With Super League set to return next week, we’re again counting down the top 50 players currently in the league.
Today, we’re looking at numbers 50-41, 10 fantastic players capable of shooting up this list as the season unfolds. So, without any further ado, here’s the start of our list full of exciting youngsters, soaring wingers and superb second-rowers.
50. Will Pryce
It’s highly likely we’ll see Will Pryce at the top of this list one day, but right now, still just a teenager, it’s an achievement of its own to make the top 50. Perhaps the league’s most exciting and promising youngster, his footwork and skill can devastate any defence as we saw last season with some remarkable tries such as his score against Leigh at the end of last year.
49. Jack Hughes
The Warrington skipper is one of the hardest working backrows in the league. With great physicality and tenacity, he’s the Wolves’ standard bearer and a move to loose forward in 2022 could very well bring the best out of him as the role could likely play to his strengths.
48. Ben Currie
Like his skipper, Ben Currie is one of the league’s best backrowers equipped with fantastic work rate in attack and defence. Few forwards are as prolific in attack as Currie with some great explosivity and speed which saw him score a vital try as the Wolves downed Champions St Helens away last year. A good season could see him end 2022 in Shaun Wane’s World Cup squad.
47. Tom Johnstone
It’s perhaps just injury that keeps Tom Johnstone from being higher up on this list. Capable of scoring some amazing tries of all shapes and sizes whether it’s an acrobatic finish in the corner or an exhilarating length of the field effort, there are few players better to watch in the league.
46. Mike Cooper
One of the league’s best forwards in 2021. A physical and dynamic presence down the middle for the Wolves, he gets them on the front foot. The Wire miss him when he’s absent and with Chris Hill no longer at the club he’ll become a key leader of the pack.
45. Jake Trueman
Another player who could be much higher but for injuries, we’ve seen from Trueman since he surprised the world with a hat-trick against Wigan as a teen that he has the makings of a future Man of Steel. Seeing how he develops under a different coach in 2022 will be interesting but if he can stay fit expect him to cause defences problems all year long.
44. Matt Prior
At times in 2021, Leeds’ hopes hung on Matt Prior. The hard working prop seemed to defy the odds and get through insane amounts of work just to keep the Rhinos in the play-off hunt. With a great offload and great distribution from first receiver, he’ll star again for the Rhinos in 2022.
43. Theo Fages
A two-time Grand Final winner at St Helens, there can be no denying that the Frenchman has been key to St Helens’ recent dominance. However, at Huddersfield who flattered to deceive last year, the pressure’s on him to turn the Giants into a play-off side. I fully expect him to shine as the main man at Huddersfield with his unique blend of French flair and game management working nicely with Tui Lolohea and Will Pryce.
The big red machine devastated teams from the back-row for Hull KR last season. His tally of 13 tries saw him finish the season as the highest scoring forward and he could also lay claim to creating a number of tries on Hull KR’s potent left edge.
