The Big O’s 15-1: Rugby league’s greatest indigenous players

Rugby league has an amazing history of iconic indigenous talent — but which of these giants of game would you say is No.1? CHECK OUT THE BIG O’S LIST.

The greatest indigenous players in rugby league since 1970

15. MATT BOWEN: The nemesis of tiring forwards, he scored 130 tries during a stellar NRL career.

14. GREG BIRD: With Ricky Stuart, the only NSW player to win consecutive man of the match awards in Origin. Also played in 18 Test matches.

13. SAM BACKO: With an unparalleled 87 per cent winning record in Origin, this powerhouse front-rower had to be included.

12. LARRY COROWA: He was affectionately known as the Black Flash — and for good reason. His blinding pace netted him 24 tries in his debut season.

11. STEVE ELLA: The Zip Zip Man was an integral cog in the Eels backline during their halcyon days of the 1980s.

Steve Ella in full flight for Parramatta.

10. ERIC SIMMS: Premiership-winning fullback and arguably the greatest “toe poker” the game
has seen.

9. DALE SHEARER: A Queensland stalwart for more than a decade who also never put a foot wrong in 20 Test matches.

8. SAM THAIDAY: Twenty-nine Origins coupled with 32 Test matches and there you have an outstanding resume.

7. STEVE RENOUF: In full flight, he was poetry in motion. The Pearl scored 185 tries during his 242-game career.

6. GORDEN TALLIS: There was no more feared backrower during the ’90s than the man referred to as Raging Bull.

Few could match GI’s impact on the game. Image: Gregg Porteous

5. CLIFF LYONS: In another era, he would have played three times as many representative matches. In terms of ball skills, there have been few better.

4. GREG INGLIS: GI left an indelible mark after a sublime 14-year career in which he achieved everything the game had to offer.

3. LAURIE DALEY: The first indigenous player to captain NSW in Origin and his country, not to mention he’s a three-time premiership winner.

2. JOHNATHAN THURSTON: I don’t need to wax lyrical about JT’s accomplishments, suffice to say that rugby league immortality awaits him.

1. ARTHUR BEETSON: Speaking of Immortals, who else could be at number one than this giant of our game. He is the greatest and most respected forward I’ve seen.

When it comes to sheer talent, you can’t go past Arthur Beetson.

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