Adrian Morley: My Ultimate Team

28 May 2020

Full back

Iestyn Harris - I know he played a lot at stand off but when Graham Murray moved him to full back for the ‘98 season he was a revelation, winning Man of Steel by a mile. Personally, I think it was his best position. A great Captain also.

Notable mentions: Paul Wellens and Kris Radlinski

Wingers

Jason Robinson - Everything you want in a winger; fast, agile, robust and a willingness to work. He was always a danger in attack and saved his best games for finals/test matches.

Lesley Vainikolo - Probably the most devastating player ever to have played in the Super League. How did you stop this guy? Extremely strong and quick and had a great ability to score a try out of nothing.

Notable mentions: Martin Offiah and Tommy Makinson

Centres

Paul Newlove - Very classy centre. On his day he could rip any defence apart; fast, strong, great balance and footwork for a big man. Disappointed I didn’t get to play more games with him.

Keith Senior - Big, fast, aggressive, strong and a fantastic competitor. It was like having an extra forward in the backs with Keith about.

Notable mentions: Gary Connolly and Kevin Iro

Stand off

Henry Paul - Very gifted player, fantastic footwork whether sidestepping or hit and spinning. Also had great vision and could defend strongly.

Notable mentions: Lee Briers, Tommy Martyn and Danny McGuire

Scrum half

Andrew Johns - I know he didn’t play long in Super League but simply one of the greatest players ever to play our sport.

Notable mention: Sean Long

Prop forwards

Jamie Peacock - I’ve a huge amount of respect for JP, he's the ultimate competitor. You knew no matter what his preparation was like, whether he was carrying an injury or not, when he took to the field you’d get nothing less than 100% from him.

Sam Burgess - He was only young when he left these shores but with his performances for his country you could see the potential and quality in him and the reason he became our greatest ever export.

Notable mentions: Barrie McDermott and Chris Hill

Hooker

Keiron Cunningham - There’s a statute of Keiron outside the St Helens stadium, I think that sums up his contribution to Saints and Super League.

Notable mentions: Terry Newton, James Roby and Danny Buderus

Second row

Paul Sculthorpe - He played the majority of his career at loose forward but I remember packing down with him in the second row for GB early on in his career. Had all the ball playing skills most halfbacks would be envious of but unlike most half backs he was nails to go with it!

Craig Fitzgibbon - Great professional, addicted to the hard part of the sport. Very similar to Jamie Peacock in that you knew you’d always get his maximum effort and preparation for competing in games.

Notable mentions: Chris Joynt, Gareth Ellis and Ben Westwood