Super League boasts some amazing talent both from abroad and from home. Next season promises to be another special season littered with highlights from the game’s very best players.
Today we’re continuing our countdown of the 50 best players in Super League looking at players 30-21.
30. Jake Connor
On his day, Connor is absolutely unplayable. He has every skill in the book. He’s a menace who can pass, kick and run with real venom. In truth, he’s any defence’s nightmare and his versatility makes him an even greater threat. There are few better attacking weapons in the league. For me, however, he needs to settle in one position to really hit the heights he’s capable of. Whether that’s at six, centre or fullback remains to be seen.
29. Liam Farrell
Farrell was outstanding last season. 2020 was a fantastic year for the Wigan back-row. He earned a spot in the Super League Dream Team and was a key part of Wigan’s march to the Grand Final and winning their first League Leaders’ Shield since 2012. For me, he’s also forced his way back into England contention.
28. Josh Griffin
Over the last few seasons, Griffin has established himself as one the league’s very best centres. He has everything you’d want from a modern centre with speed and power as well as skill. This campaign, with the possibility of playing in a World Cup, I expect him to get even better. If Hull are a success this season you can expect him to be essential to it.
27. Theo Fages
The French scrum-half has been an understated part of St Helens’ success in recent seasons. The halfback has often been overlooked in favour of partner Lomax, however Fages brings his own fantastic bag of skills which have helped guide the Saints to back-to-back titles. A danger near the line and with a creative spark, he’s one of the league’s top 7s.
26. Ryan Hall
In his hay day, Hall was the best winger in the world and was credited as such three times. The six-time Grand Final winner with Leeds is back in the Super League with Hull KR after not being given a fair crack in Australia. He’ll come back home with a point to prove and I fancy him to prove it with his superb blend of pace and power.
25. Niall Evalds
Evalds has been one of the best fullbacks in Super League in recent years. He’s proven his potential and perhaps exceeded expectations. He was a key feature of Salford’s journeys to Old Trafford and Wembley in the last two seasons and finished as one of the competition’s top scorers in 2019. 2021 sees him join Castleford where he might prove to be the final piece of the puzzle.
24. Jake Trueman
Evalds’ Castleford teammate Trueman only this season becomes no longer eligible for the competition’s Young Player of the Year award and yet it feels like he’s been around forever. The Castleford stand-off has huge potential and is already a class act with an eye for a try even scoring a hat-trick at the age of 18 against Wigan in 2017. I fully expect him to be an England international soon.
23. Oliver Gildart
One player who I expect to be playing for England in this year’s World Cup is Oliver Gildart. The centre has quickly cemented himself as a class act and a key part of Wigan’s impressive backline and it could be said he’s not even hit his peak yet. Despite that he’s already played in four Grand Finals.
22. Konrad Hurrell
Hurrell has well and truly taken to life in Super League over the last two seasons. The big centre has been a focal part of Leeds’ attack scoring plenty of tries but also contributing to winger Ash Handley’s rise as one of the league’s most prolific scorers. This year represents the final year of his initial deal at Headingley so I fancy it to be an impressive one from the Tongan especially with Liam Sutcliffe breathing down his neck for the Leeds centre spot.
21. Stefan Ratchford
The 2018 Harry Sunderland Award winner has been one of Super League’s most consistent and impressive players for the better part of a decade. A superb attacker with a whole host of skills he impresses at six, centre or at fullback. Unfortunately, the Super League title still alludes him but should he perform to his peak in 2021 Warrington’s chances will be greatly improved.