The top five playmakers currently in Super League

Everyone has their own little definition where the term ‘playmaker’ is concerned. In terms of rugby league, a playmaker could be a hooker, a half or a fullback all of whom bring widely different but equally vital elements to attack and help set up tries. Today, we’re specifically talking about players who supply the last pass before the try. The stars who conjure up the big plays and put tries on a plate for their teammates through a perfectly weighted kick, a wild cut out pass or a delicate short ball. So, with that in mind, here’s the five best playmakers currently in Super League.

5. Richie Myler

Richie Myler was always a creative player and that’s why he excelled so much at Warrington next to Lee Briers. Briers would create the platform for Myler, and Myler would then conjure up sweeping attacking plays out wide to carve open defences. That’s why, when he was brought to Leeds to be a general and boss his side around the field, I was a little surprised. Ultimately, that plan didn’t work but he ended up moving to fullback last season and since then we’ve seen his creative juices begin to flow once more. He simply added to their style of attack producing two key plays in last year’s Challenge Cup Final as he came away with the Lance Todd trophy. This season, he’s continued to impress and has come up with 15 try assists this season in just 18 appearances. In all honestly, Leeds look like a different team without him and their struggles at the start of the year can be attributed to his absence.

4. Lachlan Coote

To me, there are few more complete fullbacks in the league than Lachlan Coote. The St Helens number one has everything you’d want from a number one. He can organise but where he really excels is his slight of hand when he’s given the space and time to pick apart defences. That’s what’s led him to 16 try assists this season and why he’ll be a big loss for St Helens when he moves to Hull KR in 2022.

3. Jake Connor

This guy just has it all doesn’t he? In many ways, he’s the most exciting player in the league to watch because you never know what he might do next when the ball is in his hands. That’s what makes him so dangerous in attack and has allowed for him to excel at fullback this season. With 22 try assists, there’s only one player in the league who has registered more than him this term.

2. Sam Tomkins

I’ve been really impressed with Sam Tomkins in 2021. The Catalans fullback has reinvented himself in recent years and is truly reaping the rewards of that reinvention in 2021. He may no longer have the pace he once did, but he’s instead become a smarter player. He now creates space for those around him resulting in Fouad Yaha racking up the tries in 2021 who has now been sniffing around the top try scorer award. Tomkins has 20 try assists to his name but in all honesty, there are few Catalans tries he’s not a part of.

1. Josh Drinkwater

He has 28 assists to his name. That tells you everything you need to know and still baffles me. In 20 appearances this term, he’s been able to create 28 tries directly and that’s not counting the tries he’s played a role in but not supplied the final pass. In 2021, the former Hull KR halfback has certainly found another level which has seen him devastate teams with his potent kicking game. He’s also given a new dimension to the Catalans attack which is perhaps why they find themselves at the top of the table.