Shocks, snubs, quirks: Top 53 players in Rugby League 26 video game
It’s been eight years since Rugby League Live 4 hit the shelves and finally the NRL has a new game. We analyse the 53 highest-rated players in Rugby League 26 to reveal the biggest surprises and forgotten men.
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Rugby League 26 has dropped and there’s a lot to dissect.
It’s been eight years since the last release of Rugby League Live 4, and the anticipation is high.
Aside from general gameplay and graphics, as well as the addition of NRLW players to the game for the first time, player ratings are the hottest topic among fans.
No prizes for guessing Nathan Cleary is the highest rated.
But none of it is an exact science.
It’s taken a team of game makers and NRL experts months of pouring over historical and current stats for almost 1000 NRL and NRLW players to decide the final ratings.
The team would meet, robustly debate, and put forward their case for every player in the game as they painstakingly narrowed down the biggest stars and their attributes.
As of Wednesday night, NRLW ratings were still being finalised on a time crunch.
And the game dropping on Thursday, we analyse the top rated 53 NRL players for the biggest shocks, drops and the calls they got right.
Scroll down to see the top 53 players in Rugby League 26.
BIGGEST SURPRISE
One of the biggest shocks is how generous the ratings are in general with 19 players rated 90 or higher.
Fans have also been surprised by unusually high kick ratings for players not known for their ability with a boot. For example, Cameron Murray and Liam Martin are both rated 75, while goal kickers Ryan Papenhuyzen and Zac Lomax are rated only slightly higher with 79, equal to Payne Haas?
Strangely, NSW Origin winger Brian To’o is rated higher with an 81 for kicking. Curious.
It seems like unusually generous numbers, even if it’s based on general play kicking.
For ratings alone, Manly captain Daly Cherry-Evans hasn’t had his best season this year, but the veteran halfback has jumped two points higher, rated 89 with this release compared to 87 back in 2017.
Roosters and NSW Origin second rower Angus Crichton has also been given a 91, on par with Dally M Medallist Jahrome Hughes and Canterbury captain Stephen Crichton.
Dylan Lucas (87), Scott Sorensen (87), Ezra Mam (87), Wayde Egan (87), Stefano Utoikamanu (87) Reece Robson (89) and Tom Gilbert (88) are the other big shocks.
WHO GLOWED UP
Since the last release eight years ago, it goes without saying that a lot has changed.
Trawling through the numbers has uncovered some absolute glow ups for some of the game’s best players, who have gone from fringe first graders back in 2017 to top-rated stars for the ‘26 version.
Melbourne halfback Hughes is the best of them. Rated 70 in the last release, last year’s Dally M Medal winner is one of the highest ranked players in the game on 91 in this version.
He’s in good company with Panthers fullback Dylan Edwards (bumped up from 74), Angus Crichton and Isaah Yeo (both were 82) also getting a boost this time around.
Cover boy Nathan Cleary was ranked 85 in his second season of NRL, but is now the game’s best player along with Brisbane star Payne Haas, who made his first grade debut in 2018.
DISRESPECTED
Many argue South Sydney captain Cameron Murray is the best lock in the world but he’s been rated 89, below Brisbane’s Pat Carrigan and Penrith skipper Yeo, both on 90.
In the fullback stakes, Ryan Papenhuyzen and Queensland Origin star Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow have been rated lower than Broncos ace Reece Walsh, who has probably earned a few points on potential alone.
If historical context was taken into account, Tom Trbojevic has also been rated too low. The Manly fullback, once considered the best in the world, as been given an 88 on par with Cowboys No.1 Scott Drinkwater and Tigers prop Terrell May.
Dragons star Valentine Holmes, rated 84 in the last version, also doesn’t feature in the top 53.
Originally published as Shocks, snubs, quirks: Top 53 players in Rugby League 26 video game
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