Latest Rugby League News

Top 5 British imports of the NRL era

Do you agree with this list?

Published by
Pat Staveley

There's a few fresh faces from the U.K joining a growing crop of English talent in the NRL this year, such as Ryan Sutton, John Bateman and Ryan Hall. They have an opportunity to join a list of players to have succeeded in making the switch from the Super League to the NRL like these five best imports during the NRL era (1998-).

Josh Hodgson (Canberra Raiders 2015- 84 games, 11 tries)

The Canberra hooker is already in his fifth season in the NRL and he's had an enormous impact on the Raiders since his arrival. The crafty rake played a major role in steering the Green Machine to an enormous 2nd place position in 2016 and at one point led the race for the Dally M.

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 30: Josh Hodgson of the Raiders passes the ball during the round 16 NRL match between the Brisbane Broncos and the Canberra Raiders at Suncorp Stadium on June 30, 2018 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

Gareth Widdop (Melbourne Storm 2010-2013 70 games, 10 tries; St George Illawarra Dragons 2014- 115 games, 32 tries)

Widdop is now in his tenth season at NRL level, however it's possible it will be his last with the five-eighth/fullback agreeing to return home to join Warrington in 2020. Widdop began with Melbourne under the tutelage of Craig Bellamy where he won a Premiership in 2012 in the halves alongside Cooper Cronk.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MAY 13: Gareth Widdop of the Dragons looks on during the round 10 NRL match between the South Sydney Rabbitohs and the St George Illawarra Dragons at ANZ Stadium on May 13, 2018 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images)

Adrian Morley (Sydney Roosters 2001-06 113 games, 7 tries)

Morley was an intimidating and unflinching opponent for anyone who faced him in his six years at the Roosters. He only retired in 2015 with Salford at the age of 38 showing that he still had a lot to give. Morley won a Premiership in just his 33rd game in the NRL, playing off the bench after returning from a lengthy injury. Morley played a further 80 games for the club, cementing his position as an English great in the NRL.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 8: Adrian Morley of the Roosters in action during the round five NRL match between the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks and the Sydney Roosters at Toyota Park April 8, 2006 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)

James Graham (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 2012-17 135 games, 9 tries; St George Illawarra Dragons 2018- 26 games, 1 try)

The tough red-headed Pom is the type of player that every club wants in their team. The front-rower was a constant in the Bulldogs side for six years and always consistent, leading his side from the front whether he was captain or not. The former St Helens star returned to the Red and White colours last season when he signed for the Dragons, and played a big role, starting every game in their march to the finals.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 06: James Graham of the Dragons in action during the round five NRL match between the St George Illawarra Dragons and the South Sydney Rabbitohs at UOW Jubilee Oval on April 6, 2018 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images)

Sam Burgess (South Sydney Rabbitohs 2010-14, 2016- 163 games, 37 tries)

After making a name for himself at Bradford in the Super League, Burgess made the switch to Souths where he's about to begin his ninth season for the club, spending one season away at Rugby Union club, Bath. Burgess has only improved each season, and was an incredible presence in the side's 43-year drought-breaking Premiership in 2014, scoring a career-best 10 tries in 26 games.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 15: Sam Burgess of the Rabbitohs celebrates victory during the NRL Semi Final match between the South Sydney Rabbitohs and the St George Illawarra Dragons at ANZ Stadium on September 15, 2018 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

Honourable mentions

(Gareth Ellis, George Burgess, Mike Cooper, Elliott Whitehead)

Published by
Pat Staveley