wigan in the playoffs.

However, the next year, Leeds were back to their best as they claimed a fourth Super League title in five years with another victory against Saints.

They also made the Challenge Cup Final, but lost against Wigan.

2012 saw more of the same as Leeds got to two Grand Finals, and won the Super League but lost the Challenge Cup. Both were against Warrington.

But surely the moment of the decade came when Leeds won the treble in 2015. McGuire assisted that famous try for Ryan Hall that won them the League Leaders Shield at Huddersfield.

McGuire said goodbye to the Rhinos with  Harry Sunderland Trophy winning performance as Leeds won their eighth Super League title.

He joined Hull KR and his experience was vital for them as they battled to avoid relegation.

Jonny Lomax (St Helens)

Lomax came through the ranks at St Helens, initially as a scrum half in the back end of 2009, but his break through came in 2011.

Just months after playing in his first Super League Grand Final against Wigan, he had the chance to make amends for that with another final against Leeds.

Saints lost on both occasions, but both games drove Lomax on, and he was rewarded with the number seven shirt in 2012.

He was first choice, but couldn’t quite get Saints to another Grand Final, as they lost their semi-final against Warrington.

When Nathan Brown came in in 2013, he switched to fullback. He took to his new assignment with similar enthusiasm and with good results.

He was given the number one shirt in 2014, but ended up missing half of the season with a serious knee injury. The same thing happened a year later.

Following the arrival of Ben Barba in 2017, Lomax then switched to stand off, and has once again led from the front and set a real example.

He finally got his major trophy with the 2019 Super League Grand Final, as Saints were victorious over Salford.

It will be interesting to see how he will develop his game again for another new coach, with many seeing different things in him.

George Williams (Wigan Warriors)

Williams came through the Wigan academy system, and made his debut in 2013, and went on to make over 180 appearances for the Warriors.

His breakthrough year was in 2015, when he was given the number six shirt, replacing the outgoing Blake Green.

His quick feet and turn of pace caught the eye, and he was rewarded with the Young Player of the Year accolade.

He went on to help Wigan win two Super League titles in three years, as they won the title in 2016 and 2018.

In addition to the Super League title, Williams played as Wigan became World Champions, after a win over Cronulla Sharks at the DW Stadium.

The homeborn talent also helped Wigan to Wembley in 2017, but they lost against Hull FC.