Rugby league, specifically the NRL, is the toughest sport in the world. A natural response to playing the toughest sport in the world are injuries. And while it would be awesome if they didn't exist, unfortunately, that comes with the territory.

With injuries, comes players playing with and through them. And while you may find yourself grimacing at the gladiatorial nature of a player playing through a broken bone, nothing makes for a better story. It's moments like these that turn great plays, games and players into legends that will far outlast the player that did it.

You only have to look as far back as Round 3 of the 2022 season to find the latest one. Sure, if Ray Stone scores the game-winning try by trying harder than everyone andย doesn'tย injure himself, it's awesome. The fact he tore his ACL and still got the job done, while horrible and sad, makes it a legendary moment.

So, with that being said, let's take a look at some of the toughest, most memorable and most heroic moments and games the game has seen.

3. Tackle two: Sam Burgess

Taking the first run of the night in the 2014 grand final, Sam Burgess charged at fellow Englishman and rival James Graham. Unfortunately for Burgess, the top of Graham's head connected to the point of his cheekbone.

"I broke my cheek," the words Burgess can be seen telling the trainer as he reels away from the play, which has lived on in folklore ever since.

Burgess did that in the first ten seconds of the game. He would go on to play all eighty minutes of the match and lead his team to victory.

With a ridiculous 22 runs for 218 metres and 39 tackles (1 miss), Burgess was not only tough to play on, but he was the best player on the field, ending the night with the Clive Churchill medal around his neck.

Third Tackle: Shane Webcke

In round 24 of the regular season, Shane Webcke suffered a broken arm that would need at least eight weeks to heal. With the grand final six weeks away, Webcke refused to let that deter him.

Training hard, with a secret deal between him and Coach Wayne Bennet to allow him to play in the preliminary final, Webcke lined up against Parramatta. With his arm swaddled like a newborn baby in plastic, resin and foam, Webcke was instrumental in the win.

Roosters Captain Brad Fittler, who the Broncos would face in the grand final, said the Eels should have "run at his suspect arm more often". Well, in the grand final the big rooster's pack did everything they could to dominate the legendary prop.

Webcke stood tough and led his Broncos to victory.