NRL Power Rankings wingers: Jordan Rapana, Corey Oates top the list

WHO has been the standout winger of 2016 so far? We rank the five best flyers of the season in part three of our NRL power rankings.

NRL Power Rankings: Wingers.

THE regular season is a third of the way through so it’s time we run the rule over the players leaving their mark on the competition.

Some of the best wingers in the competition have dazzled with their speed and superhuman put-downs.

Check out our power rankings for the best five wingers so far in 2016.

5. Marika Koroibete

Koroibete’s speed and strength make him one of the toughest wing propositions in the competition. He’s a powerful ballrunner as evidenced by his average metres per game of 162 — which is the most of anyone on this list.

The Fijian flyer has crossed for five tries, made 18 tackle busts and seven linebreaks so far.

And you can’t doubt his toughness. Koroibete went down in an ugly tackle against the Warriors where his leg went in the opposition direction to his body. But remarkably instead of leaving the field in a medicab, the 23-year old shook it off and kept playing.

There are areas needing improvement in his game, especially in reading the defence but he continues to mature and his rough edges smooth with every season under his belt.

It’s easy to see why code rivals, the Melbourne Rebels are working hard behind the scenes to convince Koroibete of switching to yawnion ... oops we mean rugby union.

Marika Koroibete against the Warriors.

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4. Valentine Holmes

It’s fair to say Holmes started the season for the Sharks in a bit of a funk. He looked like a disgruntled teenager who hadn’t got his way ... stuck out on the wing rather than in his favoured position at fullback.

But then something clicked and the 20-year-old sprung to life to remind us what all the fuss was about.

Holmes’ game is packed with pace, flair and he’s super confident under the high ball.

He emerged as a clutch play go-to man in 2015 where he kicked two golden point goals to snatch victory and he’s continued this into this season, where a 70-metre bust saw the winger score the try that would eventually hand Cronulla the two points against the Panthers.

His explosive runs have led to 23 tackle breaks and 10 linebreaks (the second most on this list). Holmes has also scored five tries and assisted in two others.

Valentine Holmes sets up a try against the Storm/ Picture. Phil Hillyard

3. Semi Radradra

What can we say about Semi that hasn’t been said before?

After being one of the most consistent edge players in the game over the last couple of years, Radradra has been duly rewarded with Kangaroos selection.

Despite the salary cap dramas swirling at the Eels and the constant chatter about his representative eligibility, the rampaging winger’s form has not wavered.

In one of the most complete performances of the season, the 23-year old single-handedly bashed the Bulldogs into submission in round three. In a powerhouse showing, he scored two tries, assisted in another and ran for a huge 240 metres.

In nine matches so far, he’s score five tries, made 30 tackle busts, eight linebreaks and leads the charge in terms of second-phase play with 15 offloads.

Semi Radradra makes a line break against the Bulldogs.

2. Corey Oates

Big, strong and close to unstoppable when he sniffs the tryline.

If there’s a try that has no right to be scored then Corey Oates will score it.

Just remember his remarkable put down against the Rabbitohs in round eight — where he found the smallest of margins in the corner to plant the ball down, albeit face first with the rest of his body suspended off the ground and out of play.

Standing at 192 centimetres and weighing in at 105kgs, the hulking winger is also deceptively quick for his size, making him one the hardest flank players to contain.

Oates has scored eight tries — most highlight-reel worthy — made 20 tackle busts and the second most linebreaks on the list, with 11.

The 21-year old Queenslander can feel hard done by for missing Kangaroos selection but if he continues his barnstorming form he should be rewarded with a Maroons jumper.

Corey Oats takes on the Knights defence.

1. Jordan Rapana

They’re calling Canberra’s domination on the right edge the ‘Rapana and Leilua’ show ... and we want a ticket! It’s 80 minutes of sheer attacking delight, filled with explosive runs, fends and tackle breaks.

Rapana is in career best form and the Raiders are reaping the rewards.

The 26-year old just can’t be tackled, he bounces off defenders like a pinball and has already registered an eye-popping 45 tackle busts in the first nine rounds.

And then there’s his four-try performance against the Tigers in round eight where he also made 180 metres, a try assist and five line breaks.

That performance was not an anomaly in 2016 — he’s scored eight tries in total, assisted in four, made 12 line breaks and eight offloads.

Jordan Rapana against the Sharks

Originally published as NRL Power Rankings wingers: Jordan Rapana, Corey Oates top the list